The race for the Republican nomination for Illinois governor is reaching its final phases, with candidates making their concluding appeals to voters ahead of the March 17 primary.
Throughout the campaign, “affordability” has emerged as the central theme. As Election Day approaches, each candidate is striving to set themselves apart in this crowded field.
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With early voting already in full swing, the Republican hopefuls are aware that the clock is ticking to communicate their platforms and mobilize their base.
Among the candidates is former state Senator Darren Bailey, who secured the Republican nomination four years ago. He asserts that he brings a stronger candidacy to the table this time.
“I believe my empathy has deepened since then,” Bailey stated. “My improved listening skills will be crucial in guiding Illinois through what I see as a current crisis.”
As they rally for support, the candidates emphasize affordability, especially in light of rising gas prices.
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“We can address that we can begin to to push back on property taxes and offer relief; we can begin to, you know, we can talk about rolling back the the gas tax,” Bailey said.
Former finance executive Ted Dabrowski says Illinois’ economic troubles can’t be blamed on the Trump administration, as Gov. JB Pritzker did during his budget address.
“Gov. Pritzker tries to pretend like he’s taking charge of affordability, but it’s under him where we have the highest property taxes in the country. Gov. Pritzker doubled the motor fuel tax. Now we have the third highest gas taxes in the country. He’s done nothing about those things,” Dabrowski said.
Dabrowski says Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers have veered the state too far left, and it’s time for a change.
“We’ve moved so far away from what I’d call Midwest values that I think there’s enough Chicagoans and Illinois who want normalcy again, and they’re going to come back to the center. And they’re going to look for Republicans, and I think that’s our big opportunity here,” Dabrowski said.
James Mendrick, the current DuPage County sheriff, has similar top concerns as his opponents.
“I think it’s easy to just sum it up into safety and economy. I mean, of course that’s going to be what what everybody, you know, that those are the prevailing winds right now,” Mendrick said.
Mendrick is trying to reach as many voters as possible without a lot of campaign cash.
“I’m feeling really good. I think we’re the definition of what you call a grassroots campaign. I don’t have millions of dollars; so, I was forced to now go to 89 different counties in this, in this state,” Mendrick said.
Pritzker, for his part, launched a series of campaign ads to reinforce that he is standing up to Donald Trump, and advocating for Illinois. He is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
The primary is now just 12 days away; so, it will be non-stop for the candidates until then.
The fourth Republican in the race, Rick Heidner, was buzzing from one campaign event to another Thursday, and was unavailable for an interview.
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