Cheri Bustos

Cheri Bustos in 2013

Cheryl Lea Bustos (born October 17, 1961) is an American journalist, healthcare executive, and politician who served as the U.S. representative from Illinois's 17th congressional district from 2013 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman elected to Congress from her district in the northwestern part of the state, anchored by the Illinois side of the Quad Cities and partially including Peoria and Rockford. In 2019, Bustos became chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

Quotes

• I always saw the best reporters as ones you hardly ever saw other than when they were back in the newsroom, writing their stories.
  • Rep. Bustos treads unusual path as a journalist-turned-politician The hill (May 13, 2013).
• I just think, our core values as Democrats, we’re pretty much on the same page. We want to make sure that people have opportunities to do better.
  • Facing down liberal critics, Rep. Cheri Bustos pledges to keep Democrats’ tent big The Washington Post (June 1, 2019).
• I believe in being a team player, and you may have disagreements at practice,” she said. “But when you’re out there playing the game, you better all come together.
  • Facing down liberal critics, Rep. Cheri Bustos pledges to keep Democrats’ tent big The Washington Post (June 1, 2019).
• I always saw the best reporters as ones you hardly ever saw other than when they were back in the newsroom, writing their stories.
  • [1] ^{[specific citation needed]}

• If there's any success that I've had, it is a direct reflection of the people I work with. We have a very smart team and an extremely hardworking team, both here in Washington and back in Illinois.
  • [2] ^{[specific citation needed]}

• I always saw the best reporters as ones you hardly ever saw other than when they were back in the newsroom, writing their stories.
  • [3] ^{[specific citation needed]}

• "By fighting for the core Democratic values that unite us while holding President Trump accountable next year, we will achieve a strong, diverse and lasting Democratic majority"
  • [4] Cheri Bustos, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ Announces Bid for Assistant Democratic Leader if Democrats win the Majority- Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

• "As Democrats, our strength has always come from our diversity and, if we win in November, I intend to run for Assistant Democratic Leader with a focus on protecting a new Democratic majority beyond the 2020 cycle so we can deliver bold change for the American people"
  • [5]Cheri Bustos, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ Announces Bid for Assistant Democratic Leader if Democrats win the Majority- Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

• " My vision for this role will be to engage the entire Caucus to support one another, but particularly our new and most vulnerable members"
  • [6] On democrats