GALESBURG, Ill. – Seventeenth District Congressman Eric Sorensen only been in office since January for his first term.
Now, he already has an opponent in next year’s election.
Galesburg-based philanthropist Ray Estrada has announced a run for the seat as a Republican.
Estrada describes himself in a news release as “a successful entrepreneur, humanitarian and family man.”
The campaign says 44 years ago, Estrada fled Nicaragua during a civil war.
He is president of the “Estrada Global Foundation” which provides aid to refugees.
“We need to improve our schools to be the best in the world; We need to ensure our communities are safe and prosperous so everyone has the opportunity to build the life of their dreams,” said Estrada, in a prepared news release. “We must work together, and together we will end the reckless spending and limit government overreach. Washington is destroying our opportunities to get ahead with failed policies by driving up the cost of living, closing off opportunities, and unleashing a violent crime wave.”
While Estrada’s campaign says the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee has called it one of its “top target districts,” Sorensen — a former T.V. meteorologist — defeated two-time Republican candidate Esther Joy King in November.
