Josh attended Costa Elementary and graduated from Galesburg High School. He attended Loyola University in Chicago where he earned an Honor’s Degree in Communication and Political Science, making the Dean’s list every semester and graduating magna cum laude.

Josh’s outstanding academic achievement is balanced with an even more impressive record of community service and leadership. As a college freshman, Josh supervised an after-school program for troubled kids. His sophomore year, Josh volunteered as the Special Programs Director for disadvantaged youth, organizing cultural field trips.

His junior year, Josh was a mentor and tutor to high school students through an after school program at Cristo Rey High School. He also spent his Christmas Break as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Brownsville, Texas, one of the poorest towns in the nation. After the school year was over, he traveled to Latin America to teach pre-school at a Children’s Development Center in Belize.

His senior year, Josh divided his service between national and local interests. First, he was elected President of the Loyola student body. He led the Student Senate and represented the student body of 5,000 to the Board of Trustees and the University administration. Josh also founded the local chapter of JUSTICE, a faith-based service organization with 28 chapters around the country. Josh served as an officer for the national organization, fostering community service around the nation.

After graduation, Josh made a choice that would change his life. He made a two-year commitment to community service around the nation through the Americorps program, the domestic version of the Peace Corps. Founded on the vision of President Kennedy, the Americorps program gives young people the chance to give back to their country and learn from hands on experience.

During his two years, Josh Watson served communities across the country. Organizing community service projects for children in Washington DC. Leading recreational programs for seniors in nursing homes around the Washington area. Aiding disaster victims in Oklahoma City. Revitalizing neighborhoods in Alabama. Firefighting in the forests and state parks in Maryland and Virginia. And administering after-school programs for elementary school children through the I Have a Dream Foundation in Los Angeles.

Why is he running?
Josh Watson is running for State Representative because he wants to continue to serve his community. As our State Representative, Josh Watson will dedicate the same energy and the same commitment to public service that he has his whole life. He will:

• Give our children a chance to learn and grow-up, safe and drug-free
• Support seniors and make health care more affordable
• Protect workers’ paychecks and their safety;
• Stop wasteful government spending and work to lower taxes, so that middleclass families can save for their children and their retirement.