WASHINGTON — The Steady State, an organization of more than 420 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law enforcement, and homeland security officials, is today announcing three endorsements.
The Steady State today is announcing the endorsement of the Hon. Jonathan Jackson for Illinois’s 1st District, Hon. Delia Ramirez for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, and Hon. Brad Schneider for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District.
Jonathan L. Jackson represents Illinois’s First Congressional District and comes from a background rooted in civil rights, public advocacy, and community service. A graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, he previously served as national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and worked on civil rights, education, criminal justice, and international human rights issues. In Congress, Jackson has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where his work has included sanctions policy, U.S.-Africa critical minerals cooperation, support for Ukraine, and human rights accountability in U.S. security assistance.
“Our endorsement reflects confidence that Jonathan Jackson appreciates the enduring importance of constitutional democracy, respects the rule of law, and understands why Congress must vigorously exercise the powers entrusted to it by Article I,” said Steven Cash, Executive Director of The Steady State.
Delia C. Ramirez represents Illinois’s Third Congressional District and is the first Latina elected to Congress from Illinois and the Midwest. A graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, she spent nearly two decades in the nonprofit sector working on housing, immigration, good government, and economic justice before serving two terms in the Illinois General Assembly. In Congress, Ramirez has built a homeland security and oversight profile through her service on the House Homeland Security Committee and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she serves as the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
“This isn’t a moment for on-the-job training in national security. Delia Ramirez already brings the understanding this role requires,” said Steven Cash, Executive Director of The Steady State.
Brad Schneider represents Illinois’ Tenth Congressional District and is currently serving his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before entering Congress, he spent nearly three decades in business as a strategic advisor and small business owner. In Congress, Schneider has built a strong foreign policy profile through his service on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where his work has focused on strengthening U.S. alliances, countering threats from Russia, China, and Iran, supporting democracy abroad, and advancing U.S. engagement in the Middle East, including as co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus.
“Brad Schneider brings a serious, substantive understanding of the national security challenges this country faces — not just talking points, but real command of the issues,” said Steven Cash, Executive Director of The Steady State.
All these candidates demonstrate a consistent commitment to the rule of law, support nonpartisan oversight and accountability of the Executive Branch, exhibit a substantive understanding of the national security challenges facing the country, and uphold the democratic norms and ethical standards of public service that the organization’s criteria require.
About The Steady State
The Steady State is an organization of more than 420 former national security professionals committed to defending American democracy from rising authoritarian threats. Its members include former ambassadors and senior State Department officials, senior CIA, Defense officials, FBI and DHS leaders, USAID and NSC staff, and senior congressional staff from both Republican and Democratic administrations. See our endorsement criteria here.
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