Justin Oberman to Seek Democratic Nomination for Lieutenant Governor

September 3, 2009

Entrepreneur, former federal transportation, homeland security official offers new leadership to help revitalize economy, restore integrity in government

CHICAGO, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Pledging to devote his public service career to rebuilding Illinois' economy and helping reform its government, entrepreneur and former federal transportation and homeland security official Justin Oberman today formally announced his candidacy for the 2010 Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

"I'm running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe that I can provide fresh ideas and proven leadership to help us face the twin challenges of rebuilding our economy and restoring dignity and ethics to state government. With economic output down and confidence in our institutions of state government at an all-time low, it's time for new ideas to tackle our toughest problems," said Oberman.

"The people of Illinois need to have confidence that their elected leaders will move beyond bickering, political gamesmanship and outright corruption to solve the very real problems facing our state. Springfield is a mess, and we need leaders who have not been part of that mess to help clean it up," Oberman said. "We need fresh faces to restore integrity to our government and fresh ideas to build a new, clean-energy economy."

Oberman, 35, of Chicago, is co-founder and Managing Director of NEXA Capital Partners, which helps raise private capital for leading-edge businesses in aviation, transportation and green technologies. Before the age of 30, he served as a senior official in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and in the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Norman Mineta - the only Democrat in the cabinet of former President George W. Bush. Following 9/11, he helped establish the Transportation Security Administration, helping create the agency in 2001-02 and rising to a senior executive position from 2003-05. He also served as a member of the Homeland Security Policy Advisory Committee for President Obama's campaign.

Oberman said he hoped to carve out a role with the next governor that would take advantage of his expertise in transportation, homeland security and in emerging industries with the potential for creating new jobs.

"Illinois can be a welcoming place for job creation through innovation -- by developing alternative energy, clean technology and other environmentally sound products and services. As lieutenant governor, I intend to work in partnership with the governor to reach out to entrepreneurs, inventors and investors to bring them to Illinois. Federal stimulus dollars and wise state and local government investments can kick-start economic renewal, but the bulk of this growth must come from the private sector," Oberman said.

While representing a new generation of leadership, Oberman noted that his progressive politics and commitment to public service were instilled in him years ago by his parents.

His father, Marty, an attorney, is a former Chicago alderman noted for independence and fighting corruption during his time in the City Council. His mother, Bonnie, heads the Chicago office of a global organization that develops curriculum and trains teachers to equip students to fight bigotry, hatred, and genocide in the U.S. and around the world.

"From a young age, the importance of public service and giving something back to the community was made clear. I am proud of this legacy and look forward to the privilege of serving the people of Illinois," Oberman said.

Following today's announcement, Oberman set out on a weeklong campaign swing to talk with voters across Illinois. He was scheduled to begin his statewide tour September 5 in East Peoria with a speech to the United Auto Workers Local 974 Labor Day Family Picnic, and make subsequent stops in Carbondale, DuQuoin, Belleville, Granite City, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Bloomington, Rock Island, Rockford, DeKalb, Joliet and other communities, ending up back home in Chicago on Sunday, September 13.

Updates on Oberman's announcement tour and additional information throughout the campaign are available at www.obermanforillinois.com.

SOURCE Oberman for Illinois