00:00Good morning, Illinois Democrats. I am Congresswoman Robin Kelly, but I'm running hard to be your next U.S. Senator.
00:09What a great crowd we have gathered here today, and I want to give my thanks to Mark and all the county chairs for putting on such a wonderful brunch year after year.
00:20And I have to give a shout out to Dan Kovacs. I know what staff does, and frankly, as a person who got the speaker two years in a row now, I feel like I'm a party.
00:30His staff. So thank you, Dan. And thanks to all of you. I'm proud to stand with you and my fellow Democratic colleagues.
00:39I want to give a personal and big thank you to both Senator Dick Durbin and Loretta Durbin for their tireless work on behalf of Illinois.
00:48Thank you so much. Thank you for all the lives that you've impacted.
00:53Thank you to Bonnie and Linda. And of course, again, thank you to Bill Houlihan. You are simply the best.
00:59So thank all of you. I also want to give a shout out to two of my former colleagues.
01:06A shout out to Susana Mendoza. We know she's not running for comptroller again, and I just want to thank her for all of her work.
01:13And we can give her a round of applause.
01:15And also thank you to A.G. Kwame Raul and all the Democratic AGs across the United States.
01:28It's because of them our democracy hasn't completely been torn apart.
01:32I don't need to tell you, any of you, that we are at a serious crossroads in our country.
01:38Trump and the GOP are on a cruel, vengeful, just evil rampage, trampling democracy and ripping away people's rights.
01:47You know the people from Texas are here.
01:50They're standing up to the real threats to our democracy.
01:53And not just for Texas.
01:55They're doing it for all of us.
01:58They deserve much applause and much thank you because they're trying to save us.
02:06We don't need to look any further than the big, ugly betrayal of a bill that became law.
02:12That horrible law will impact everyone's life, except if you're the well-off and well-connected.
02:18But know that we are fighting back in D.C.
02:21And I'm one of those fighters.
02:24I've been an effective leader on every level of government.
02:28I have proudly served my district for 12 years.
02:31My district is a microcosm of Illinois.
02:34Urban, suburban, and rural.
02:36From the south side of Chicago to the 4,500 farms in my district.
02:42I know Illinois.
02:43I know how to deliver.
02:45And I have delivered.
02:46I'm no stranger to a fight.
02:49And I'm no stranger to getting things done.
02:52I stand aside Hakeem Jeffries to stand up to Trump, special interests, and his billionaire friends.
02:59I took on the powerful gun lobby to pass the first major gun safety legislation in 30 years.
03:09I've passed numerous bills around health care.
03:12I brought the issue of maternal mortality and morbidity to the United States Congress.
03:21I've supported our workers with bills aimed at improving the workforce and economic development.
03:26I have a 100% voting record with the union.
03:29I know that times are tough for too many people.
03:38And frankly, they're pissed off.
03:39I'm pissed off.
03:41But we know Donald Trump and his cronies aren't going anywhere soon.
03:44So it is critical that we have leaders who can build and keep strong relations in the House and Senate that are able to work across the aisle to get things done, as long as we don't give up our values.
03:57To hit the ground running on day one, and to bring proven and effective leadership to the Senate.
04:04But what can you do?
04:05I ask you, please don't grow weary.
04:08That's what they want you to do.
04:10They want you to get lost in the chaos.
04:12But we don't have time for anyone to be on the sidelines.
04:15We may be fighting with one arm behind our back, but as I say, I'm fighting until this arm falls off and I'm going to start kicking.
04:23But I need all of you to start kicking with me.
04:28People have said so many times, Robin's too nice.
04:32Robin's too nice.
04:33I am nice.
04:34I'm a very nice person.
04:35But believe me, I am a fighter.
04:38And those who I've fought, they know I'm a fighter.
04:41I'm not afraid to show up, speak up, or stand up, if it means doing the right thing, no matter who the bully is.
04:50But this moment demands more than just fighting.
04:53This moment needs a leader who can achieve real results.
04:56And I have done just that.
04:58I am a workhorse.
05:00I am not a showhorse.
05:01And that's what we need in the Senate.
05:03So let's do this, Illinois.
05:05We are all in this together.
05:07Let's move our state and country forward.
05:11And as the late, great John Lewis said, it's time to get into really good trouble.
05:16Really good trouble.
05:17So let's do it.
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