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For at least the second time, Jesse White’s GOP opponent makes ageist remark

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Illinois

* Mike Riopell at the Tribune…

At a meeting before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Republican candidate and Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland countered by calling White “the term-limit king.”

“He didn’t want to run in 2014. He didn’t want to run in 2018. I think it’s time to retire Jesse White,” Helland, of Mazon, said.

Asked if he had an issue with White’s age, Helland replied: “Absolutely,” adding White’s “not capable” of continuing serving until his term would end in January 2023.

White, well-known for the Chicago tumbling team that bears his name, later replied: “By the way, I think I’m in better shape than this gentleman.”

Libertarian candidate Steve Dutner, of, Elgin called Helland’s comments a “form of ageism.”

It’s not a “form of ageism,” it’s outright ageism. And it’s not the first time he’s done this, either. Click here if you need a reminder.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:46 am

Comments

It would be wrong for White to use this as an opportunity to use Hellends youth and inexperience against him for political gain.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:49 am
Jesse White should respond (quoting Ronald Reagan): “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”

Comment by Steve Rogers Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:50 am
If all Mr. Helland has on Jesse White is that he’s over a certain age Helland thinks is useful, then that says a lot about how well Mr. White has operated the Office of the Secretary of State.

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:52 am
What would Ronald Reagan think about that?

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:52 am
Go stand in the corner, young man.

Comment by a drop in Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:56 am
Questioning if five terms is enough = fair.
Questioning Jesse’s prior flip-flopping on whether to run again or not = fair.
Questioning if he plans to step down after the election to allow an appointed successor to get a foothold in the job = fair.
Assuming he can’t do the job just because of a number = not fair.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:56 am
Just what is the GOP’s path to victory this election. They have managed to tick off just about every minority group and women. But they needed to go further and tick off the AARP age voters. They really don’t understand winning elections is about adding to your supporters.

Somewhere right now they are holding a rally in southern Illinois with 3 angry white guys who want to make sure their county lets them keep their guns.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:57 am
–It would be wrong for White to use this as an opportunity to use Hellends youth and inexperience against him for political gain.–

The Reagan zinger.

Check at ISBE, and you’ll see Helland doesn’t even have gas and Mickey Ds money to run a statewide campaign, even if he slept in his car.

Like the races for treasurer and comptroller, Boss Rauner has already conceded this one.

Maybe slurring a widely popular and respected figure isn’t the best way to go down in flames.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:58 am
Clearly GovJunk’s stooge paid no attention to the tepid/hostile response he got at the Fair or Jesse’s great comment the following day. This guy can actually help pull the GovJunk Jaunt down. Exit Interview Tour continue today with Slip&Sue ’splainin’ how you can spend all the tax hike $ and rip tax hikes. You cannot make this stuff up.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:02 am
I say we settle this the old fashioned way, bare knuckle. My money is on White.

Comment by Pudent Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:04 am
Wordslinger, I couldn’t resist taking a look at his funding reports at the Board of Elections. While it has nothing to do with his ageism, he did spend 75% of his funds reported on his last D2 on reimbursement to himself for mileage. That’s a pretty fun fact.

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:06 am
===Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland countered by calling White “the term-limit king.”===

Term limit king, what the heck does that even mean?

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:10 am
JW is correct. He probably is in better condition that his opponent.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:13 am
Well, what else is he going to say? “These drivers license facilities are too well run”?

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:18 am
There are guys in the witness protection program with higher profiles than Jason Helland. By December 2018, he will fall back into anonymity.
Although, it’s possible that a spry octogenarian might rip into him at a Morris coffee shop.

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:20 am
==Check at ISBE, and you’ll see Helland doesn’t even have gas and Mickey Ds money to run a statewide campaign, even if he slept in his car.==

Well, his biggest expenditure appears to be mileage, so he must have gas money. But a blanket in the backseat is not a bad idea.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:43 am
I plan to vote for Jesse White for secretary of state again this November as I have in every Illinois general election in which I have been old enough to cast any vote at all.

That said, flaming hot take forthcoming….

Jesse White *is* old. And there are too many old people in elected politics. Nowadays it seems like Dems are worse than Republicans at getting their dinosaur pols to retire and make room for new blood. Jesse White, Durbin, MJM… we would not lose that much if younger Dems replaced them. But I think we as citizens and the party would gain from fresh faces getting a chance. The old guard is less in touch with the economic and cultural concerns of younger people and as old fogies do not have to live long with consequences of their actions politically.

I also sort of wish subtle ageism got employed negatively by the campaign commercials/mailers even a fraction as much as subtle sexism and subtle racism got employed. At least being old means you are more likely to not be physically and mentally up to the job whereas there is no logical grounds to oppose someone for office based on race or gender.

Helland has something of a point about White being around too long even if his way of getting that across is boneheaded and politically tone-deaf.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 10:45 am
==I think it’s time to retire Jesse White==

Is Jason Helland trying out his Tony Soprano impression? What little chance Jason had in 2018 is now 0% for 2022.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 11:08 am
===Check at ISBE, and you’ll see Helland doesn’t even have gas and Mickey Ds money to run a statewide campaign, even if he slept in his car.==

Well, his biggest expenditure appears to be mileage, so he must have gas money. But a blanket in the backseat is not a bad idea.=

How do you know his car isn’t electric? LOL.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:15 pm
@hisgirlfriday I have to disagree. Bring a politician isn’t the same job as digging a ditch. It’s not so physical.
Speaking of digging a ditch, some young’uns could use the good judgement of their seniors. Aaron Schock and Nick Sauer come to mind.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:35 pm
Old and Classy vs. Young and Stupid. The choice is yours.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:46 pm
Sure, Jessie White’s getting up there, but the SoS office runs smoothly, conveniently, and largely without problems, and has for YEARS. He’s good at his job! When he stops being good at his job, I’ll worry about his competence.

Comment by Suburban Mom Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 2:54 pm
Hey, I’m new in town. Could anybody tell me whether older voters or younger voters are more likely to turn out? Also, do Republicans skew older than Democrats in these parts?

Thanks in advance!!

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 3:35 pm
He said this on SENIOR DAY AT THE DUQUOIN STATE FAIR? Now I’m really mad.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 3:41 pm
==Well, what else is he going to say? “These drivers license facilities are too well run”?==

Exactly. I had to renew my driver’s license this morning at the SOIB downtown and it ran like a top. I was in and out in 30 minutes and there was a crowd. Everyone I dealt with was polite, competent and efficient.

Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 4:15 pm
I hope this doofus kept his job at Eagle Foods in Morris.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 5:35 pm
I always look forward to getting my license renewed.

Top that, Helland.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 5:43 pm