Andrew Straw

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Andrew Straw
Image of Andrew Straw
Elections and appointments
Last election

July 13, 2024

Education

High school

Northridge High School, 1987

Bachelor's

Indiana University, Bloomington, 1992

Graduate

Indiana University, Bloomington, 1995

Law

Indiana University-Maurer School of Law, 1997

Personal
Birthplace
North Carolina
Religion
Church of the Brethren
Profession
Attorney
Contact

Andrew Straw (Democratic Party) ran for election for Attorney General of Indiana. He did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic convention on July 13, 2024.

Straw completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Email [email protected] to notify us of updates to this biography.

Straw was born on March 19, 1969, at Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Straw founded the Disability Party on February 5, 2013, in Indiana.[1] Straw's professional background includes being the founder and president of the Indiana Center for Excellence in Government. He has also worked as a disability rights attorney. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar Diversity Conference.[2][3]

Straw also worked as the statistical analyst for the Indiana Supreme Court, where he collected and analyzed data for Indiana trial courts with a focus on disabilities in the judicial system. He previously co-chaired the Committee on Education of Bench & Bar for the Virginia State Bar Task Force on Technology, worked as a law clerk for the Hon. Joseph E. Spruill, Jr. in Virginia's 15th judicial district, and served as the assistant dean for international programs at the Indiana University-Maurer School of Law. Straw has written as a columnist for Democracy Chronicles. Straw has two children who live in New Zealand with their mother, Straw's ex-wife. His ex-wife is from Italy and teaches Chinese language and culture in New Zealand.[1][4] Straw has served as Deep South male co-convener in the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, and Indiana state delegate to the Green Party National Convention in 2012.[1]

Education

  • University of Maine, master's degree in peace and reconciliation studies (expected 2027)
  • University of Otago (Dunedin, NZ), graduate studies in bioethics and health law (2004)[5]
  • Council for Excellence in Government, fellowship (1999-2000)
  • Indiana University Maurer School of Law, J.D. (1997)
  • Indiana University, master's degree in language education (1995)
  • Indiana University, bachelor's in English & philosophy (1992)
  • Northridge High School, Middlebury, Indiana


Elections

2024

See also: Indiana Attorney General election, 2024

General election

General election for Attorney General of Indiana

Incumbent Todd Rokita defeated Destiny Scott Wells in the general election for Attorney General of Indiana on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Todd Rokita
Todd Rokita (R)
 
60.0
 
937,732
Image of Destiny Scott Wells
Destiny Scott Wells (D)
 
40.0
 
625,546

Total votes: 1,563,278
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Attorney General of Indiana

Destiny Scott Wells defeated Beth White in the Democratic convention for Attorney General of Indiana on July 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Destiny Scott Wells
Destiny Scott Wells (D)
 
69.0
 
1,057
Image of Beth White
Beth White (D) Candidate Connection
 
31.0
 
475

Total votes: 1,532
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican convention

Republican convention for Attorney General of Indiana

Incumbent Todd Rokita advanced from the Republican convention for Attorney General of Indiana on June 15, 2024.

Candidate
Image of Todd Rokita
Todd Rokita (R)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Straw in this election.

2022

See also: Indiana Secretary of State election, 2022

General election

General election for Indiana Secretary of State

Diego Morales defeated Destiny Scott Wells, Jeff Maurer, David Wetterer, and Andrew Straw in the general election for Indiana Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Diego Morales
Diego Morales (R)
 
54.1
 
999,893
Image of Destiny Scott Wells
Destiny Scott Wells (D) Candidate Connection
 
40.2
 
742,624
Image of Jeff Maurer
Jeff Maurer (L) Candidate Connection
 
5.7
 
104,519
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
David Wetterer (G) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
107
Image of Andrew Straw
Andrew Straw (Disability Party) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
36

Total votes: 1,847,179
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State

Destiny Scott Wells advanced from the Democratic convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 18, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Destiny Scott Wells
Destiny Scott Wells (D) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican convention

Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State

Diego Morales defeated incumbent Holli Sullivan and David Shelton in the Republican convention for Indiana Secretary of State on June 18, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Holli Sullivan
Holli Sullivan (R)
Image of Diego Morales
Diego Morales (R)
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
David Shelton (R) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Indiana Secretary of State

Jeff Maurer advanced from the Libertarian convention for Indiana Secretary of State on March 5, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Jeff Maurer
Jeff Maurer (L) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

U.S. House - Vermont

See also: United States House of Representatives election in Vermont, 2020

United States House election in Vermont, 2020 (August 11 Republican primary)

United States House election in Vermont, 2020 (August 11 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Vermont At-large District

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House Vermont At-large District on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Peter Welch
Peter Welch (D)
 
67.3
 
238,827
Image of Miriam Berry
Miriam Berry (R) Candidate Connection
 
27.0
 
95,830
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Peter Becker (Independent)
 
2.3
 
8,065
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Marcia Horne (Independent)
 
1.2
 
4,334
Image of Christopher Helali
Christopher Helali (Party of Communists USA) Candidate Connection
 
1.0
 
3,432
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Shawn Orr (Independent)
 
0.5
 
1,926
Image of Jerry Trudell
Jerry Trudell (Independent)
 
0.5
 
1,881
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
542

Total votes: 354,837
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Vermont At-large District

Incumbent Peter Welch defeated Ralph Corbo in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Vermont At-large District on August 11, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Peter Welch
Peter Welch
 
95.5
 
101,566
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Ralph Corbo
 
4.3
 
4,599
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
237

Total votes: 106,402
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Vermont At-large District

Miriam Berry defeated Justin Tuthill, Anya Tynio, and Jimmy Rodriguez in the Republican primary for U.S. House Vermont At-large District on August 11, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Miriam Berry
Miriam Berry Candidate Connection
 
32.5
 
14,368
Image of Justin Tuthill
Justin Tuthill
 
24.7
 
10,915
Image of Anya Tynio
Anya Tynio
 
20.0
 
8,830
Image of Jimmy Rodriguez
Jimmy Rodriguez
 
18.8
 
8,290
 Other/Write-in votes
 
4.0
 
1,789

Total votes: 44,192
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Vermont Progressive Party primary election

Vermont Progressive Party primary for U.S. House Vermont At-large District

Chris Brimmer defeated Cris Ericson in the Vermont Progressive Party primary for U.S. House Vermont At-large District on August 11, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Chris Brimmer
 
58.0
 
469
Image of Cris Ericson
Cris Ericson
 
29.2
 
236
 Other/Write-in votes
 
12.7
 
103

Total votes: 808
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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U.S. House - Virginia

See also: Virginia's 8th Congressional District election, 2020

Virginia's 8th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Democratic primary)

Virginia's 8th Congressional District election, 2020 (May 30 Republican convention)

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 8

Incumbent Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. defeated Jeff Jordan in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 8 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr.
Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. (D)
 
75.8
 
301,454
Image of Jeff Jordan
Jeff Jordan (R) Candidate Connection
 
24.0
 
95,365
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
926

Total votes: 397,745
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 8.

Republican convention

Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 8

Jeff Jordan defeated Mark Ellmore in the Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 8 on May 30, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Mark Ellmore
Mark Ellmore (R) Candidate Connection
Image of Jeff Jordan
Jeff Jordan (R) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi defeated Jitendra Diganvker in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Raja Krishnamoorthi
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)
 
66.0
 
130,054
Image of Jitendra Diganvker
Jitendra Diganvker (R)
 
34.0
 
67,073

Total votes: 197,127
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 20, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Raja Krishnamoorthi
Raja Krishnamoorthi
 
100.0
 
44,042

Total votes: 44,042
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Jitendra Diganvker advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 20, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jitendra Diganvker
Jitendra Diganvker
 
100.0
 
25,448

Total votes: 25,448
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2016

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. The seat was open following incumbent Tammy Duckworth's U.S. Senate run. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated Pete DiCianni (R) and write-in candidate Andrew Straw in the general election on November 8, 2016.

Krishnamoorthi defeated Michael Noland and Deb Bullwinkel in the Democratic primary on March 15, 2016. DiCianni defeated write-in candidate Andrew Straw in the Republican primary.[6][7]

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRaja Krishnamoorthi 58.3% 144,954
     Republican Pete DiCianni 41.7% 103,617
     Write-in votes Andrew Straw 0% 5
Total Votes 248,576
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections


U.S. House, Illinois District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngRaja Krishnamoorthi 57% 44,950
Michael Noland 29.1% 22,925
Deb Bullwinkel 14% 11,005
Total Votes 78,880
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections

2012

See also: Indiana's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012

Straw was a candidate for 2012 election to the U.S. House, representing Indiana's 2nd District. The Secretary of State, Connie Lawson (R), denied his petition on July 27, 2012, on grounds that Straw had submitted one signature on his petition. According to Straw, there was no mention of his statutory or constitutional objections.[8]

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Andrew Straw completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Straw's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am a disabled lawyer and civil rights advocate. My goal in running for Attorney General is to restore balance to a state government that is out of balance and currently run only by Republicans. When one party rules all, Rule of Law is replaced with favoritism and injustice.

My legal career has been about improving the courts, opposing injustice, and protecting civil rights.

Please read more about me here: www.andrewstraw.com

  • Restore the Rule of Law and Limited Government That Follows the Indiana Bill of Rights
  • Restore Balance to Indiana State Government
  • Court and Law Reforms for Civil Rights & Disability Rights

I took the oath to uphold state and federal constitutions in the United States for 7 law licenses covering 8 states. I am passionate about making constitutional rights a living reality for Hoosiers. I have opposed sexual harassment by public officers in Indiana and I would be an aggressive advocate for domestic violence and workplace discrimination victims.

After over 20 years of one party controlling this office, there needs to be a shake up in the staff and balance imposed so a Republican silo that favors Republicans over all others is dismantled and reformed.

I strongly believe the Indiana Supreme Court needs reform also and this is why I oppose the retention votes of all justices and judges who will be on the ballot in 2024. Vote me in and vote them out for real reform.

I call this the NO RUSH campaign. www.lorettarush.com

This is the highest level attorney position in the state. It advises all of the state agencies and represents them when they are sued. This is a strong focal point for returning balance and constitutional values to state government. Civil rights thrive better when the Attorney General supports them. Other states have used the Attorney General office to advance disability rights and I would use it in that way.

www.andrewstraw.com

It means this office can be a center for change and positive progress, or it can set back civil rights and the rule of law decades. Indiana needs to start protecting property rights instead of denying them by making certain people into pariahs and denying their rights. Everyone should be treated equally under law and I actually believe this. I do not see this office as a partisan conservative lawyer factory and I would clean up that office so that balance is restored.

Domestic violence and human trafficking are severe problems, as is the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, both public and private. So, that would be a priority for me. Howeve, I have special dedication to disability rights and I would fully fund and support an office to defend those disabiiity rights, both under state and federal law. No longer should government at any level be allowed not to provide handicap parking or leave piles of snow in sidewalks and handicap spaces. I will dedicate deputies to enforcement of disability rights laws because disabled people are among the most disadvantaged and in need of the government to protect their rights.

I have already done much work in these areas and you can see it on my CV: https://www.andrewstraw.com

Upholding constitutional values is the number one job of this office. When the AG supports and protects the constitution, many errors of law and policy can be avoided. Upholding the Rule of Law is central to good government and the AG should aggressively enforce federal laws as the Constitution requires.

I believe squabbles with the federal government often are the result of a state seeking to impose its will on other states and the federal government. There needs to be a greater humility and cooperation to protect citizens rather than use the Attorney General's office to prove political points.

This office is meant to serve the People, not go off on crusades that are thinly-veiled preparations for other offices and other campaigns. This office will be more balanced with me as a Democratic AG and if I use the office for this purpose, it will always be to protect citizens in Indiana, first and foremost, not make AG into a political party platform.

I have strong experience in law and politics and even earned a grade of "A" in Law and Politics as a law student at Indiana University. My background is solid and even my disabilities make me into a better candidate because they are from public service and they make me more aware of the troubles of others.

One big problem is when this office becomes a mouthpiece for unthinking partisanship. I am running to change things and return to the Rule of Law, not to enforce any party's platform or partisan goals.

I definitely look up to my brother, a 2-time veteran of the Afghanistan conflict. He is a retired critical care trauma nurse and his team saved about 600 Americans and civilians blown up on the battlefield. He advocates for marijuana legalization and I agree with him.

Several films motivate and inspire me.

1984 (showing what happens when government is far too powerful and opposes individual rights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8BA7adK6XA

Philiadephia (showing how disability discrimination is a legal system catastrophe)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKDz2LVHz0Y

Semper Fi, Always Faithful (showing how the military poisoned its own and resisted accountability)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oihMK73zi0

I am always deeply moved when I watch MLK's last speech, which discusses illegal court injunctions that violate civil rights and the Constitution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL4FOvIf7G8

Honesty is most important.
Intelligence.
Compassion.

You can be the judge by looking at my past work.

https://www.andrewstraw.com

https://links.andrewstraw.com

https://all.andrewstraw.com

I am a stubborn believer in constitutional rights and limited government that favor individuals over large institutions.

I have experience as a law school administrator, state judicial branch analyst, and attorney for a billionaire transporation planning legend.

You'll find me to be an honest, hard-working and fair individual who believes in civil rights for all.

Enforcing the Constitution is the number one job.
Managing and improving the staff is also important.
Removing staff who are too partisan and engage in partisan favoritism is highly important also.

This office needs a much stronger dedication to disability and other civil and human rights. I will make sure that this is actioned.

Both state and federal courts have discriminated based on disability back ot the founding and I will push hard to reform this so there are more disabled lawyers and these lawyers are NOT oppressed with violence and interference by the Indiana Supreme Court.

Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509, 511, 525, 531 (2004)

See:

https://dueprocess.andrewstraw.com

https://mitigation.andrewstraw.com

https://inrestraw.andrewstraw.com

The Indiana Supreme Court bans all disabled people from being lawyers and this injustice is smack in my crosshairs for reform.

No matter how many illegal, false, and misleading attacks Indiana's Republican and conservative judges and justices violate me me, it will not change the fact that my demand for change is timely and needed desperately.

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/disabilityrights/initiatives_awards/spotlight/straw_a/

I want this world to be more accessible for disabled people and fair for all. This is a simple goal on its face but seems to elude those in power.

I want my children and stepchildren to be proud of their association with me as "Dad" and "Poppa Andrew."

I distinctly remember President Nixon resigning on TV when I was about 5 years old.

I worked several years in my father's Goshen, Indiana, butcher shop starting at age 13. At 17, I started working for a Friendly's Ice Cream restaurant in Elkhart, Indiana.

I always enjoyed Tolkein's Lord of the Rings because of its consistent theme of fighting evil and sorrow for the pain evil causes.

1977, by Ana Tijoux

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiQ7S38nKog

I also really enjoyed this version of Man of Constant Sorrow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBVnKYOvWcs

My disabilities are huge struggles for me and they came from public service.

https://disability.andrewstraw.com

I have many disabilities from being poisoned by the U.S. Marine Corps, but I am fighting for compensation.
Straw v. U.S., 7:23-cv-162-BO-BM (E.D.N.C.)

https://clja.andrewstraw.com

https://clja2.andrewstraw.com

That poisoning killed my mother while I was still in law school in Bloomington. I have a claim for her wrongful death also.

A reckless driver broke both of my legs and pelvis on the way to the Indiana Supreme Court work. It has been very hard to deal with or accept the discrimination that flowed toward me after that sacrifice. Ultimately, I lost 5 law licenses as a result of disability discrimination and I am seeking my recompense.

Straw v. Indiana, 53C06-2110-PL-2081 (Monroe Cty. Cir. Ct. #6 2023)
Straw v. Indiana, 23A-PL-775 (Ind. Ct. App.)

While I was working for the Indiana Supreme Court, I visited Lower Manhattan became a 9/11 victim with respiratory and digestive tract issues. I have a bona fide VCF claim for these injuries. I was there in the contaminated area in September 2001.

So, disability has been a weight on my shoulders but it also teaches me the extreme importance of government helping disabled people and reducing that burden rather than piling more on with discrimination.

I will be the #1 advocate for disability rights in Indiana government as its Attorney General.

How many lawyers does it take to install a lightbulb?

That'll be $1 million.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.



2022

Candidate Connection

Andrew Straw completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Straw's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am the Founder of Disability Party, which was created in 2013 to advance the "access & opportunity" for all disabled people. I am also a disabled lawyer and disability advocate. You can see my legal work in 2022 and my efforts to reform the courts and disability access. https://2022.andrewstraw.com

Court reform: https://indiana.disabilityparty.org CV: https://www.andrewstraw.com Links: https://links.andrewstraw.com Comprehensive Work: https://all.andrewstraw.com

  • Disabled Hoosiers need the ability to participate as candidates and if I get enough votes, they will have that chance.
  • American state and federal courts discriminate and this must change so that legitimate law reform is not stymied by hostile judges.
  • Disabililty programs need to ensure a basic income and help in obtaining good jobs with good pay. Laws designed to ensure access and crush discrimination need more teeth.

I am a victim of Camp LeJeune poisoning and I want all family members of veterans to have strong protections instead of just letting us all die on the vine, rejected for health care and compensation.

Disabled people need the ability to participate and saying they can vote is not enough. They need the ability to run for office and this is why I am running for Indiana Secretary of State. This is a key office that determines the ballot access of a party. If I get 2% of the vote for this office, it will open the way for disabled Hoosiers to run in a party that understands them and welcomes them.

Government needs to disability advocates who do not reject most requests for help. There also need to be websites that explain how all disability programs can be coordinated for the maximum benefit of the disabled person, including veterans, their families, and those who injured at work or as a child.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE PAGE, INDIANA ELECTION DIVISION:

https://campaignfinance.in.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgId=7712

Secretary of State is the gateway to ballot access for my Disability Party. If I can get 2% of the vote as a write-in (or if I can get on the ballot in 2026), Disability Party can open the door to disabled people who want to run on the ticket of a party that values them and wants every justice for them.

I look up to every person who lives a life of quiet desperation with disabilities. Desperate because they suffer discrimination with courts overwhelmingly opposed to their justice. I follow and admire every civil rights leader who has made their category more protected and the nation less tolerant of discrimination. I look up to former Justice Stevens for his frank and truthful explanation of how state courts in America discriminate widely and have always done so. Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509, 525, 531 (2004).

I will look up to every disabled person who makes the effort to run for office and my candidacy here is to help them.

My philosophy grew out of a national betrayal at Camp LeJeune. The worst thing any government can do is betray veterans and their families, poisoning them and killing or disabling.

I am disabled from this. My mother was killed by it.

Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oihMK73zi0

This is why honesty and compassion are the top values in my view.

Honesty and compassion are the most important traits of any elected official. Flexibility is also desireable. Being well rounded and highly educated are helpful.

I am fully committed to advancing the interests of people with disabilities. I possess the honesty and compassion needed, as well as the educational and experiential background.

https://www.andrewstraw.com

Like any top statewide official, the ability to manage staff and set policies that make sense are highly desirable. Flexibility in advancing change and listening to others is also helpful.

Secretary of State should make it a priority to ensure disabled people can participate in elections both as voters and candidates.

I want my work to make courts more receptive to disability arguments and less replete with discrimination, as they are now. Most rights eventually end up supported or defeated in court and that makes having an influence on that branch critical. I want my legacy to be such change.

I also want disabled people to run for office and not be excluded from public policy discussions of all kinds. Ballot access is key to this.

I worked as cleanup and sales for a butcher shop owned by my parents. It was called Community Locker and I started working there when I was 13. Worked there off and on while I was in high school.

Lord of the Rings
My mother gifted me this book when I was in 4th grade and reading it assiduously and repeatedly for 2 years left me with a vocabulary at the post-HS level.

As a person suffering from poisoning disabilities and betrayal, that trilogy spoke to me with its treatment of evil and struggles against overwhelming odds.

All the Good Girls Go to Hell (Billie Eilish)

Crimes of other people have disabled me and vicious discrimination has held me back, especially by judges and courts and even other lawyers who truly know better.

https://crime.andrewstraw.com

https://disability.andrewstraw.com

https://independent.academia.edu/AndrewUDStraw

https://2022.andrewstraw.com

Secretary of State is in charge of administering elections. But the most important fact is its role as a gateway for new parties to get ballot access without having to get ungodly numbers of signatures for each race.

My focus is on getting 2%. Ballot access for my party is my principal reason for running at all.

The Secretary of State has so many helpers and staff, any voter who qualifies for the office is adequate for the office to run well.

I am not running for this office to be the Secretary of State, but instead to give all disabled people in Indiana the right and ability to run for office without having to be burdened with impossible signature requirements. If I get 2%, that goal will be reached.

I think anyone who attempts to get 2% for a new party is doing something honorable. Expanding the universe of choices Hoosier voters will have is a patriotic goal. I encourage any new party to try.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.



2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Andrew Straw completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Straw's responses.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Disability Rights Poisoned Children of Veterans Court Reform

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about disability rights and reforms at the state and federal level to remove corrupt officers who discriminate with impunity. Health reform is critical--I would start with expanding Medicare Part D to all people living in the USA. I would expand Medicare coverage to anywhere around the globe. I feel the border crisis and humanitarian fiasco can be alleviated with a $100 Americas Visa. Pay $100, do biometrics, Welcome to the United States. Student loans should be frozen, no payments or interest unless one makes over $250,000 per year.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I consider myself a civil rights leader on disability and I look up to all civil rights leaders who achieve change through their own personal suffering and teaching others.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

1984. While I believe government can be the source of security and joy, it can also be a hateful source of human rights abuse. Any human institution is the same, even courts. As a disabled lawyer, I have always been very moved by the movie Philadelphia. It shows how lawyers and judges can discriminate. His trial used the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is significant to me because I spent my childhood growing up in Rep. John Brademas' U.S. House district. He was the author of that Act.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Compassion and integrity and intelligence. People must be first, and I will never support any doctrine that puts money or some other principle over people.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have suffered. While I am very privileged to be a lawyer and civil rights leader, I have experienced pain and suffering and poverty for long periods of my life, as well as official tyranny and discrimination based on my disabilities. The extent of the damage by the Indiana Supreme Court is worth considering, and you can read about it in this document I proposed to alleviate the injuries. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ec_xNPW5wO4WhkcPsNdJUDvf2vY90t23/view?usp=sharing

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The House has primary responsibility for spending money, but civil rights legislation and oversight of courts and the president are also important. I would impeach Trump, but if he loses, this will not be an issue. I would encourage the House to impeach a number of judges who violated due process in front of me, such as hiring a litigant and then favoring them. This is extremely bad for a court and must be punished to teach others not to do this.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be remembered for having finally brought justice to those poisoned at Camp LeJeune and other bases. There must be compensation and health care and there must be no denials by VA or BVA. ADA and disability rights reforms are critically important and the federal courts have been hideous in their hostility, so another system of enforcing the Act must be allowed. This may include allowing venue in any U.S. District Court, not just in the place where the wrongs happened. I want to be remembered as compassionate, and this is why I will push for Medicare Part D to cover every American and student loans to be frozen with no interest unless someone makes over $250,000. I would make sure that the poverty line income steadily increases without complicated and political agency actions to hurt poor people. Many reparations for U.S. government actions require payment, and welfare payments protect all disadvantaged groups.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember President Nixon on TV, resigning from office. I was about 5.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Besides a little lemonade stand with frozen bananas and chocolate, I worked for my father when I was 13 in his butcher shop and frozen locker storage. I learned about keeping things clean, producing a valuable product, and how businesses thrive based on reputation and quality. I learned that it was fun to earn my own money and I started a coin collection that I passed to my children. I made the minimum wage, which was $3.15 per hour.

What happened on your most awkward date?

We didn't really click, so there was a lot of politeness and waiting for the date to end.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

I like Halloween because the next day is All Saints Day. It is also fun to see how creative people can be with their costumes. It's a holiday for kids, like Christmas.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Nine Stories, by J.D. Salinger. There is a rough spirituality in these stories and honest prose that I can only admire. There are also abrupt moments of intense sadness that are very powerful.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Hamlet.

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

I do so much with my iPhone, that must be it. I've always liked technology since I was a kid and we had a Vic-20 at home, and later a computer with an actual hard drive. I learned to program when I was 13, about the same time I was working in the butcher shop. Sometimes I did work for my parents using WordStar and other old programs. My mother was a computer programmer until her death in 1997. She said the Internet would be exploding the use of databases and that I should make myself familiar with this.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

White Flag, by Dido

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My main struggle has not been the mental and physical disabilities, even though these have been hard challenges. (www.andrewudstraw.com). The hardest thing is when other people discriminate, especially people who should know better, like attorneys and judges.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I believe a state should be granted an appropriate number of U.S. House seats after the Census. Then, the voters should be assigned to districts statewide by counting off the number of seats in the voter roll and repeating until all voters are assigned to districts. After this is done, new voters are assigned in order by date in the same way. These should not be changed until the next Census. No possible impermissible motivation can infect such a system.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is the first part of government listed in the Constitution. Everything flows from the House and its powers. Even the Constitution is mainly changed through an Act of the House and the Senate. Presidents and judges may have some say over the Constitution later, but Congress is the source, with the ratification of the states. Monetary powers flow from the House, and this makes the House where compassion and intelligence meet to serve the people.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it is important to have a legal background, preferably a lawyer, because the vast bulk of actions in the House are done through legislation. Anyone who meets the constitutional qualifications should be able to do the job, and that is why there are no other qualifications. I trust the Founders left this job so open to the public for good reasons.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Disability reform is absolutely necessary because powerful people are allowing discrimination that should be against the law. More criminal provisions need to be implemented. No nation can hurt the weak and expect good to come of it. We need a $100 Americas Visa and the end of human rights violations and intolerance against immigrants. Offering a cheap and easy way into the United States will allow innocent people to enter without being harassed. Getting biometrics is also valuable. We need an Americas biometrics database.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Veterans Affairs - Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Education and Labor, Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Absolutely. This body spends money and the public need a regular electoral input so that the House is closely monitored and is doing the People's Will.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I have signed the Term Limits Pledge. 12 years is more than enough time for one federal office for anyone. I will be 51 in 2020. Add 12 years to that and you get 63 years old. If I then ran for Senate, another 12 years would make me 75. I am sure many of my goals will be complete in that amount of time.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Ask me again after the election. I do not have ambitions of this kind, but if it serves my disability and veterans and social welfare agenda, I could change my mind.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

James Madison was an absolute genius and his work in House on the Constitution and Bill of Rights ring through history as great works of legislation and humanity. I don't agree with every choice he made, but the structure of government is fundamentally sound in theory because of how he started things. Like James Madison, I am a Virginia lawyer.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I hear stories of heartbreak and injustice every day when I talk with veterans and their family members who were poisoned on military bases. I have heard of women losing baby after baby to miscarriage and infant death and I lost my own mother without any compensation from the US Navy or courts. Congress needs to fix this and it needs to be done right now, not after everyone dies.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Andrew U. D. Straw participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on March 27, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Andrew U. D. Straw's responses follow below.[9]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) Disability Rights and Access

2) Veterans' Rights, Including Disabled Veterans and Their Families
3) Job Creation[10][11]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

My main passion in life is disability rights and law and I have fought cases on this topic to the U.S. Supreme Court 10 times now. I am very aware of the failures in our laws and courts that allow discrimination to continue. I also believe that if Congress supports states, local governments, and businesses with the money to become accessible 28 years now after the ADA was passed, things could be a lot better much quicker without as much litigation.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[11]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Andrew U. D. Straw answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my brother, USAF Captain Jason Lee Straw (ret.), a critical care trauma nurse who served in Afghanistan twice. His patients were blown into pieces and the very idea that my younger brother was keeping those American veterans alive with no limbs, deaf and with TBI from the blasts, puts a fire in me to make sure those heroes can access everything in America. They certainly paid for that access and everyone who opposes full disability access and rights is un-American in my view. I am very proud of my children. My daughter was the national champion in French language speaking in her senior year of high school. She also is fluent in English, Italian, and Chinese. I expect her to travel widely and maybe even contribute to world peace with her talents. My son is also bilingual in English and Italian and I am constantly surprised at how talented they both are.[11]
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Mike Magner wrote a book (A Trust Betrayed) about Camp LeJeune, the huge EPA Superfund site that poisoned 1 million U.S. Marines (like my dad) and their families. Congress has utterly failed to provide services to these poisoned families, these patriots who paid with their lives and did not even know it. My mother died from one of the Camp LeJeune cancers and my daughter needed open spine surgery from the scoliosis that passed through me, through my damaged DNA. When Congress buys chemicals to be used on bases and then does not protect the families of veterans who come on those bases (I was born in the contaminated base hospital), there should be 100% health care, a pension so no one is driven into poverty, housing loans and education, and other benefits. In short, Congress MUST make people whole when they sacrifice for the nation in a way that was never part of the deal when their Marine Corps family member signed up. This is the website for the VA Camp LeJeune Family Member Program, a very limited benefit passed in 2012 that proves the damage happened: https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov/ This is a very scary website from the EPA about the poisons that are still on Camp LeJeune as an EPA Superfund site with children and families still living there: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.contams&id=0403185 This is the Amazon site for A Trust Betrayed, by Mike Magner: https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Betrayed-Poisoning-Generations-Families/dp/0306822571 It is my opinion that any base designated as a Superfund site must be evacuated of all civilians immediately. I will vote for this.[11]
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Integrity. Patriotism and Long-term Commitment to America. Passion for helping others. A strong sensitivity to civil rights, especially for the weakest in our society, such as disabled people. Humility in the sense that one knows how important it is to get information from experts when you are a public official. Too many rely on their gut instincts without confirming and this can lead to poor decisions that hurt people.[11]
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I am stubborn. When I see something wrong, I chomp onto it like a bulldog and will not let go until the wrong is righted. This is a quality that many lawyers possess when they are fighting a good cause. I am intelligent and experienced, as my CV demonstrates, and I hope it also demonstrates my integrity and commitment to this country and to disability civil rights in this country over the past decades I have been political active. My own suffering and pain from the losses and disabilities in my family temper me and make me sensitive to others who hurt and need help.[11]
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Congress principally spends money under Article I and regulates the economy, but also has responsibilities for civil rights under the 14th Amendment (Section 5). Congress would not exist without the sacrifices of veterans and their families and I will be the number one champion for them. This is my goal.[11]
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave America more sensitive and caring toward people with disabilities, but short of this, our laws must be strong to prevent abuses by any state or federal judge, any official who hurts others based on their civil rights, primarily disability rights. Because I broke both my legs and my pelvis serving 400+ courts in Indiana and was poisoned along with my whole family by the U.S. Marine Corps, God has placed disability in my lap and I will not shirk the responsibility to care for others who sacrificed in public service.[11]
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I remember Nixon resigning. I was 5.[11]
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked for my dad, a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and Vietnam veteran. He had a butcher shop and freezer locker store in Goshen, Indiana, called the Community Locker. I cleaned up and learned the absolute importance of things be clean so that people would enjoy the products my dad and mom made and would never get sick from them. Working in the family business taught me about proper accounting, planning, and being on a team. I worked there for several years.[11]
What happened on your most awkward date?
She clearly did not want to be there, but was being polite, and I was polite, and it was just a polite-fest. Happy it was over.[11]
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Halloween. It's just fun and 100% for the kids. Often people are so creative when they dress up and go to parties. I also like that the next day is All Saints Day.[11]
What is your favorite book? Why?
When I was a kid, I read the Lord of the Rings many times because I was often home sick from school with these Camp LeJeune illnesses. I liked the loyalty of the two main characters and felt for the suffering they faced against terrible evil. I feel there is evil in this world and we must oppose it in favor of kindness and human empathy.[11]
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Ripley from Aliens, simply because of how resolute and strong she was fighting those nasty aliens.[11]
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My iPhone. I have always been a techie and initially in college at Indiana University, I was a biochemistry major.[11]
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Death Have Mercy, by Vera Hall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGwYD31dweo[11]
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
The death of my mother while I was in law school from the Camp LeJeune cancer. It was just a few months before Princess Diana died.[11]
What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?
It is the People's House. At the national level, it is the most democratic institution and closest to the People. This is why the spending decisions are placed in the House and why the House has so many powers listed in Article I. The House can be a miserly and even cruel place, and it can also be a place where hope and civil rights bloom. I hope to make it such a hopeful place.[11]
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes. Abraham Lincoln lost a number of times before his new party gained power. I have been heavily involved in politics and law for over 25 years. As a lawyer, I deal with the laws Congress passes all the time and I know where changes need to be made.[11]
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
The United States is too stretched over the entire world, interfering in the politics of other nations and this will come back to bite us just like it did the British Empire. I would reduce military spending and put it towards taking care of disabled veterans and their disabled family members. Disability rights is the principal civil rights category that anyone can join through a happenstance. That makes it a very high priority and it will be for me.[11]
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Veterans Affairs, Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Armed Services, Joint Committee on Taxation. I would also join the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus[11]
If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?
N/A[11]
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes. This was carefully decided by the Founders and it keeps the House within the control of the voters.[11]
What are your thoughts on term limits?
12 years is enough for any office. If I was so fortunate to be elected to the House and wanted to do more public service, there are plenty of other opportunities out there to do so. Nobody needs to be in Congress for more than 12 years, no matter what office, including federal judge.[11]
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I am offended by gerrymandering. The voters of a state should be randomly assigned to state district numbers and elections should happen at the state level. No longer should funky geographic shapes created for political advantage be used to taint the integrity of the House. Because this may make campaigning somewhat more expensive, Congress should give candidates a stipend and all voters must be required to provide email addresses and other contact information, and permission for candidates to call or write. Candidates should be able to download the current voter file for an entire state at any time without having to ask for permission. This should take no more than a few minutes. Further, I would support legislation to mandate that no state can impose signature requirements to get on the ballot. This is clearly within the House's power under Article I and it is long overdue because the states are not even close to uniform. Further, Congress should state that if a state is allowed to require signatures, candidates should must be allowed to gather them by permission over the phone or the Internet and write or type the voter's name. This reduces fraud and makes gathering signatures easier for disabled candidates and disabled signers.[11]
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I am the Founder of my party and will be the leader of that party (Disability Party) if I am so fortunate to be elected to the House.[11]
Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Tammy Duckworth. I admire her sacrifice of her legs and she represents the commitment to public service I was talking about above. While I don't agree with every position since she is in another party with a different platform, it would be my honor just to meet her and hopefully we could create some joint legislation that helps disabled people, disabled veterans and their families.[11]
Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I hear so many stories of people poisoned and disabled by military bases, with painful illnesses like spina bifida or autism or bipolar (like me). It is important that Congress hears those who hurt, who cry, who need their government to care of their sacrifices.[11]

2016

On July 28, 2022, Andrew Straw contacted Ballotpedia and wrote the following:

In my 2016 answers to your survey, I stated a certain opposition to abortion based on civil rights categories. My position is fuller now as a result of Dobbs and starts with women having a right to control their own bodies. The state should discourage abortions based on protected civil rights categories but should not ban them for any reason. This decision is between a doctor and patient and nobody else. No restrictions should be imposed by the state on any kind of birth control...Given the U.S. Senate Republicans completely abandoning disabled veterans by opposing the PACT Act (S. 3373) this week, I cannot in any way support that party for any reason. They must be driven from power everywhere. I am much more aligned with progressive Democrats, Greens, and of course Disability Party, which is a civil rights-focused party and thus more on the left. I am the Founder of Disability Party but I also caucus with Democrats Abroad and Indiana Green Party and support their goals, which match mine.[11]
  • Job Creation - strong support for education, tax restructuring to encourage hiring
  • Disability Rights - enforcing access increases jobs, jobs program for people with disabilities, federal loans for people with disabilities
  • Climate Change - like the Pope, Straw believes climate change is real and urgent. He would use the military and other agencies to combat its effects.
  • Immigration Reform
  • Abortion Ban - no abortions on any civil rights grounds, such as race, gender, nationality, or disability. Straw believes a fetus is a human being and therefore has human rights, such as the right to life.
  • Poisoning Compensation - family members of veterans. Children and spouses poisoned by a military base must be compensated and get health care for free, for life
  • Term Limits - signed US Term Limits Pledge in 2012.
  • Tax Reform - create national sales tax and slowly remove income tax burdens from the bottom of the income scale upwards.
  • Privacy - Straw wants privacy protections to be much stronger, both criminally and with civil lawsuit protections
  • Libel - Straw would make it easier to remove false and defamatory information from the Internet, since libel damages reputations and property rights.[11]

[1]

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Andrew Straw campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2022Indiana Secretary of StateLost general$0 $0
2020U.S. House Vermont At-large DistrictWithdrew primary$0 N/A**
2020U.S. House Virginia District 8Withdrew general$0 N/A**
2018U.S. House Illinois District 8Withdrew general$0 N/A**
Grand total$0 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Information submitted by candidate. 06/23/2015 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "submit" defined multiple times with different content
  2. Goshen News, "Local Lawyer Explores Run for U.S. Representative," March 21, 2011
  3. Information submitted by candidate. 01/25/2019
  4. Democracy Chronicles, "Andrew Straw articles," accessed February 7, 2019
  5. South Bend Tribune, "Goshen lawyer running for Congress," May 6, 2011
  6. Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed November 30, 2015
  7. The New York Times, "Illinois Primary Results," March 15, 2016
  8. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dq
  9. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  10. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Andrew U. D. Straw's responses," March 27, 2018
  11. 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 11.14 11.15 11.16 11.17 11.18 11.19 11.20 11.21 11.22 11.23 11.24 11.25 11.26 11.27 11.28 11.29 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.