Their backgrounds may be vastly different, but in terms of experience, the three Republicans seeking to represent Naperville and Lisle voters in the Illinois House of Representatives believe they have the right stuff.
Dave Carlin, 32, of Naperville, said his work with the Illinois and DuPage County Republican Parties give him “a unique perspective, fresh ideas.” Carlin also serves as a College of DuPage trustee and worked on the failed 2006 gubernatorial campaign of Ron Gidwitz.
Michael Connelly, 43, a former Lisle trustee and a current member of the DuPage County Board, said his background as an attorney and community leader make him the best choice to replace retiring Republican Rep. James Meyer of Naperville in the 48th District.
“I think it is time for the [Republican] Party to bring in guys like me who are not party insiders but who are connected to the community,” Connelly said.
Doug Krause, 59, said 19 years on the Naperville City Council have taught him a thing or two about leadership and the legislative process.
“I have experience balancing budgets, being responsive to residents’ concerns and needs,” said Krause, who ran unsuccessfully for Naperville mayor last year as well as in 1995 and 1991.
Carlin, Connelly and Krause all support 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms and promise to hold the line on taxes, but they distinguish themselves on other issues such as whether Chicago should have a casino, how to fund public schools and their views on abortion. The candidates will square off in the Feb. 5 primary.
While both Connelly and Carlin describe themselves as Catholic and opposed to abortion, Krause said life experience has persuaded him to support abortion rights. Krause said he and his wife lost a daughter four days after she was born with severe birth defects.
“That should be a decision between myself, my wife, our doctor and our religion. I don’t think the government should be involved in that,” Krause said.
On gambling, Krause said he could support a Chicago casino if it were owned jointly by the city and the state, and “revenues generated could go to pay for education, transportation and capital projects.”
Carlin said he, too, would be open to a Chicago casino “as long as it was properly regulated and any revenue raised was controlled by the legislature.”
Connelly, on the other hand, laughed and shook his head when asked about a Chicago casino.
“I would never support a Chicago casino run by the city. I don’t think that is the way to go,” he said, adding that he would be willing to consider other proposals by Republican leadership to expand gaming.
Krause supports consolidating school districts as a way to stretch education dollars. Communities with separate elementary and high school districts should become one district to eliminate duplication in administrative costs, Krause said.
“If you can’t raise revenue, cut expenses,” he said.
Carlin said he would like to increase funding for public schools and reduce dependence on property taxes. The state must make education funding a priority, he said.
“Look at places in the budget where waste could be cut and find [the money] that way,” Carlin said.
Connelly is adamantly opposed to proposals that would swap property taxes for income taxes.
“It’s not a tax swap. It’s an income tax increase to replenish pension funds that the governor took [for the budget],” Connelly said.
Connelly supports school vouchers and more charter schools in underperforming communities.
———-
jkimberly@tribune.com
