The following is the response to a Northern Star questionnaire sent to all local candidates for the 2020 election. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and consistency.

Name:

Seth Wiggins

Occupation:

Attorney, Sergeant in Air National Guard

Education: Juris Doctorate (NIU College of Law); B.A. in Political Science (NIU); A.A. in Arabic Studies (Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Monterey, CA)

Position running for:

State Representative Illinois House District 90

Related experience:

Dixon City Planning Commission (2018-Present)

NIU student Association Senator for District 1 in 2012-2013 school year during undergrad

Why are you running:

Illinois is on track to a state of disrepair and desperately needs accessible, focused leadership that understands the needs of the District. My diversity of life experience allows me to connect with darn near everyone I meet, make friends with those across the aisle, and collaborate to make progress from which we all benefit. As a 12-year military service member, I’ve been tested under stress overseas and look forward to bringing that grit-and-grind approach to Springfield. I am a foster parent, former military intelligence, volunteer victim advocate for survivors of sexual assault, and practice law as an attorney locally. I look forward to applying that skill set to help my neighbors here at home.

Goals you want to accomplish if elected:

Improving accessibility, equality, and service is paramount. My biggest goal is to pave way for a transformative opportunity for upcoming generations to earn education subsidies in exchange for civil service in understaffed state agencies. It’s my dream to create a way for folks to afford education like I was able to do with my G.I. Bill earned through military service but without a military service requirement. Importantly, this program, which I’ve released as The Sauk Valley Plan, will provide a workforce for state administrative agencies (i.e. DCFS, DNR, SOS, etc.) who are sorely under-resourced for the mission we expect them to complete.

Why students/residents should vote for you:

I’m a normal guy who is ready to bust my butt to put people first. I’ve never met a person I wasn’t able to find common ground with, and building on our commonalities–not our points of division–is exactly what we need in state leadership right now.

The Northern Star is publishing the candidates’ responses to our questions as they are given to us. The Northern Star is not endorsing local candidates.