Illinois has been run by Democrats for years, and the Democratic party has one of its own in the White House. Barack Obama was a Senator from Illinois when he ran for President, resigning his seat in the Senate to take up that position. The state legislature currently has a clear Democratic majority, and the Governor is a Democrat. However, conservative candidates Illinois 2014 are hoping to change this in the fall elections.
The state faces many problems, including a dismal credit rating (lowest in the 50 states), a huge public pension deficit, and almost $5 billion in delinquent bills. The fact that the Democratic party majority has been unable to improve the financial outlook, the high jobless rate, and other problems gives hope to the conservative Republican and Independent candidates.
The primaries in March were full of interest for political watchers. A millionaire businessman spent a record amount of money in his campaign for the right to challenge the current Democratic governor, Pat Quinn. He invested a reported $6 million in his Republican primary campaign. He was vociferously attacked by the labor unions, whose presence in the election process was stronger than ever before.
Republicans hope to gain enough seats in the state legislature to change the current unassailable position of Democratic lawmakers. They would like to capture the Governor's office for the first time since 1998, as well as many other important posts at the state level. Although this would have been a hard fight two years ago, many think the time is right for a change in direction.
At the federal level, all 18 of the House seats are up for grabs in November. 12 of the seats are currently held by Democrats. Conservatives hope to use perceived failures of progressive national policies as fuel for change. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who has been in office since 1995, is one of the main targets because of his high profile and some issues he has had during his last term.
Senate Majority Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin is also up for re-election this fall and a major target. It is hoped that his support of The Affordable Care Act, raising the debt ceiling, and other controversial policies will make him vulnerable. Chicago, however, is notoriously loyal to its elected officials.
Durbin's challenger will be a businessman and state Senator, Jim Oberweis. He operates a chain of ice cream shops in and around Chicago. He was elected partly because his name was familiar to many and also because his success in business inspires confidence. He was endorsed by Family PAC for his support of traditional family values. He promises to leave office after two terms if he wins a seat, in contrast to Durbin who is in his third term.
Illinois will be closely watched for many reasons, one of which is to see if there will be a conservative backlash against the fiscal, social, and international policies of the current administration in Washington. Election Day November 4th 2014 might see a swing to the right, if conservative candidates can get their messages across to the American people. This is a year in which every citizen can exercise their right and responsibility to vote, in order to help elect leaders they think will best serve them and the country at large.
The state faces many problems, including a dismal credit rating (lowest in the 50 states), a huge public pension deficit, and almost $5 billion in delinquent bills. The fact that the Democratic party majority has been unable to improve the financial outlook, the high jobless rate, and other problems gives hope to the conservative Republican and Independent candidates.
The primaries in March were full of interest for political watchers. A millionaire businessman spent a record amount of money in his campaign for the right to challenge the current Democratic governor, Pat Quinn. He invested a reported $6 million in his Republican primary campaign. He was vociferously attacked by the labor unions, whose presence in the election process was stronger than ever before.
Republicans hope to gain enough seats in the state legislature to change the current unassailable position of Democratic lawmakers. They would like to capture the Governor's office for the first time since 1998, as well as many other important posts at the state level. Although this would have been a hard fight two years ago, many think the time is right for a change in direction.
At the federal level, all 18 of the House seats are up for grabs in November. 12 of the seats are currently held by Democrats. Conservatives hope to use perceived failures of progressive national policies as fuel for change. Jesse Jackson, Jr., who has been in office since 1995, is one of the main targets because of his high profile and some issues he has had during his last term.
Senate Majority Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin is also up for re-election this fall and a major target. It is hoped that his support of The Affordable Care Act, raising the debt ceiling, and other controversial policies will make him vulnerable. Chicago, however, is notoriously loyal to its elected officials.
Durbin's challenger will be a businessman and state Senator, Jim Oberweis. He operates a chain of ice cream shops in and around Chicago. He was elected partly because his name was familiar to many and also because his success in business inspires confidence. He was endorsed by Family PAC for his support of traditional family values. He promises to leave office after two terms if he wins a seat, in contrast to Durbin who is in his third term.
Illinois will be closely watched for many reasons, one of which is to see if there will be a conservative backlash against the fiscal, social, and international policies of the current administration in Washington. Election Day November 4th 2014 might see a swing to the right, if conservative candidates can get their messages across to the American people. This is a year in which every citizen can exercise their right and responsibility to vote, in order to help elect leaders they think will best serve them and the country at large.
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