Rock Island Today

Esther Joy King, 17th Congressional District Republican candidate, is taking time off from the campaign trail to attend mandatory Army training.

“We’ve been working hard to reach out to voters and it’s starting to pay off,” King said in an email. "National analysts are paying attention saying this is one of the most likely seats to flip to red and it’s because of supporters like you and the hard work we’ve been doing. However, our win in November is anything but guaranteed and after this weekend, we’re less than 100 days until the election so now is the time to ramp things up, not slow down."

King said her team has a plan to keep the momentum going while she's gone.

“If you have time to join our volunteer team knocking doors, making phone calls or recruiting your friends and neighbors to join, I’d greatly appreciate it. Let us know if you can help. Email info@estherforcongress.com to sign up for a shift,” she said. “While I know this is not a great time to step away from the trail, I made a commitment to the Army and serving our country is more important than politics.”

King held an election integrity seminar in late May. 



“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, D.C. 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,” she noted at the time, Rock Island Today reported.

King is an attorney from East Moline who formerly worked in Kabul, Afghanistan for a nonprofit devoted to education, according to her website. She also serves in the United States Army's Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps.

A so-called “Red wave” is expected in the Nov. 8 election as the GOP is projected to take over the U.S. House of Representatives with King’s race being a focal point in Illinois, according to Roll Call.