James Ascot, a longtime Chicago business leader, is running in the Democratic primary to represent the 7th Congressional District.

James Ascot is president of Ascot Realty Group, Inc., a commercial real estate service company which specializes in commercial investments and commercial owner and tenant representation throughout the country. Ascot holds real estate broker licenses in Illinois and California. He also earned the National Association of Realtors Certified Commercial Investment Member and Certified International Property Specialist designations.

In all his years of leadership, Ascot has always made it his trademark to give back to the community. A graduate of Lane Technical High School, he served as chairman of its Local School Council (LSC) and later president of the Lane Tech Alumni Association.

During his leadership as president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, he developed the Chicago Public Schools Ambassador Program, a multi-faceted series of activities that involve members with community schools. As Education Foundation Chairman for the Association, he led its Task Force to develop affordable housing in the City of Chicago.

He has also served as president of the Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers and on numerous committees of the Illinois and National Associations of REALTORS®., including chairman of the NAR Real Property Operation Committee and chairman of the International Operations Committee.

Ascot has served as the Chicago president of the International Real Estate Federation.

He was also a director of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce where he co-chaired a committee with the objective of increasing the quality and number of work-ready employees entering the workforce, a member of Rotary One, dedicated to a Jobstart Mentoring Program for Chicago youth.

In 2006 he ran in the Democratic Primary as a candidate for the House of Representatives representing the 7th Congressional District in Illinois. In 2008 he was appointed by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to the State of Illinois Election Day Registration Commission, and later elected Chairman.

Ascot received his bachelor and master degrees from Bradley University and his Ph.D. from Columbia Pacific University in San Rafael, California.