Round Lake lawyer announces run for 62nd House
Round Lake attorney Gerald Dietz has announced he intends to seek the Republican nomination for a state representative seat in the March primary.
Dietz, 44, said he plans to run in the 62nd House District currently represented by Democrat Sam Yingling of Round Lake Beach. Yingling and Dietz previously worked together for Avon Township.
District 62 covers all or portions of Grayslake, Gurnee, Wildwood, Grandwood Park, Hainesville, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Lake Villa, Libertyville, Lindenhurst, Old Mill Creek, Wadsworth and Third Lake.
“I will stand up and what needs to be said in Springfield,” Dietz said in a prepared statement. “The people of the 62nd have had enough of the same old politics. We need someone to represent us and who knows how the people of the 62nd are feeling and want (representation).”
Pension and property tax reform top Dietz’s list of issues. Dietz, who lost to Keith Brin in the Republican primary for Lake County circuit court clerk in 2012, said other priorities would include creating a more transparent state government, jobs and education.
Lake County Republican Party Chairman Bob Cook said it’s not yet known if Dietz will have primary competition, but he’s spoken with some potential candidates. Cook said Dietz would have a legitimate chance at defeating Yingling if he wins the GOP primary.
“I think Jerry is a good, solid candidate and I think he’ll do well,” Cook said.
Yingling said he does not expect any primary competition, so he’ll be ready for whoever the Republicans favor for the November 2014 general election.
“Regardless of who my opponent will be, I’ll continue to fight for every taxpayer,” Yingling said.
Dietz, who couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday, has been involved on the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center Foundation board and as a volunteer firefighter, paramedic and lieutenant with the Greater Round Lake Area Fire Protection District.
He also has been active in issues at Grayslake Elementary District 46. For example, Dietz pursued election code accusations against a District 46 board member on behalf of Lake County Tea Party founder Linwood “Lennie” Jarratt of Round Lake Beach in 2011.
Dietz was Avon Township’s attorney at the time Yingling served as supervisor. Yingling resigned as supervisor early this year after defeating Republican Sandy Cole of Grayslake in the November 2012 election.
If elected, Dietz said he would bring the Republican Party’s “conservative values and hard work ethic” to the Illinois House. Dietz must file paperwork later this year to officially land on the March 18 primary ballot.