44th District candidates feud over party financing
State Rep. Fred Crespo's printing presses are going into overdrive this election season putting out campaign fliers attacking 44th House District challenger Peggy Brothman.
One reason is that Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat, has raised more campaign money to spend on mailings. He has raised $20,505 compared to Brothman's $7,022, according to the state election board's Web site. That means Crespo has raised almost three times as much from Jan. 1 through June 30.
Crespo may be enjoying the advantage of raising money as the incumbent, something he didn't have before he defeated Republican Terry Parke in 2006. Still, he discounts its effect.
"Money isn't going to win the election," he said.
Crespo has spent more than $5,700 on printing costs and $1,728 on post office-related expenses. Brothman, a Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board member since 2001, has spent a little more than $3,260 on printing materials, and $956 on post office-related expenses.
Crespo also has spent $1,110 on a Web site developer. There was no itemized cost listed for a Web developer on Brothman's records.
"I think this shows the Democratic Party is willing to spend any amount of money to get the election," Brothman said.
The question of party loyalty looms, as the two also are playing the guilt by association game. Crespo is trying to link Brothman to House Republican leader Tom Cross, saying that Republicans ally themselves with oil and insurance companies, and vote only based on their needs. Brothman has tried to connect Crespo with Democratic Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, who spearheaded the recent county tax hike.
While there are no Crespo donations listed from the Cook County Democrats, the state Democratic Party gave him a $1,795 donation. Even 56th District state Rep. Paul Froehlich's campaign group chipped in with $250.
The state GOP hasn't abandoned Brothman, donating more than half the money she's raised, with $3,552. However, Brothman said she's feels the party has done more for other candidates, noting that Froehlich's challenger, Anita Forte-Scott, is running television ads. Also Forte-Scott, unlike Brothman, is listed in the "Eight in 08," a group of Republican state House and Senate candidates endorsed by the United Republican Fund.
Brothman also claims that in 2006 House Democrat leaders approached her with the same offer they eventually presented to Crespo, who made the party switch. They asked her to leave the Republicans to run as a Democrat against then-incumbent Terry Parke. She said being coveted to run for the seat by both parties proves she wouldn't vote merely depending on party lines.
"I was not going to be controlled by anyone or indebted to anyone financing my campaign," Brothman said.
Crespo doesn't buy Brothman's independence, noting Cross was a speaker last month at a Brothman fundraiser. He counters saying he's always considered himself a "Northwest suburban legislator" who would ignore party lines and work with representatives from nearby districts to benefit his constituents.
"I have more in common with suburban legislators than those from Chicago or downstate," he said.