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4 Republicans vying for DuPage County Board Dist. 2 seat

Four Republicans are facing off in the March 15 primary for their party's nod in DuPage County Board District 2.

Richard Blass of Elmhurst, Anna Manzo and Elaine Zannis of Oak Brook, and Zachary Wilson of Lombard, are competing for the right to face incumbent Democrat Elizabeth "Liz" Chaplin of Downers Grove in November.

The candidates recently talked to the Daily Herald's editorial board about the importance of the campaign and their individual philosophies.

Blass, a former cop who now represents police officers as an attorney, says his education, along with his practical experience as an officer, gives him the advantage as he works to find a solution to the county's pension crisis and need for a better health insurance plan.

"This position needs someone as well-rounded as me. You can't just have a bunch of degrees and no experience," said Blass, 47. "I've been on the front lines and I've rolled up my sleeves and I've also worn a suit. So don't let the suit fool you. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work."

Manzo, a small-business owner and coordinator for a freight company, calls herself an independent conservative who has her sights set on keeping the "Cook County machine" out of DuPage politics.

"My big thing is the Cook County influence in DuPage," Manzo, 47, said. "I don't want that happening in the county. It's really, really, really important to keep the bad influences out."

Wilson, also a former police officer who is now an attorney, says he's not sure he's the best candidate but will leave that decision to the voters. The former Lombard trustee is on the record supporting the elimination of county pensions and the implementation of term limits for elected officials.

Wilson, 56, says he's "got a leg up" on the other candidates because he's already served on a contentious board and already has felt the sting of losing a bid for a board seat.

Zannis, 58, a real estate broker and former Oak Brook trustee, is making her second run at a county board seat. She said she's "not a political person" but believes this race has large implications.

"It's about winning a race for the Republican Party because Bruce Rauner is our governor. We're in the process of shaking up Illinois, and the more seats we can win for the Republican Party, across the state, the better the chances we have of making changes, relative to consolidation, pension reform, all of those things," Zannis said. "It's not just a race for me. It's a philosophy. It's a way of life."

The second district includes all or portions of Naperville, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills. Downers Grove, Westmont and Woodridge.

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