Dylan Blaha on Running for Illinois’ 13th: Defunding ICE, Medicare for All, and Fighting Oligarchy

 

Check out Dylan's campaign at DylanForIllinois.com. 

 

Get the Civic App in the apple app store or google play store. 

 

Host Amy McDonald interviews Dylan Blaha, a pro-peace U.S. Army veteran and former cancer research scientist running for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District in 2026. Blaha says he decided to run after Rep. Nikki Budzinski’s votes, including support for the Laken Riley Act, pro-Israel positions on Gaza, and other votes he calls anti-trans, anti-environment, and anti–women’s rights. The discussion centers on the rise of fascism and surveillance, Democratic leadership’s perceived inaction, and priorities after 2026 such as defunding ICE, impeaching Trump officials, and delivering material benefits through Medicare for All, living wages, taxing billionaires, affordable housing, and aggressive environmental policy. They also discuss Citizens United, gerrymandering, term limits, contractor waste in the defense budget, AI’s impact on jobs and education, and the need for stronger journalism and public investment in schools.

 

00:25 Introduction to the Foolish News Podcast

00:43 Meet Dylan Blaha: Congressional Candidate

01:23 Why Dylan Baja is Running for Congress

02:54 Critique of Current Political Figures and Policies

03:54 The Rise of Fascism and Government Surveillance

05:19 Future Congressional Goals and Policies

06:49 Challenges and Criticisms of the Democratic Party

15:23 The Gerrymandering Issue in Illinois 13th District

16:35 Economic and Social Policies for Improvement

22:16 The Illusion of Self-Made Billionaires

22:30 The Crisis in Education

23:50 Media and Corporate Influence

27:28 The Military-Industrial Complex

28:52 US Foreign Policy and Misconceptions

30:45 Economic Inequality and Healthcare

34:25 Campaign and Personal Insights

35:17 Rapid Fire Questions

40:09 Concluding Remarks