Government spending a top issue for GOP hopefuls in 8th District

Reducing the national debt, getting Americans back to work and creating a better health care system are among the top concerns of the Republicans running for Congress in the suburban 8th District.

The Republican hopefuls are: Dirk Beveridge of Barrington, John Dawson of Barrington, Chris Geissler of Barrington, Greg Jacobs of Mundelein, Maria Rodriguez of Long Grove and Joe Walsh of Winnetka.

The candidates talked about their top issues and other subjects in questionnaires for the Daily Herald.

Beveridge, 48, is a business owner who has gained attention as the founder and president of We Do Care, an organization that supports military troops, veterans and their families.

Beveridge cited government spending as the chief concern of his campaign.

"We are teetering on the precipice of a national economic disaster," he said. "I want to help move this great nation away from that edge and protect our children from a lifetime of financial burden."

Although he didn't list any specific approaches, Beveridge said the government must cut spending and reduce the national debt.

Dawson, 52, is one of only two of the GOP candidates with prior elected experience. A former member of the Crystal Lake High School District 155 school board, he is a former teacher who owns a home building and remodeling company.

Dawson also cited the national debt as a top concern, saying it will "bankrupt our country." He also said that, if elected, he would be pro-business and work to create jobs.

"I can help on a federal level, making sure our national laws do not penalize our local small businesses," he said. He criticized the federal stimulus package and proposed cap-and-trade environmental legislation, saying they would hurt small businesses in Illinois.

At 37, Geissler is the youngest of the candidates. A manager with a Chicago consulting firm, Geissler said reducing unemployment needs to be a priority for the federal government.

He proposed reducing taxes by cutting the corporate income tax rate by 30 percent and creating a $2,500 tax credit for any job created.

"These policies encourage private expansion, which is what our economy needs," Geissler said.

Jacobs, 58, is a retired Cook County sheriff's deputy and a military veteran. Creating a proper health care system would be his top priority if elected.

"There has to be a better solution to providing health care for all Americans without continuing to line the pockets of our not-for-profit health care providers," Jacobs said.

He opposes the current health care reform proposal, saying it would increase taxes and unemployment if businesses shift overseas. He supports the concept of letting Americans shop for health care in other states and backs health care tort reform.

Rodriguez, 50, is the most well-known of the GOP hopefuls. She's been Long Grove's mayor since 2005 and previously had served as village clerk and trustee.

Creating jobs is her top priority, and she believes the stimulus package has had "little or no impact" on job creation in the suburbs.

She suggested temporary payroll tax relief, eliminating capital gains taxes and reducing corporate taxes as alternatives that could help the economy.

The 47-year-old Walsh is a venture capitalist who, like some of the other candidates, is upset about government spending. He criticized Medicare and Social Security as "well-loved but ill-conceived programs" and compared them to Ponzi schemes.

People should have to set aside portions of their own incomes for retirement and health care, Walsh said.

"Only when individuals have some responsibility for their own well-being will we be able to get a handle on skyrocketing costs," he said.

Although their priorities may be different, all six candidates do share one goal: to win the GOP nomination Feb. 2 and then unseat three-term Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean of Barrington in November.

The 8th District includes parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. The House seat carries a two-year term.

Bean will be the lone Democrat on the primary ballot. Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer of Lindenhurst is running, too.