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Urban to Rural:
Uniting the 71st
Join Kermit's journey for a Brighter Future for western Illinois!
About
Kermit Thomas has been a Quad City resident since 2013, raising his three children as a single father in Moline. For twenty-seven years he served our country as an Army Logistics Officer. Now it is time for him to serve the great and hardworking people of western Illinois.
Raised in Texas with rural and urban roots, he enlisted in the 82nd Airborne after graduating from Conroe High School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Prairie View A&M University (an HBCU) as a distinguished ROTC military graduate. He retired as a field grade officer at Rock Island Arsenal in 2016 and has worked at John Deere on special projects and as a substitute teacher in local districts. He has also been an entrepreneur, owning a production company, timrek3 Studios, and has served as preacher at Central Church of Christ in Davenport, Iowa since 2019.
Kermit has been active in many facets of life in the Quad Cities. He currently serves as First Vice President of the Rock Island County NAACP and is a charter member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Quad Cities as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., one of the divine nine. He served on the board of PlayCrafters theater for two years and most recently was involved in their production of “The Piano Lesson.”
He cares about the health of youth in our community, sponsoring a Boys Youth Forum mentoring young minority men, that helps them focus on education and wellbeing. Promoting mental health and serving the homeless are consistent areas of his volunteer work. He’s excited to advocate for all residents of the 71st District in Illinois.
Platform
Kermit is your Downstate Defender
Economy
It's time for Springfield lawmakers to turn their attention to the communities of western Illinois. Chicago, Bloomington, Peoria and Rockford have enjoyed the spotlight while communities from Macomb to Moline keep struggling. No matter where you live in District 71, you should be able to have opportunities for jobs and a high quality of life for you and your family.
Veterans
As an army veteran, Kermit knows the journey many women and men have taken during and after serving our country. He will work to make sure veterans have the resources they deserve after dedicating their lives to our safety.
Healthcare
Healthcare in the state of Illinois should be accessible and affordable. While communities face challenges funding healthcare because of the "Big Ugly Bill" passed in Washington D.C., Kermit will fight for better access to healthcare, especially mental health care in western Illinois.
Youth Engagement
Our western Illinois communities can't afford to quit on our youth. Kermit's experience with mentorship and providing resources to help youth live productive lives will help him fight for the resources they need to have promising futures.