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* Background is here. From Rep. Jerry Long’s Facebook page…
I was entrusted by the good people of the 76th District to be their State Representative and to FIGHT for them in Springfield. I would never do anything to violate their trust.
I work for the people of the 76th District and not the House Republican Organization. The HRO and I have always had a contentious relationship due to the fact that I refuse to be their puppet.
On Friday before Labor Day, HRO through an employee, prepared statement for me to read for robo calls to voters which did not meet my expectations. The HRO employee wanted me to read a statement that sounded more like HRO and not the people’s State Representative Jerry Long. I refused to record HRO’s message and recorded my own message to the people I represent, which infuriated the HRO employee. Rather than allow me the ability to speak my own mind and represent the 76th District, the HRO has used this simple disagreement as a way to pull their support.
I want to make it perfectly clear to my constituents and supporters, I have done nothing which warrants my resignation as your State Representative. In fact, just the opposite. I stood my ground and stayed true to my values. I work seven days a week for the people of the 76th District and will continue to do so. I do not need the support of the HRO because I have the support of the people.
As always, I thank you for your support. Please share this to everyone.
So, lemme get this straight. He’s saying that the House Republicans pulled out of a Tier One, must-win race over a robocall dispute? And they withdrew after spending $47K on his campaign early last week because of said robocall dispute?
Seriously?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:52 am
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The classic “righteous indignation” response.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:57 am
Sure. Why would it be anything else?
Appropos of nothing, could I interest you in a surprisingly affordable bridge?
Comment by Shamrockery Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 9:59 am
So, lemme get this straight. He’s accused of physical harassment and he starts off his release with “FIGHT” in all caps in the first sentence?
Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:01 am
I think Long might be the only politician who will poll worse amoung Union members than Bruce this election.
Comment by Seats Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:04 am
He’s talking about the same HRO that funded his campaign to the tune of $1.2 million just in the fourth quarter of 2016 alone?
Mmmmm, kay
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:06 am
Judging from the comments on both the News Tribune and the Ottawa Times FB pages, most of the commentators must be pretty stupid.
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:13 am
–The HRO and I have always had a contentious relationship due to the fact that I refuse to be their puppet.–
More like their ward, judging by Long’s campaign fund. HRO and the state party are his only means of support.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:13 am
You aren’t kidding G Kar. Multiple comments blaming this on Madigan, and its not snark.
Comment by Seats Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 10:33 am
==Rather than allow me the ability to speak my own mind==
According to Durkin, it was your ACTIONS that got you into trouble.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:01 am
Anyone smart enough to read Long’s statement should be smart enough to see through it.
What a piece of work.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:13 am
I met Jerry a few times and he always came across as a smarmy, if not creepy guy. It gets lonely on those long hauls, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to be a predator. If you won’t step down, hopefully the good people of your district will see to it that you do. Buh-bye!
Comment by So Long Jerry Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 11:50 am
Very, obviously, he thinks we are very stupid…
Comment by OneMan Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 12:50 pm
So what happened here? Why can’t we get more of an explanation? Looks like Durkin and Long are both playing a game here being ambiguous.
Comment by Lasalle Voter Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:46 pm
I’ve been around the block enough to know “zero tolerance” usually means a boss is stretching the limit of a harassment policy.
Comment by Lasalle Voter Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 1:48 pm
It’s less how stupid Jerry thinks “we” are and more about how unintelligent he is and how naive his Trump supporting base is. I genuinely believe he thinks HRO turned on him, not that his behavior was out of line.
Comment by Anon Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 2:14 pm
===Why can’t we get more of an explanation?===
The alleged victim has requested anonymity.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 2:31 pm
It must be the Streator water, a not so intelligent politician and less intelligent voting base. Or else they all sniffed too many diesel fumes.
Comment by Adios Jerry Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 2:51 pm
–Multiple comments blaming this on Madigan, and its not snark.–
Yet Long himself blames it on HRO.
So Madigan and Durkin are supposed to be in cahoots on this one? Tell me these people don’t have driver’s licenses.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 3:24 pm
Yep, for real, South of 80 folks will vote for him even after this. Ya gotta be from here to believe it.
Comment by wondering Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 3:40 pm
==Multiple comments blaming this on Madigan, and its not snark.==
==Yet Long himself blames it on HRO.==
==Yep, for real, South of 80 folks will vote for him even after this. Ya gotta be from here to believe it.==
It’s a biproduct of the “Stop Madigan” campaign. Is distrust of the HRO that far from distrust of Madigan or anyone else in a leadership position?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 4:11 pm
You Chicagoland people are all the same. Kiss Jim Durkin’s ring or kneel before Madigan. You really believe everyone south of 80 are hicks.
Comment by South of 80 Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 7:44 pm
So why doesn’t Durkin tell us what happened? What’s he hiding here?
Comment by South of 80 Monday, Sep 17, 18 @ 7:45 pm
South of 80, can you read? The victim does not want publicity, which ties HRO’s hands here. So voters have to decide who to believe, an entire organization who says that Long has behaved very badly, or Long, who has everything to lose? What incentive does Durkin et. al. have to lie? Do you really think they are all so petty that they would walk away from this race over a script for a robocall? Please tell me you don’t actually believe that. Please, my faith in humanity is crumbling.
I really do wonder if you aren’t Mr. Long himself, because that at least would make sense.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Sep 18, 18 @ 8:20 am
Swarmy is the correct description. Long lied to me three times on a business matter. I called him out on it. Cannot believe he was ever elected in the first place. He must go. Now.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 19, 18 @ 12:38 pm