Endorsement announced by Lucretia Hughes, Deputy National Communications Director
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — January 25, 2026 — Veterans for America First (VFAF) today announced its endorsement of Dr. Pamela Denise Long for United States Senate in Illinois, citing her America First platform, commitment to constitutional values, and focus on restoring public safety, fiscal discipline, and national sovereignty.
“Illinois families are being crushed by skyrocketing property taxes, an upside-down justice system, and the consequences of open-border policies that put American citizens last,” said Lucretia Hughes, Deputy National Communications Director for Veterans for America First. “Dr. Pamela Denise Long is the kind of leader VFAF stands with—bold, solutions-driven, and unafraid to say what millions of Americans already know: we need law and order, secure borders, and a federal government that serves the people—not the bureaucracy.”
Dr. Long, a 7th+ generation American, occupational therapist, political commentator, and Doctor of Organizational Development, says she was urged to run after Illinoisans asked her to help confront the impacts of mass immigration in Chicago and across the state.
“We are in a fight for the soul of our nation, and Illinois is on the front lines,” said Dr. Pamela Denise Long. “Cancel culture is off the rails. Gender ideology has gone too far. Mass immigration has flooded our neighborhoods and job sites. Families are being squeezed by taxes and crime. I’m running for U.S. Senate to represent the people of Illinois—ALL of us—with real talk, real solutions, and real results.”
VFAF cited the following priorities from Dr. Long’s platform and public statements:
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Border Security / End Illegal Immigration: Zero illegal immigration, no amnesty, completion of the border wall as required under federal law, and enforcement-first policies aligned with the rule of law.
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Public Safety and Consistent Justice: A focus on restoring community safety, supporting law enforcement, and demanding consistent criminal justice that protects citizens and deters repeat offenders.
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Balanced Budget and Accountability: A fiscally conservative approach emphasizing a balanced budget, opposition to new spending and new taxes until current programs are assessed for performance and outcomes, and support for reducing government redundancies.
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Foreign Aid Oversight / America First Priorities: No blank checks, tighter monitoring of foreign aid outcomes, restricting U.S. dollars to Ukraine pending review, and opposition to exporting ideological programs using taxpayer funds.
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Tax Relief and Pro-Family Economic Vision: Support for lifting the SALT cap as high as feasible, exploring long-term tax reform options, and advancing affordability policies that help Americans start families and build generational stability.
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Pro-Life Values: A clear pro-life position paired with support for women facing crisis pregnancies, including circumstances involving rape or incest.

