* Public Radio profiles the establishment Republicans’ candidate for state treasurer…
Jim Dodge ran unsuccessfully for Comptroller in 2010. The Orland Park village trustee offered few specifics, but is campaigning on what he says is a need for change in Illinois politics. He called out House Speaker Mike Madigan and other Democrats. Within his own party, Dodge says he agrees with Bruce Rauner.
“Of the choices, I would rather prefer Governor Rauner versus anybody that’s on the Democrat side, and I think he’s doing all he can in near impossible circumstances to put Illinois on the right track,” he said.
Dodge says Democratic opponent Mike Frerichs is a part of the “Madigan Machine.” Frerichs’s campaign responded by listing accomplishments that include a law he pushed to require life insurance firms do more to track down beneficiaries.
As for garnering support for his campaign, Dodge says it’s a work in progress, but that he’ll be working closely with the Republican nominee for Governor. Jeanne Ives has filed as a Republican primary opponent to Rauner.
* Dodge ran against Judy Baar Topinka in 2010…
Topinka believes the comptroller office should be combined with the state treasurer’s office, which oversees state investments, because they duplicate some duties; such a move would require a voter-approved constitutional amendment.
She estimates merging the offices will save up to $20 million a year, citing salary costs and programs that can be “tightened up.”
Dodge called Topinka’s plan a “campaign ploy.”
Dodge ran a very negative campaign against Topinka and was rewarded by primary voters with a third-place finish and a mere 19 percent. Believe it or not, the dude actually finished behind William Kelly.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:33 am:
Please! Do not encourage more Bill Kelly comments!
- ste_with_a_v_en - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:56 am:
Rich,
What do you think Judy Baar Topinka would think of the political climate today?
- Cimry90 - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:58 am:
In my opinion, criticizing Topinka is not a good campaign ploy.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:01 am:
==and I think he’s doing all he can in near impossible circumstances to put Illinois on the right track,” he said.==
He has had a full term in office - so, name three things Rauner’s done Mr. Dodge. One thing for each year he has been governor.
What part of his tax raise do you like? What part of taxpayer funding of elective abortions do you like?
Give up, Mr. Dodge?
So. have.we.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:08 am:
===“Of the choices, I would rather prefer Governor Rauner versus anybody that’s on the Democrat side, and I think he’s doing all he can in near impossible circumstances to put Illinois on the right track,” he said.===
“Imagine if Bruce Rauner was in charge” - Fake Jim Dodge…
… Rauner fails, but “let’s keep failing”?
Yikes.
- Dodging - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:11 am:
So Dodge was Rauner’s pick to run for treasurer and he’s defending Rauner? Wasn’t this guy who claimed to be the “conservative” choice against Topinka? All this says to me is that Jim Dodge was always a shill for the establishment.
- ste_with_a_v_en - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:18 am:
“name three things Rauner’s done”
Education Bill
Energy Bill
Illinois Department of Technology
All pretty big deals.
Name 5 things Ives has done? One for every year she has been in office.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:20 am:
This race is his penance.
- Generic Drone - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:39 am:
Hey Guvner. When you write that check, it’s spelled D o d g e. Thanks for your contribution.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:44 am:
Your list of accomplishments includes an item passed over his veto, a delartment funded unconstitutionally, and an energy bill only Ameren loves.
You are very easily impressed by a guy who says he’s not in control.
==Name 5 things Ives has done? One for every year she has been in office==
If she becomes governor, the same question would apply. Legislators in a distinct minority aren’t in charge of 1/3rd of our state government as Governor “I’m not in charge”, ought to have been.
- Sonny - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:07 am:
Whoop dee doo. Education Bill … hilarious. DOIT - A money pit with zero to show for it. Got anything else?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:21 am:
==Illinois Department of Technology==
I wouldn’t count that as an accomplishment.
- Michael Westen - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:36 am:
Education Bill
Energy Bill
You mean the education bill that he called a “Chicago bailout” before he signed it and the energy bill that will cause everyone’s electric bill to go up? Those are two “accomplishments” you are touting? Seriously?
- Ste_with_a_ven - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 12:28 pm:
Considering that all of those bills have received national attention for bi partisan support and actually help to solve problems, yes they count. He also helped get a case the the Supreme Court. Rauner has done more than Ives could ever dream of.
- Ste_with_a_ven - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 12:31 pm:
Plus Ives has been non-stop lying to appease the rabid right wing that are convinced abortion and immigration are the states biggest problems.
- Angry Republican - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 12:35 pm:
What a perfect name for a politician - Dodge.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
===Plus Ives has been non-stop lying to appease the rabid right wing that are convinced abortion and immigration are the states biggest problems.===
LOL…
Signing HB40 and Sancutary State issues are GOP
hot button topics.
Rauner, if you include criminal justice reform… Rauner is a ultra-left coastal limousine social agenda liberal…
That’s Rauner’s record.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 1:07 pm:
Bruce has been able to blame Madigan for four years, that’s an accomplishment.
- cailleach - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
Dodge would rather back Rauner than any Democrat? Regardless of record (or lack thereof)? What is he, from Alabama?
- pskila - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
blame game for 3 years and counting
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 4:32 pm:
Judy wanted to combine the 2 offices since the day she was Tres in Jan 1995. Madigan said no and that was the end. 1970 con con didn’t have a Tres spot but the downstate Dems got old man Daley to put it in because they thought they could win that spot.