Endorsement: Goncher for Republicans in state Senate Dist. 25

Beth Goncher and Jeanette Ward are vying for the Republican nomination to replace state Sen. Jim Oberweis representing District 25 in Springfield.

Goncher, of Aurora, has long been active in Republican Party politics, including working as a volunteer and full-time staff member for former U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren and state Rep. Tim Schmitz. She ran unsuccessfully for Kane County Board in 2012 and for state House District 50 in 2014.

Ward, 46, of West Chicago, ran twice for the Elgin Area Unit District 46 school board, being elected in 2015, but losing in 2019. During her time on the board, she was involved in several controversies around comments she made on school funding, Black History Month and access to bathrooms for transgender students.

Both candidates espouse similar positions on many issues, such as seeing a need for a constitutional amendment on pension reform, passage of a Fair Maps constitutional amendment, tougher ethics legislation and a go-slow approach to climate change.

As distinguishing characteristics, Ward highlights that she is running independently of party support and her endorsement by three major groups opposed to abortion rights.

Goncher cites her work within the party framework as something that would help her work collaboratively to get things done. She said she has a history of listening to people and being respectful.

In this race, we believe that while Ward has legitimate concerns about the state of party politics in Springfield, Goncher is the one better positioned to work within the system to make changes.