Richmond for Illinois Senate Dist. 25, GOP

Republican voters in the race for Illinois Senate District 25 are likely very familiar with at least one name among the three seeking the job. Dairy magnate Jim Oberweis, of Sugar Grove, has previously mounted high-profile campaigns for Senate and Congress. But his opponents are no strangers to public life. Dave Richmond, of Batavia, has a long record of civic involvement, currently serves as Blackberry Township supervisor and worked as director of constituent services for six years for former U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert. And Richard Slocum, of Sugar Grove, who also has an admirable record of community activity, has served four terms on the West Aurora District 129 school board. All the candidates are well-versed in the challenges of pension reform, Medicaid reform and spending control that confront the state, but it’s Richmond who speaks most passionately and convincingly about the strategies for solving them. While he does press his positions forcefully, Richmond also seems both most inclined toward and best prepared for engaging in the political collaboration that will be required to reach solutions, and his personal commitment to the district appears unassailable. The 25th District runs from Elgin, south to Yorkville, taking in parts of Sugar Grove, Batavia and West Chicago.