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Meet Samantha
My name is Samantha J Gasca, and I'm a lifelong resident of New Lenox, Illinois (apart from 10 years for college). I am the Republican Nominee for Illinois State Senate District 19, in which I was the first Latina to win this 3-way primary, by the grace of God. However, I was raised in a Democratic household, which I believe provides me a different perspective on my traditional viewpoints.
I first studied at Illinois State University, where I received a Bachelor of Science and my first Master's Degree in Agriculture, Swine Nutrition, and Behavior. I conducted research at Texas A&M University for my PhD program (for three years; I am ABD/All But Dissertation, meaning I completed everything for my PhD with the exception of my final paper/dissertation), which I left to pursue work in a more person-oriented/compassionate type of field. Later, I completed my second Master's Degree at Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago as a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies (2021). For the past 9 years, I have served in various ministry roles, such as a prison chaplain (for a men’s prison in Illinois), pastoral counseling for domestic violence situations, trauma, sexual abuse, gang violence (in the inner-city Chicago), etc. I worked with the homeless, those addicted to drugs/alcohol, and those living other kinds of destructive lifestyles (like I did for some years in college).
My campaigning background includes being asked to run for New Lenox School Board District 122. I lost big time, but I learned a lot. During the process, I was asked to run for Illinois Senate. I said no consistently, but eventually I conceded to the fact that I wasn’t going to stand for those who commit acts of Domestic Violence in leadership. I also felt led to do so with a heart to defend our future, our rights, and our children (E.g., every child should have a quality education: reading/writing and arithmetic at grade level; in addition, any career with children is a pedophile’s dream job, so why would we want to expose our children to “sex education” through someone who we have no general clue as to whether or not they are a pedophile?). As a young child, I myself was sexually abused, which is why I became a child advocate, woman’s advocate, and a defender of people's rights. We have to protect the innocent from this pressed manipulation that is exposing young minds to sexual ideologies at such a young age (the information is too mature for a young mind to handle; however that’s the plan: get in the mind’s of children while they are young so they are easy to manipulate when they are old)... especially coming from people we should be able to trust. We have to make an impact now for future generations. I also believe parents should have rights. It shouldn't be the teacher raising the child; the parent should have full control over topics of morality. No teacher should have the right to direct their moral beliefs regarding sexuality and politics into our children. Although many teachers are amazing and would never try to impress their political (and/or sexuality) beliefs on children, the loudest and most egregious seem to think it is acceptable. It is unpredictable whether or not children in public schools are going to be placed with a teacher who brainwashes our children into their political agendas (either way).
In addition, I want to lower taxes by working with my legislative partners. There is no reason our seniors should pay up to $10,000 a year in taxes when their children are already grown and moved on (about 75% of property taxes can be attributed to the school board). This tax revenue is directed toward classrooms in minute ways; rather, they are used for needless/reckless spending, inefficient use of funds, administrative overhead, and paying extreme salaries to administrative officials. I would also like to revamp our education curriculum. It's time our students graduate at the reading level respective to their grade, and are much more prepared for college and the workforce. I also will support trade schools. I am not against Unions, IVF, supporting those living in manufactured homes (as I did for 3 years, many seniors in our district live in manufactured homes).
Why have I chosen to run? Simple. I love God, and I love people.
Looking a little further back into my motivation for running for public office, I grew up in a home where I was physically, verbally, mentally, emotionally, and sexually abused. This motivated me eventually to become an advocate for the underdog. This specifically took me to the area of working with children who are experiencing similar things to what I had experienced. At one point, I worked with sex trafficked children; however, I am now a Pastoral Counselor working with children and adults in traumatic situations. As well, I work with children/adults in ministry and non-ministry volunteer/mentoring settings.
I stand for a few things:
◦ Doing the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing, even in the face of adversity
◦ The United States Constitution, and maintaining its purity
◦ Standing by the Truth, even when it is difficult, and even when I must admit hard things to myself (introspection)
◦ Standing up for what I believe in 100% of the time
◦ Knowing when it’s a good time to keep quiet and listen
◦ The cowboy code of honor
◦ Speaking truth in love, yet having enough respect to be direct
◦ Being someone who strives to create unity, yet does not tolerate disrespect, unkindness, rudeness, or hatefulness
I will fight for:
◦ Constitutional Purity and Rights
◦ ...there to be unequivocally no walls up preventing, inhibiting, or hindering constitutional rights (e.g., the Second Amendment)
◦ For the Constitution to be upheld (e.g., Illegal Immigration issues, the result of which being our taxes having soared exponentially in 2024)
◦ Ceasing all Illegal Immigration (not all "immigration," mind you, only that which is illegal; I am all for legally entering the United States as a "Legal Immigrant"); thousands upon thousands of undocumented children are flooding across the border into sex traffickers' delight... the United States is one of the world's top hotspots for the distribution of minors for the purposes of sex trafficking/human trafficking, seemingly creating even more asperity for those coming across the border who are seeking a "better" home. Does this not lack in compassion?
◦ Parental rights— your voice deserves to be heard— your children and their futures are at stake
◦ Taxpayer rights— your voice also matters— you pay your equal share of taxes, and you deserve to be heard
◦ Protecting vulnerable minds and prioritizing mental health
◦ Quality education and technology
◦ Innovation and Developments in the areas of technology, mathematics, and science
◦ School safety for our children, school choice, and parent's rights
◦ Efficient use of funds, lower taxes, and tax rebates, starting with full audits and a Zero-Balance Budget
If you feel my character warrants it, I would appreciate your generous contribution. In truth, I would appreciate your support in any way available, especially in prayer.
For those who wish to be part of TEAM GASCA:
PayPal - @Gasca4Senate
Thank you for your interest. I am honored you took your time to support me!
God bless you,
Samantha J Gasca
