Kane dems not sure how they identify - socialist or democrat

as Kane dem candidates Move Towards Socialism, kennedy dems vote policy over feelings

As some local Democratic candidates propose a larger role for county government. Staunch Kennedy Dems are moving away from the party they've embraced for decades.  "We didn't leave the part, the party left us, says one voter." 

Meanwhile, the traditionally left leaning Daily Herald's 2026 endorsements reveal a notable preference for fiscal restraint in several key Kane County races.

For years, the national debate over socialism, government spending, and wealth redistribution seemed far removed from Kane County politics. But a closer examination of the 2026 campaigns suggests that some of those same economic ideas are finding their way into local government discussions.

Two Democratic candidates, Nicolas “Nico” Jimenez (District 13) and Julie Forbes (District 11), have outlined proposals that would radically expand the county's involvement in housing, social services, and economic affordability. 

Their proposals are not identical, and neither candidate's stated positions establish formal membership in a socialist organization. Nevertheless, three elements of their campaigns warrant closer examination:

• Government ownership and housing intervention: Jimenez has advocated public ownership as one approach to controlling government costs, along with community land trusts and housing-first initiatives. Forbes supports increased funding for county affordable-housing and rehabilitation programs, including additional assistance for low- and moderate-income households. These approaches raise questions about government's expanding role in the housing market and the potential long-term financial commitments involved. Jimenez — Daily Herald | Forbes — Daily Herald

• Taxation, redistribution, and government revenue: Jimenez has expressed opposition to regressive taxation and support for progressive revenue approaches. Forbes has advocated examining new revenue sources to maintain and expand county programs, although she has stated that tax adjustments should be considered only after other options are exhausted. The question for Kane County taxpayers is straightforward: Who pays for these initiatives, and how much? Jimenez — Candidate Questionnaire | Forbes — Campaign Priorities

• Expanding government-funded services: Jimenez proposes county-run mental-health crisis response teams, addiction treatment, and housing-first initiatives. Forbes supports additional resources for mental-health programs, food assistance, affordable housing, and other county services. Both emphasize protecting essential services and responsible budgeting. But taxpayers should ask whether these commitments can be sustained without higher taxes or reductions elsewhere. Jimenez — Daily Herald | Forbes — Daily Herald

Even the Daily Herald Is Endorsing Republicans

Perhaps the more interesting development in this election is coming from the editorial board of the Daily Herald.

In its October 27, 2026 endorsements, the newspaper supported Republican William Collins over Julie Forbes in District 11 and Republican Ryan Deniz over Nico Jimenez in District 13.   The editorial board for Kane County Speaks was pleasantly surprised at the endorsement of Collins, but not surprised that common sense trumps policy.   

The newspaper specifically cited Collins' experience in municipal government and Deniz's more cautious approach to county finances.

In the District 13 race, the Daily Herald acknowledged the importance of Jimenez's housing and mental-health priorities but expressed concern about Kane County's financial struggles and reliance on reserves. And this was not limited to two races. The newspaper also endorsed Republican Jennifer Abbatacola for District 9 and Republican Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham for another term, among other Republican candidates.

Read the Daily Herald's complete Kane County Board endorsements

Read its October 28 summary of election endorsements

These endorsements reflect a notable willingness to support Republican candidates across several local contests. Whether they constitute an unprecedented historical shift would require a comparison with earlier election cycles.

A Question of Direction

There is an important distinction between democratic socialism and the more conventional progressive policies of public spending, government assistance, and progressive taxation. Not every government program is socialism, and not every politician who supports expanded services is a socialist.

But voters are entitled to question how far government should go in addressing economic problems—and what happens when the financial commitments grow faster than the revenue available to support them.

Kane County already faces difficult budget decisions. Radical thought candidates like Forbes don't belong in a county like Kane. The issue is not whether affordable housing, mental health, and economic security matter. Of course they do. The issue is which solutions work, how they will be funded, and whether taxpayers can afford them. The fact that Forbes and Jimenez advocate for more tax and spend in this era should frighten most democrats, so long as fiscal responsibility rules over emotions.

While most agree that Trump's rhetoric can incite some, the policies of responsible spending need to be placed against "feelings on rhetoric." 

The Daily Herald's endorsements suggest that fiscal restraint is an important consideration in this election.   Perhaps that should be the starting point for a broader discussion about Kane County's future.  Sources: Daily Herald candidate questionnaires and editorial endorsements, Ballotpedia candidate statements, and published campaign materials. October 2026.

SO WHAT IS A KENNEDY DEMOCRAT?

A Kennedy Democrat in today's political world would generally be considered a pragmatic, center-left Democrat who believes in economic opportunity, individual responsibility, strong national defense, and government's obligation to serve the public.

The philosophy reflects five principles:

1. Economic growth: Support capitalism, private enterprise, job creation, and tax policies that encourage economic expansion.
2. Personal responsibility: Emphasize hard work, self-reliance, civic duty, and service to country.
3. Strong national defense: Support American leadership, national security, and opposition to authoritarian communism.
4. Civil rights and opportunity: Promote equal rights, education, and opportunities for Americans to succeed.
5. Pragmatic government: Support government intervention when necessary, including social programs, but emphasize practical results rather than rigid ideology.

Kennedy supported tax cuts to stimulate growth while also advocating expanded social programs and federal civil-rights protections.

The distinction: A Kennedy Democrat would generally favor a market-based economy with an active but pragmatic government—not socialism as a system of public ownership of the economy.  In today's Democratic Party, the term describes a political philosophy rather than an organized faction with a universally accepted definition.

Do Kennedy democrats look like Republicans?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But they both operate in the same universe and have worked well with each other.  Is it any wonder that many Kane Democrats have left the party, or at least are voting with Republicans.

Out of touch candidates like Julie Forbes and Nico Jimenez make it easy for Dems to leave.  Forbes and Jimenez use "Democrat" as a label, but don't believe in democratic principles.

And when Kennedy Democrats leave the station, it only iterates the fact that people like Forbes and Jimenez were never in the station to begin with.  That makes any left leaning voter in Kane questioning the veracity of the Kane Dem party and their lack of leadership.