State house candidates take swipe at Springfield

The two candidates seeking the GOP's nod for the 96th District seat agree on one thing: State leadership needs to change.

"We need to get the right people down in Springfield," said Naperville city councilman Darlene Senger. "Maybe some are good, but not all."

Senger will face off against Michael Bowler, a commercial insurance broker from Aurora, in the Feb. 5 primary to replace retiring state Rep. Joe Dunn.

The district covers a large part of western Naperville, eastern Aurora and a small part of Warrenville.

Naperville educator Dianne McGuire is the lone Democratic candidate running.

At Wednesday's Naperville Area Republican Women's Organization candidate forum, Senger and Bowler pitched their ideas on changing Springfield.

Senger, a financial adviser, said lawmakers at every level need to get more involved.

"Everything (now) is done by the leaders at the top," she said. "The ranks-and-files are not getting involved."

A good leader, she said, is able to bring two sides together and keep a long-term focus in mind.

"I'm a big person on accountability," she said. "We need leadership and accountability. That's why I threw my hat in the ring."

Bowler said there are great leaders in Springfield, but "what we don't have is a governor who will listen and abide by the constitution and work with the General Assembly."

He is a former legislative aide for state Rep. Jim Meyer and former legislative coordinator for then-House Republican leader Lee Daniels.

He also served as executive clerk for DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk Chris Kachiroubas.

Bowler said he knows how the process works. His priorities are to revive the economy, address transit issues and ease taxes on businesses.