Democrat wants to unseat a 3-term Republican in ultra-conservative Illinois district
Edwardsville nurse Jennifer Todd wants to do something that many believe to be highly unlikely — win Illinois’ 15th Congressional District as a Democrat this fall.
Todd emerged victorious from a four-way primary last month, earning 45.8% of the vote. She’ll face incumbent Republican Mary Miller of Hindsboro in November.
In the low-cost primary, Todd pitched herself as someone who understands the struggles of the working class, having previously used Medicaid for health care, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to eat and drawing unemployment.
“I understand the struggle, and that's where a lot of people feel that they can relate to me,” Todd said in a recent interview.
But even if Democrats overperform in the off-cycle elections, when the party in power tends to struggle, Todd will still have a massive hill to climb in one of the country’s 35 most conservative districts.
“You’re starting to see things turn,” Todd said of her chances in November. “Can’t really say, ‘They’re see…