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A “MacGuyver campaign”

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Illinois

* Bert Miller’s ties to - and his campaign contributions to - Democrats became a major issue in the closing days of the 11th Congressional District GOP primary. State Rep. Darlene Senger didn’t raise a lot of money, but she cobbled together a few bucks then spent it wisely, knocking the previous frontrunner out of contention.

Sound like a familiar idea? Yeah. Senger did what some other folks shoulda done against a certain Republican with lots of Dem ties.

* Daily Herald…

With 408 of the 417 precincts reporting, unofficial results show Senger with 37.7 percent of the vote. Chris Balkema of Channahon, Bert Miller of Hinsdale and Ian Bayne of Aurora had 32.4 percent, 26.4 percent and 3.5 percent of the vote, respectively.

Senger said the outcome of the race sent a message that voters in the district want her to repeal Obamacare, find a solution to the nation’s budget and deficit problems and change regulations that are killing job creation.

“I ran for this race because every day I wake up I’m represented by someone that believes in bigger government, Obamacare and more regulation,” she said. “We’re going to change that in November.”

Senger, who decided not to seek re-election at the state level to make a bid for the congressional seat, said during the campaign that the Affordable Care Act is “totally destructive and broken” in its current form.

Senger faces incumbent Bill Foster.

* Meanwhile, speaking of MacGuyver candidates, how about that Doug Truax against Jim Oberweis? Yeah, he lost, but he was supposed to get creamed…

In a closer-than-expected GOP primary race Tuesday, Oberweis emerged the victor, capturing 56 percent of the vote to Doug Truax’s 44 percent, with 98 percent of the state’s precincts reporting, according to unofficial returns.

Truax called Oberweis to concede, and later the victor declared that “it’s safe to say” he had captured the nomination.

“I believe that if I win this Senate seat, it means that the Republicans will be taking control of the U.S. Senate and that will change the direction of this country,” Oberweis told supporters.

The man loves his drama, heading to Florida for a week-long break right before the primary, then literally running away from reporters when he finally returned. Rauner is gonna have to figure out how to keep his distance.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:15 pm

Comments

It is going to be fun to see Rauner try to duck Oberweis at Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair.

Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:18 pm
Senger’s strong and smart, and should have been predicted to win.

So far she’s just parroting national GOP talking points. We’ll see if she’s got any more.

Comment by Walker Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:21 pm
The one percent ticket Oberweis/Rauner. Sound good doesn’t it.

Comment by Eileen left Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:22 pm
Get use to “Oberweis/Rauner, Oberweis/Rauner…”

Four years ago Kirk/Brady got separation, but “.01%”ers with a wife as a Florida resident, and Chicago resident, but Winnetka license holding Clouter as another will be difficult to “shake”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:31 pm
I was rooting for Oberweis and when I saw how close it was last night, the only explanation I could think of was either Illinois Republicans were finally coming to their senses or that all of the Democrats crossing over to vote for Dillard were also voting for Truax.

Thankfully Oberweis pulled it out and can now entertain us for the next 6 months.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:42 pm
–The man loves his drama, heading to Florida for a week-long break right before the primary, then literally running away from reporters when he finally returned.–

You have to wonder what surprises Obie has for the general to manufacture some drama:

–Fire up the chopper to search for Flight 370.

–Airlift ice cream to Ukraine.

–Claim a sasquatch sighting in Sugar Grove.

–Lead troopers on a high-speed “Smokey and the Bandit” chase down I-57 from Tinley to Marion.

If history is a guide, whatever it is, it will be hilarious.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:42 pm
Darlene Senger has spunk and will put up a fight for Mr. Foster’s seat. It helps she lives in the district and has represented constituents in her new (and old) legislative districts. The other guys could not even vote for themselves.

BTW - campaign creativity was admirable as Mr. Bayne hired live people to display huge signs at major intersections (must have added something to his 3.5% - or not).

Comment by anonymoose Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 1:46 pm
I’m already sick of the class warfare. They are richer than you. Get over it and beat them on the issues.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 2:22 pm
Income inequality IS an issue, Vanilla Man.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 2:31 pm
Only to the jealous sychophants who want a free ride.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 2:34 pm
===Only to the jealous sychophants who want a free ride.===

Only to those who see a man of means try to seem “like us” with an $18 watch and pristine Carhartt mock real people with every word.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 2:54 pm
= Rauner is gonna have to figure out how to keep his distance. =

He’s not the only one.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 3:03 pm
Vman the fact is that these fat cats don’t care about Illinois they care about their pocket books. They are the ones who should bre glad to pay taxes but no, they find every loop hole that their money can buy and they still want more. So who is more deserving of a little break every now and then some poor slob busting his or her hump for minimum wage or some rich guy who wouldn’t miss a few million in taxes.

Comment by Eileen left Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 3:06 pm
To Rauner’s credit, he releases his returns and he does pay a surprisingly decent amount in taxes. He also doesn’t seem to be hiding money overseas to avoid taxation.

Not like some of his bigger political supporters.

Comment by Walker Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 3:23 pm
Maybe before the fall election Rauner and Oberweis can hitch up at Rauner’s ranch or even his castle, I mean condo, surrounded by a moat.

Also, the reason people resent folks like Oberweis and Rauner VM is that some of us can only afford $18 watches. And we don’t pretend we are regular folks when we wear them while we actually own 9 mansions, Central Park condos, and ranches. So you’re rich, that’s fine. But don’t lie and tell me you live like me and know those concerns like I do because you don’t. That’s what I’m asking for from Rauner and Oberweis.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:06 pm