I was in the
second row of the audience on Monday night when the candidates for the Illinois
House seat representing our area met for the first----and only time---to
discuss the issues.
I don’t do
endorsements. I’m just going to tell you what I saw and noted.
Darren
Bailey, the Republican from Louisville, seemed much more comfortable in front
of the crowd in Frontier Community College’s Workforce Development Center. Of
course, he is battle tested by running a campaign which unseated incumbent
David Reis during the primaries.
Given
certainly has some impressive credentials. The Democrat from Olney has been a
business owner for 11 years, studied history at LSU, and worked as an intern
for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. She understands the district having been raised
in Carmi, studied at Wabash Valley and has served in many volunteer roles in
Richland County.
On the
issues, they really only totally agreed on one. Both feel hydraulic fracturing in
the aging oilfields of southeastern Illinois is a good thing. If you listen to
these commentaries, you know that is a big deal to me.
Bailey has
signed a pledge not to raise taxes. She won’t. Given said she could not support
legalization of pot until there is a way to measure people’s intoxication…like
we measure people’s blood alcohol level when they drink. Bailey left open supporting
medicinal cannabis, but is wholly against recreational pot.
I left
wanting to hear more.
I believe Given has a big task in beating her
Republican rival. He rocketed into this race by calling out his representative
for crossing over and supporting a budget written by Speaker Mike Madigan.
Whether she admits it or not---she will have to listen to Madigan. He’s the
party boss. And that’s why Bailey has to be considered the favorite.
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