Rep. Ron Sandack Endorsed By Illinois Observer, Touts His Bright Future

The Illinois Observer has endorsed State Representative Ron Sandack in his re-election bid pointing out his leadership and how's he's 'mastered the art of compromise'.  Also...they hint that if things go right for Sandack he might end up running for Illinois Governor one day...

State Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove represents the future of the Republican Party in Illinois – if the GOP is desires a future in this Democratic state. A former mayor of Downers Grove and an attorney, Sandack has mastered the art of compromise in the legislature and has moored his ideology in competent conservatism. He has repeatedly backed and robustly defended painful pension changes even amid harsh opposition. 

...He has the leadership qualities that could land him in Governor’s Mansion one day. Sandack is enthusiastically endorsed.

Go read the whole thing at the Illinois Observer.

Sheila Simon Lets Loose On Judy Topinka, Still Trails "Badly" in Polls

Over on the Illinois Observer, David Ormsby covers the latest twists in the Illinois Comptroller race where challenger Sheila Simon is now accusing incumbent Judy Baar Topinka of skipping out on a few meetings.

He does a nice job summing up the current state of the race.

As pointed out, Simon is in bad shape and flailing about for relevancy:

Judy Baar Topinka came under attack this week from opponent Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon over the comptroller’s attendance record at pension investment meetings. 

Since being elected Comptroller in 2011, Topinka, a member of the Illinois State Board of Investment, which manages pension assets for state employees, General Assembly members and judges, has missed 17 out of 37 meetings, including “almost every” Emerging Manager Committee meeting where investments in businesses owned by women, minorities or people with disabilities are voted on and sent to ISBI for ratification, Simon’s campaign charged on Tuesday. 

Simon’s campaign, which has struggled to get attraction against the popular Topinka, also criticized the comptroller for missing an Emerging Manager Committee meeting where State Street Global Advisors was tapped to manage a $450 million portfolio despite it being under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for overcharging clients and misleading investors about subprime mortgage investments.

Unfortunately, for the Simon campaign, we're thinking our take on the situation is what most voters will be thinking:

Our take?

Tom Cross Endorsed for Illinois Treasurer by Illinois Observer

Endorsement from Illinois Observer

Hot on the heels of their round of Illinois State Representative endorsements, the Editorial Board over at the Illinois Observer has released their endorsement for the Republican nomination for Illinois Treasurer.

Their pick?  Tom Cross for Illinois Treasurer.

Cross has pledged to be a “bold” Treasurer, acting beyond the narrow, ministerial limits of the job. He has promised that “priority one” would be to enforce Illinois’ constitutional requirement that the state budget be balanced, even dragging the state into court if necessary. Additionally, Cross would create a Government Integrity Unit and develop a Fiscal Report Card to be distributed to taxpayers. Cross’ deep legislative experience of budget making, record of moderation – supporting both a woman’s right to chose and same sex marriage – and, most important – a bold, aggressive agenda for the treasurer’s office uniquely qualify him to be treasurer. Few candidates who present themselves for the post are as well qualified. Cross is enthusiastically endorsed.

Ed Sullivan Endorsed by Illinois Observer for State House

Ed Sullivan Jr's campaign for re-election as the State Representative in the Illinois 51st District continues to pick up momentum.  Late last week, the editorial board of the Illinois Observer released their list of endorsements.  They've picked Sullivan over his opponent Bob Bednar.  We agree.

From the IO Endorsement:

GOP Primary: Ed Sullivan, Jr. v. Bob Bednar. This race is one of the easier ones for the Editorial Board. State Rep. Ed Sullivan, Jr. (R-Mundelein) is an experienced, even-handed, respected lawmaker who can work across the aisle to achieve solutions. His knowledge of tax issues makes him an important voice within the House GOP caucus. In addition to being admired in Springfield, he is admired at home for representing the broader interests of his constituents rather than catering to the prejudices of ideologues. Sullivan is endorsed.

Just like President Obama chiming in on the Sandack/Illinois Observer endorsement, the White Mamba, Brian Scalabrine (everybody's favorite bench player) is siding with Sullivan (not really).

Ron Sandack Endorsed in State Rep Race, Mentioned as Possible Future Governor's Candidate

The Illinois Observer condenses the case to re-elect Ron Sandack for State Representative in the 81st House District into a short, but powerful paragraph.

Our support of Sandack has been documented many times over.  Not only do we think that he's facing a TOTALLY unnecessary primary against Keith Matune based purely on one very important vote, we think that if the ILGOP is to survive - and fourish - we need a lot more Ron Sandacks' down in Springfield, not less.

The Observer, in their endorsement agrees.  And...they even go further: they tout Sandack as having a potentially bright future:

GOP Primary: Keith Matune v. Ron Sandack. The choice in this contest is clear. State Rep. Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove), a former Downers Grove mayor, is a genuine rising star in the House – and Illinois politics. Sandack’s blend of intelligence, enthusiasm, moderation, and deeply conservative fiscal credentials not only qualify him for second term in the House, but also position him to be a viable, future candidate for governor. If Republicans are to ever exit their minority status in Illinois, Sandack serves as their role model and his record as their road map. Sandack is enthusiastically endorsed.

We agree completely with the endorsement, but the Governor's Mansion for Sandack?  We'll see.  Let's think about something like Illinois Republican Party Chairman first where he can revitalize the party and bring more voters into his 'big tent'.

Hey!  Even the President has chimed in on the Sandack Endorsement: