State House Dist. 62: Cole

Voters have two credible choices in the 62nd District, where two-term Republican Sandy Cole, an advocate for small business and environmental causes, faces a challenge from Democrat Rich Voltair, a Carmel High School graduate with a Ph.D. in government and politics who said anger over corruption led him to seek office.

We give the edge to Cole, a former Lake County Board member who understands her district, which includes all or part of Gurnee, Grayslake, Third Lake, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Beach, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst.

Cole says no to a state income tax increase and believes deeper cuts are the way to control the budget; opposes more gambling casinos, especially in Lake County; and holds generally moderate social stances, though we urge her to be more frank on her views about controversies such as gay marriage and civil unions.