Rock Island Today

17th Congressional District Republican candidate Esther Joy King recently attended a seminar on election integrity.

“We had a great showing at our Election Integrity Seminar on Saturday!” King posted on Facebook. “The Illinois Conservative Union gave an informative presentation about protecting your vote by keeping election laws local, stopping a federal takeover by liberals in Washington, DC, and discussing opportunities for people to personally help protect our election process, including becoming a poll watcher or election judge. These positions are critical to protecting the integrity of our elections.”

King is running on several issues, including national security, supporting and protecting veterans, police, and American workers, the right to life, healthcare, and education.

"As a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, I understand the importance of national defense, and I’m committed to a strong military and to honor the brave men and women who serve this nation," she said. "It is vital to provide our military with the training and resources they need to handle the mounting security challenges and threats around the world."

King is an East Moline attorney who formerly worked in Kabul, Afghanistan, for an education non-profit. She is a member of the Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps of the United States Army.

According to the Quad City Times, King is out-fundingraising her opponents in the race for the seat. She is running to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), who will not seek re-election after serving six terms in Congress.

Because of the gerrymandering Democrats used to keep the seat, the 17th District was originally known as the "rabbit on the skateboard" district. The Democratic edge appears to have been reduced in the most recent redrawn map. FiveThirtyEight calls the race "very competitive." A group of seven Democrats is also vying to succeed Bustos.

The 17th Congressional District includes parts of Bloomington-Normal and parts of western and northern Illinois