The Democrats have a stranglehold on Illinois, helped not a little by having one of their own as President (Barack Obama was a Senator from the state when he was elected President in 2008). Both houses of the state legislature are held by a strong Democratic majority, so Republicans have had little chance to influence policy. However, conservative candidates Illinois 2014 see an opening and hope to change the balance of power.
Illinois has many ongoing problems and little signs of improvement. The credit rating of this northern state is the lowest in the nation. There is a multi-billion dollar pension deficit for civil servants, and almost $5 billion dollars worth of delinquent bills. There is also a serious and rising jobless rate. Because the majority party hasn't gotten control of either the present or the future, Republican and Independent candidates are hoping voters are ready for a different approach.
This made the primary races of greater than usual interest in March. There were also some flamboyant candidates. Millionaire businessman Bruce Rauner won the Republican primary for Governor, spending a record $6 million dollars on his campaign. A surprisingly vigorous labor union opposition was unable to derail his victory. He hopes to mount a successful challenge to Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.
If he is successful, it will be the first time a Republican has been Governor since 1998. Republicans also aim to change the balance of power in the state legislature. They hope to get past the veto-proof majority that Democrats have enjoyed for years.
All 18 of the state's House of Representative seats will be on the ballot in the fall of 2014. One of the most interesting races to the nation at large is that of incumbent Jesse Jackson Jr., who has been in office since 1995. He may be more vulnerable than usual because of ethical problems and health concerns during recent years. Currently 12 of the state's 18 House seats are held by Democrats.
Republicans would love to see Senate Majority Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin lose his seat. Durbin has been a strong and vocal supporter of the Affordable Care Act, one of the more unpopular bills under President Obama. He has also supported raising the debt ceiling and controversial social policies like same-sex marriage, the Common Core public school curriculum, and funding for Planned Parenthood.
Durbin's challenger is another businessman and a current state Senator, Jim Oberweis. He operates a chain of ice cream shops in the Chicago area. He is a strong supporter of traditional family values and was endorsed for the primaries by Family PAC. He has promised to serve only two terms, making a statement about entrenched politicians. Durbin is serving his third term now, having been in office for 17 years.
This may be the year that the Democrats lose their stranglehold on Illinois. A conservative backlash may well usher in change - hopefully for the better.
Illinois has many ongoing problems and little signs of improvement. The credit rating of this northern state is the lowest in the nation. There is a multi-billion dollar pension deficit for civil servants, and almost $5 billion dollars worth of delinquent bills. There is also a serious and rising jobless rate. Because the majority party hasn't gotten control of either the present or the future, Republican and Independent candidates are hoping voters are ready for a different approach.
This made the primary races of greater than usual interest in March. There were also some flamboyant candidates. Millionaire businessman Bruce Rauner won the Republican primary for Governor, spending a record $6 million dollars on his campaign. A surprisingly vigorous labor union opposition was unable to derail his victory. He hopes to mount a successful challenge to Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.
If he is successful, it will be the first time a Republican has been Governor since 1998. Republicans also aim to change the balance of power in the state legislature. They hope to get past the veto-proof majority that Democrats have enjoyed for years.
All 18 of the state's House of Representative seats will be on the ballot in the fall of 2014. One of the most interesting races to the nation at large is that of incumbent Jesse Jackson Jr., who has been in office since 1995. He may be more vulnerable than usual because of ethical problems and health concerns during recent years. Currently 12 of the state's 18 House seats are held by Democrats.
Republicans would love to see Senate Majority Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin lose his seat. Durbin has been a strong and vocal supporter of the Affordable Care Act, one of the more unpopular bills under President Obama. He has also supported raising the debt ceiling and controversial social policies like same-sex marriage, the Common Core public school curriculum, and funding for Planned Parenthood.
Durbin's challenger is another businessman and a current state Senator, Jim Oberweis. He operates a chain of ice cream shops in the Chicago area. He is a strong supporter of traditional family values and was endorsed for the primaries by Family PAC. He has promised to serve only two terms, making a statement about entrenched politicians. Durbin is serving his third term now, having been in office for 17 years.
This may be the year that the Democrats lose their stranglehold on Illinois. A conservative backlash may well usher in change - hopefully for the better.
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