| Rosanna Pulido | |
|---|---|
| Republican candidate for U.S. Representative for Illinois, 5th District |
|
| Election date April 27, 2009 |
|
| Opponent(s) | Michael Quigley (D) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 in Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Chicago |
| Alma mater | Prairie State College |
| Profession | Business |
| Religion | Christian |
| Website | www.rosannapulido2010.com |
Rosanna Pulido, born 1956 in Chicago, was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in the April 7th, 2009 special election for Illinois's 5th congressional district. Pulido won the Republican Primary on March 3, 2009.[1] However, she was defeated in the general election by Democratic Cook County Commissioner Michael Quigley, who garnered 70% of the vote among a heavily Democratic electorate.
Rosanna Pulido is a Mexican American who was born and raised in the 5th Congressional District. She is a descendent of Mexican immigrants. Her grandfather was a Mexican farmworker and her father, who was born in Texas and raised in Mexico, moved to the Chicago area as a young immigrant to find work and make a better life for himself and his family.[2] She went to Catholic grammar schools and high school and attended Prairie State College.
In 2005, she founded the Illinois Minutemen organization, which seeks to protect the borders of the United States with the help of volunteers. Her expertise regarding the effects of illegal immigration has rendered her invitation to numerous radio and television programs, both on state and national level. She has also produced and hosted Caregivers Radio, which has focused on the concerns and needs of senior citizens.[3]
Pulido unsuccessfully ran in the 2010 Republican primary for the Illinois 5th Congressional District. She was defeated for the nomination by David Ratowitz.[4]
Pulido has experienced controversy over her comments at the website FreeRepublic.com, which were described by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights as "hate speech" against Muslims, Hispanics, African-Americans and Catholics.[5]