54th House GOP: Differences on taxes, abortion

Experience vs. new leadership has emerged as the dominant theme in the 54th District House Republican primary race.

Former high schoolteacher and school board member Suzie Bassi, 64, is seeking her seventh term as state representative from the greater Palatine area. Her challenger is former grade schoolteacher Tom Morrison, 34, owner of two Servpro disaster cleanup franchises.

Both candidates share similar views on many of the state's most pressing issues - such as overhauling the pension system and Medicaid. And there are many overlapping ideas regarding their plans to solve the state budget crisis.

One difference between the two is their take on taxes. Morrison said he will never vote to increase taxes, which is a firmer stance than Bassi, who said she wouldn't vote to raise taxes in this economy.

The other key difference is the candidates' views on abortion. Morrison only supports abortion when the mother's life is directly at risk, while Bassi believes abortion is a private matter in which the government has no place.

The more conservative Morrison received an overwhelming endorsement from the Palatine Township Republican organization, the largest GOP group in the 54th district. Bassi has enjoyed public support from several elected officials including the mayors of Arlington Heights, Inverness, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and South Barrington.

The winner will face Democrat Matt Flamm in the general election in November.