 This past weekend Illinois Sen. Bill Brady, R-44th, who is the
Republican candidate for governor, stopped by the home of Logan
County Republican Chairman Dave Bender and his wife, Carla, on
Sunday. Upwards of 300 well-wishers and contributors attended the
event.
At the Logan County Fair last Friday night, DK Hirner, who is the
Democratic candidate to unseat Aaron Schock in the 18th
Congressional District, and state Rep. Dave Miller, D-29th, who is
running for state comptroller, walked the Logan County Fair shaking
hands and talking to voters.
Although Brady is a Republican and Hirner and Miller are
Democrats, all three said they have found that voters statewide have
the same concerns and fears right now about the state and the
country. Taxes, job losses and the high cost of everything including
education are issues all three frequently hear from voters.
Dr. Miller, a dentist as well as 10-year Illinois legislator,
said that education is the key to bringing change to the state and
country.
"Without a good education, you won't be able to find a good job
in these times. But we must make education affordable," he said.
Miller said that increases in school aid should go to the
students to help offset their education expense rather than to
increases in pay for university staff. Miller said that too often a
student graduates from college with an enormous financial burden
caused by student loans.
Hirner says she is not a career politician and was the executive
director of the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group but resigned
to be able to campaign full time. She believes the key to the
economy is the creation of good jobs, saying the country is in an
"employment crisis." She gave an example of a young man she met who
lost his good-paying job and couldn't even get hired at a fast-food
business because he was overqualified. Hirner said families are
being asked to bear the burden of the recession, and even people who
have jobs are fearful about the future.
Miller, from the Chicago area, and Hirner, a Hannibal, Mo.,
native who now lives in Springfield, discounted the fact that they
were in a Republican area. Both said they have been busy talking to
people, and not talking along party lines but about issues, and that
people's concerns right now span party lines.
Both Miller and Hirner, making the rounds throughout central
Illinois, admitted their schedules were hectic, but both said they
have enjoyed meeting people from all over who share their concerns
and ideals for the future.
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Brady has been in overdrive as he buses around the state as well.
As the keynote speaker at the 2009 Lincoln Day banquet in Lincoln,
Brady said that the Republican Party must be the party of inclusion,
and some of his recent stops show he meant what he said. Among his
recent daily stops Brady visited a Hindu summer camp as well as
speaking to a group of Hispanic business leaders.
When asked if the constant road trip was having an adverse effect
on his family life, Brady said no. When in the Chicagoland area,
Brady has been able to visit with his daughter, Katie, a pediatric
heart nurse at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and his son,
Will, a law student at DePaul University.
And although he and his wife, Nancy, sometimes split up for
events, they do attend many together.
Brady, when asked if he noted a difference between upstate voters
compared with downstate, said he did not.
"From Chicago to Quincy to Metropolis, voters are worried about
the same things: high taxes, lack of jobs and the budget deficit,"
he said.
Brady was asked if he kept his eye on the polls, some of which
show he has a significant lead, while others show a smaller lead.
Brady replied, "The only poll that counts is the one in
November."
[By
MIKE FAK]
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