Politics & Government
2nd District Candidate Charles Rayburn Looks to Teach Through Protest
The 58-year-old Dolton man has become known for his unrelenting criticism of the many forums leading up to the Feb. 26 primary election.
On Thursday, Feb. 7, I met Charles Rayburn at Governors State University, just after a candidate debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
Rayburn declined to be videotaped but shared a lot of his views via an audio interview. The candidate was as passionate as ever about his stance on the issues as well as his beef with the way this election has been handled thus far.
Key Issues
Housing
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Rayburn says as an insurance producer he has done more to stop foreclosures than his opponent Ernest B. Fenton, because he lets people know up front when they can't afford to buy a home and gives them the right deductibles when they can.
Gun Legislation
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Rayburn says a ban on assault rifles is not enough to fight gun violence. He says he refuses to get into the "10-clip game" because kids are getting shot by one bullet. He referenced shooting deaths, such as that of Hadiya Pendleton, as examples of incidents where a ban on assault rifles would not have helped.
Noteworthy Quotes
"500 people died this year. Gunshots wounds and everything like that in their wards. They're proud of the fact that they've been fighting for gun legislation for 20 years? Well you've been ineffective. If you sit in your car for 20 years, trying to start it and start it, and it don't start, you've got to do something different." - On his opponents' stances on gun control.
The Takeaway
Rayburn is one of the most interesting candidates in this election. He stood in the bleachers at Rich Central after he was not allowed to participate in the debate there. He called for several candidates to be booted from the Governors State University debate, saying they showed up late.
Rayburn's protesting has done wonders for his name recognition, but do the voters truly know where he stands on the issues?
What do you think? Has Charles Rayburn convinced you to vote for him? Tell us in the comments!
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