Adam Andrzejewski
| Adam Andrzejewski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 2, 1969 Herscher, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kerry Andrzejewski |
| Alma mater | Northern Illinois University |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Website | Campaign website |
Adam Andrzejewski (/ændʒiːˈɛfski/ an-jee-EF-skee; born August 2, 1969) is a businessman and government watchdog from the town of Herscher, Illinois and now resides in Hinsdale, Illinois.[1] Andrzejewski was the first announced candidate for the Illinois Gubernatorial election of 2010, announcing his intent to run in March 2009.[2]
Early life, family and education
Adam Andrzejewski, the eldest of seven children, was born in Herscher, Illinois to John and Janet Andrzejewski. His grandparents Andrzej and Teresa Andrzejewski came to the U.S. from Poland in 1928 and settled in Evanston, Illinois. During the Great Depression the Andrzejewski family shared a small apartment and Andrzej Andrzejewski worked for over 14 hours a day.[3] His father taught history and political science at Limestone Elementary School for 38 years until he retired in 2008.[4] His father also ran for state representative in 1976, and again in 1978, attempting to unseat the then house majority leader, George Ryan. He lost both bids, however, and Ryan later became the Governor.[5][6] His mother, a native of Sugar Grove, Illinois, taught primary education for one year, and then stayed at home after the birth of Adam.[7]
As a junior at Herscher High School,[8] Andrzejewski participated in Illinois Boys State, a summer leadership program sponsored by the American Legion, where he was elected Senator in the mock election.[6] After he graduated from Herscher High School in 1987, he attended Northern Illinois University where he graduated with a business degree in 1992.[8][9]
Career
In October 1997,[10] Adam Andrzejewski founded an independent publishing business with his brother, Abram Andrzejewski.[9][11] The publishing company, HomePages Directories,[12] employs nearly 150 people and has an annual revenue of nearly $20 million.[6]
Adam Andrzejewski also started a grassroots initiative to enable local counties and school boards to post their check register online.[13]
Campaign for Governor of Illinois
On March 1, 2009, Adam Andrzejewski announced his intent to run for the office of Governor of Illinois.[2] Andrzejewski was the first to announce his campaign to run for the office which had previously been held by Rod Blagojevich, who was replaced by Pat Quinn after he was impeached.
Andrzejewski was one of four Republicans to file with the Illinois State Board of Elections to be placed on the ballot,[14] submitting over 14,000 signatures.[2] The other Republican candidates include Bill Brady, Bob Schillerstorm, and Kirk Dillard.
On 25 January 2010 Andrzejewski received an endorsement from Lech Wałęsa, former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. [15] On 1 February 2010, Andrzejewski was endorsed by talk radio host Rush Limbaugh.[16]
On 2 February 2010 Andrzejewski was defeated by a significant margin in the Republican primary for Governor of Illinois.[17]
His platform was based on government transparency. His campaign slogan was "Every Dime Online in Real Time."
Organization
In 2007, Andrzejewski sold his share of the company he founded with his brother, when he then founded the non-profit organization, For The Good Of Illinois.[9] For The Good Of Illinois is a citizen watchdog group that advocates transparency of public spending in Illinois.[18] Andrzejewski was the director of the organization for two years, but resigned after his announcement to run for Governor.[19]
He later relaunched the organization after his bid for governor and an associated PAC. He supported 4 candidates for election to the Illinois General Assembly in 2010: Sam McCann, Cedra Crenshaw, and Kyle McCarter for the State Senate and Dwight Kay for the State House. Of those, only Cedra Crenshaw lost. In 2012, he supported Brad Halbrook who won and John Bambenek who lost.
References
- ↑ "John Kass Has Breakfast with Adam Andrzejewski". Chicago Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- 1 2 3 "Team Andrzejewski Collects 14000 Signatures". Illinois Review. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "Adam Andrzejewski - kandydat na gubernatora stanu Illinois (in Polish)". Polish News. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
- ↑ "April 14, 2008 Monday Edition" (PDF). The Daily Journal. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "GOP gubernatorial candidate will fight the status quo". The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- 1 2 3 "Race for Illinois Governor Is a Family Affair for Aurora Couple". Triblocal, Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "His Family - Adam for Illinois". Archived from the original on 10 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- 1 2 "Andrzejewski announces bid for governor". The Times. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- 1 2 3 "Candidate says he hasn't forgotten work ethic". Effingham Daily News. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "HomePages Directories - About Us". Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "HomePages: A Fresh Take on Print Yellow Pages". Kelsey Group Blogs. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "HomePages Directories, Dekalb, IL". Better Business Bureau review. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "Who is Running for Illinois Governor?". Fox News Chicago. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "Candidate Details". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "Former Polish President Lech Walesa to Keynote Adam Andrzejewski Event". Polish News. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
- ↑ "instapundit".
- ↑ Guzzardi, Will (2010-02-04). "Illinois Primary 2010: Tea Partiers Downplay Rebuke At Polls". Huffington Post.
- ↑ "NIU proton cancer center says it’s immune to disclosure laws". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ↑ "Andrzejewski resign as director of For The Good Of Illinois". For The Good Of Illinois. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010. Retrieved 2009-12-27.