The candidates in the hotly contested but little noticed campaign to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate flailed at each other Thursday in a debate that attracted an audience of about 50.
Chicago business executive George Ranney, who abandoned his speak-no-evil tactics a few days ago, accused State Rep. Judy Koehler (R., Henry) of having failed ”to propose or push through any legislation” during her years in the House.
”Her colleagues understand her quite well,” Ranney said, ”which is why, in October of last year, they voted her one of the 10 worst legislators in the state” in a newspaper poll.
Koehler, meanwhile, who says her colleagues dislike her because she returns $8,000 a year in pay, stepped up her attacks on Ranney`s personal voting record, noting he failed to vote in Republican primaries in 1982 or 1984.
”It`s incredible for him to ask us to vote for him when he has not even fulfilled the minimal act of good government and citizenship,” she said.
Ranney has said he failed to vote in the 1982 and 1984 general elections because of illness and a business trip, but he has not explained his absence from the GOP primaries and refused to do so after the debate. ”I`ve done enough explaining on that issue,” he said.
The debate, at Governors State University in south suburban University Park, failed to bring out many substantive differences between the two candidates, both of whom support most of President Reagan`s policies.
Ranney did take a somewhat stronger stand than Koehler on his determination to bring federal dollars to Illinois, despite the federal budget deficit.
Asked whether she would push for federal funding of the Southwest Side rapid transit line, Koehler said, ”As with all taxpayers` dollars, we would have to first determine whether or not it was a necessary expenditure or an efficient use of our tax dollars.”
Ranney retorted, ”The Southwest rapid transit program is one that the people of that area have wanted for many years and that we have a commitment from the federal government to move ahead on. I wouldn`t suggest for a minute that we let it go by the boards.”
Afterward, Koehler said Ranney`s criticism of her was evidence that ”he knows he`s behind and he`s desperate.”
Ranney replied, ”Everything I said will be said by the Democrats if she wins the primary. Republican voters had better know about it now.”
