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Candidate Dan Brady, an Illinois state representative, defeated
John Milhiser for the Republican nomination. Alexi Giannoulias
beat several opponents in the Democratic primary.
Brady spoke during a GOP rally last week at the Illinois State
Fair in Springfield and explained why he wants to be the next
secretary of state.
"I am running for this office, not because I want to use it as a
springboard for another political office, I'm running because I
have always been and will continue to be a public servant who
will put the public first," Brady said.
Giannoulias, a former state treasurer, pushed for public support
to get him and other Democrats elected this fall.
"We need everyone's help for the next 80 days. Let's do
everything we possibly can to elect the outstanding candidates
out there and the amazing candidates and leaders up here,"
Giannoulias said.
Both candidates have run on making the office more accessible to
residents.
Giannoulis said he would take a technical approach.
"We will have digital driver licenses and digital I.D.s, so we
can make it easier for the people who work there and the people
who are waiting in line," Giannoulias said. "For someone to have
to take two buses and wait in the snow for two hours in line for
these simple services, we believe is something that can be
remedied."
Brady spoke about addressing what he sees as a staffing shortage
at the various offices.
"The secretary of state's office is a constitutional office that
touches more lives of Illinois residents daily than any other,"
Brady said. "When you talk about the motor vehicle divisions,
they haven't been fully staffed in years, and you have to start
with that."
The position is up for grabs for the first time in 23 years
after White chose not to seek reelection. The two candidates
will face off in the general election Nov. 8. Early voting
begins Sept. 29.
Andrew Hensel has years of experience as a
reporter and pre-game host for the Joliet Slammers, and as a
producer for the Windy City Bulls. A graduate of Iowa Wesleyan
University and Illinois Media School, Andrew lives in the south
suburbs of Chicago.
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