Teenage Political Candidate Sues Illinois House Speaker
For 19-year-old political hopeful David Krupa, Chicago-style politics aren't something he's afraid of. Krupa has filed a lawsuit against both the House Speaker, Michael Madigan, and his opponent, Alderman Marty Quinn, alleging the two have attempted to strongarm him out of the election.
The lawsuit alleges that agents of Madigan and Quinn followed and threatened Krupa, telling him: "You're a nice kid, but I'd hate to see something bad happen to you." Krupa also alleges they intimidated individuals that signed his petition to be included on the ballot so that those individuals would retract their signatures from the petition. However, Madigan and Quinn blast Krupa as being a part of the right-wing propaganda machine.
Who Is David Krupa?
Krupa asserts that he is an independent candidate, but there doesn't seem to be much out there about him. And, like many young (and old) people have learned the hard way, the internet is an unforgiving place where quotes can live on in infamy.
Apparently, Krupa is a self-proclaimed "day-one Trump supporter" who was quoted advocating for "stop and frisk" policies to target sagging pants wearers, just last year:
"In the inner cities, if you've got your pants down to your ankles, and it looks like you're a shady character, stop and frisk is the way to go, because chances are if you have a gun you don't have a license to carry that."
Given Krupa's past statements, the statement he took as a threat may have just been some sugar-coated cautious advice from those who know how rough politics can get. However, Krupa hopes to prove otherwise through his lawsuit.
Related Resources:
- United States Seventh Circuit Cases (FindLaw's Cases & Codes)
- Disabled Students Lose School Transfer Appeal (FindLaw's U.S. Seventh Circuit Blog)
- 7th Circuit Limits Age-Based Protections (FindLaw's U.S. Seventh Circuit Blog)