Dupage Policy Journal

Abigail Emerson admits she’s been disappointed by what she’s seen thus far in her run for Glen Ellyn District 41 school board.

“I want to do something good for the community, but I’m not a freaking politician,” Emerson, a grade-school teacher and mother of three young daughters, told the DuPage Policy Journal. "I’m happy to stand up to it, but I need special guidance if I’m going to do that.”

Emerson admits she’s been totally shocked by how partisan the race has been, not to mention a recent phone call she received from Indivisible DuPage attorney Matt Gasaway that she said she found to be downright threatening as he peppered her about online posts he felt were off base.  

It’s all been a lot to take for someone who entered the race believing her combination of being a mother, teacher and coach covered all the bases in terms of what her community needed in order to put its best foot forward.

“I will admit, I am shaken,” Emerson posted on Facebook. “Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like the attacks of late on a fellow candidate and community member. I guess I’m a bit naïve and tend to think the best in people, especially those in my community.”

Emerson said it’s been a lesson learned, and one that’s made her more determined than ever to be the voice she feels her community needs.

“Any worries or fears regarding the outcome of this election now have nothing to do with missing out on an opportunity to help this community, and everything to do with the prospect of a group of extremists, supported by our union, controlling this district and continuing to push an agenda at the expense of our kids and community,” Emerson said.