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Paging Tony Peraica!

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* Bruce Rauner won this district two years ago 59-38 and the Democratic challenger raised just $680 in the second quarter, so it’s likely not in play anyway…

Seeking to keep a targeted Lake County legislative seat in GOP hands, House Republican strategists on Thursday will launch cable television ads highlighting past convictions of Democratic challenger Nick Ciko for theft of a parking pass in college and driving under the influence of alcohol years later.

Ciko, 42, a middle school teacher from Lindenhurst, said Wednesday he is sorry for mistakes he made while he was younger, but the political strategy is “exactly what’s wrong with Illinois and the politics of self-destruction that makes people sick.”

Mike Schrimpf, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bruce Rauner, who now works as a consultant in several state legislative races, confirmed to the Daily Herald the cable ads will begin airing Thursday and detail a 1996 theft conviction Ciko has recently been seeking to expunge from his record.

Ciko, a teacher at Mundelein Elementary District 75 and an Antioch-Lake Villa High School District 117 board member, is making a bid against first-term GOP incumbent Sheri Jesiel, of Winthrop Harbor, in the 61st state House district.

As one Republican remarked, this is “Vetting malpractice. Putting that poor schmuck up just to get nuked from orbit.”

Agreed.

* Here’s the TV ad…

* Script…

Nick Ciko pled guilty to stealing, but wants us to trust him with our money?

Now that he’s running for state representative, Nick Ciko has been working to cover up his record of theft, deception and recklessness.

As a union leader, Ciko got caught making false statements. Adding to his rap sheet of driving under the influence and theft.

That’s why Mike Madigan is spending big to prop up Ciko’s failing campaign. And why Illinois voters will vote no on Nick Ciko.

Oof.

Although the part about Madigan spending big money to prop him up is kinda funny, considering how far down the food chain the candidate is. But, hey, just about every GOP hit piece these days includes Madigan somehow. The accompanying mailer is here. The allegation about false statements is explained here.

* So, why are the Republicans spending money on this little guy? Because Gov. Rauner’s cash means they can easily afford to make sure he doesn’t ever come even a little close.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:34 pm

Comments

Paging Tony Peraica - I need you to file a duplicate Gonzales lawsuit, somebody is saying something bad about me and my feelings are hurt.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:47 pm
Saint Francis could not run for office today. He had a profligate and sinful youth.

This is an attempt to scare off people. It will work for many.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:49 pm
Madigan and the hit squad he controls.

Comment by Springfieldish Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:51 pm
“Politics ain’t beanbag.”

Comment by truth squad Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:55 pm
I thought this was the country of second chances if you worked hard?

Comment by here we go Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:57 pm
This might also be a thread about criminal justice reforms, maybe we should look at expunging all records after a certain period of time (10 years maybe?). In reality the only kind of people who would use petty crime from more than 10 years ago are only out to embarrass someone for personal gain or malice. Of course Media, businesses and political bosses would be opposed.

Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:05 pm
Just because he can. Pretty much sums up the Bruce Rauner method to everything.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:07 pm
It’s like taking a meat cleaver to kill a fly, but whatever.

Comment by Indochine Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:08 pm
“So, why are the Republicans spending money on this little guy? Because Gov. Rauner’s cash means they can easily afford to make sure he doesn’t ever come even a little close.”

And to make sure that there is enough bloodshed to discourage any better vetted candidates in the future.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:10 pm
Second acts may be more rare than they should be. I don’t expect saints in the sausage making business but why would you run with this much history, In the 60’s and 70’s he would not have been teaching.

Comment by Matt Vernau Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:14 pm
===As one Republican remarked, this is “Vetting malpractice. Putting that poor schmuck up just to get nuked from orbit.”===

This sort of goes hand in hand with the Rauner approach to governing placing the blame on others. There’s no requirement to go negative. If you’re polling double digits ahead in a district.

Should someone with a conviction for a minor crime decades ago be forbidden from holding public office? Probably not. Do you have to be a character assassin to win an election in a district where you have a 20 point advantage? Probably not.

This might just be a case of where a Republican consultant has money available and wanted to cut the ad and place the ad just for the business. There are better things that the Republicans could be doing with these funds in legislative races.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:14 pm
Should someone with a conviction for a minor crime decades ago be forbidden from holding public office? Probably not. Do you have to be a character assassin to win an election in a district where you have a 20 point advantage? Probably not.

So like the guy who ran against Madigan in the primary who was the real candidate?

As for your observations, that is up to the voters to decide isn’t it. Heck folks under indictment win primaries in Illinois, so there is that.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:25 pm
The School Board Said A Sticking Point Was The “Amount Of

Money The Teachers Will Recive.”
Always torques me when there is misspelling in headlines…particularly about teachers!!!

Comment by cardsmama Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Pedant Warning: The past tense of “plead” is “pleaded” not “pled.”

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:35 pm
Obama won the district easily in 2012. This isn’t 2014 with Quinn. It’s 2016 with Trump.

Comment by Stan Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:19 pm