Stava-Murray endorsed for 81st House seat

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

In the race for the 81st Illinois House seat, two-term Democratic incumbent Anne Stava-Murray of Naperville faces Republican challenger Paul Leong, a former Naperville Unit District 203 school board member from Naperville.

On many of the key issues in this race, the candidates do not agree on much.

Assault-style weapons are one such area where there is some common ground. Leong voted for an assault-style weapons ban in Naperville, although he was noncommittal to a statewide ban.

Stava-Murray is a supporter of common sense gun reform and is a co-sponsor of the military-style assault rifle ban.

Stava-Murray supports the Safe-T act, citing her cosponsorship of the act and saying it's important to raise the bar for police and what we expect from them. Leong says those in law enforcement dislike the act. He feels there is a great deal wrong with it and it needs to be fixed.

On the topic of abortion rights, Leong says he is pro-life and would try to make a balanced decision on any changes based on the views of his constituents. Stava-Murray supports abortion rights and is very concerned about the Supreme Court decision.

Stava-Murray has more concrete answers to the major issues facing voters in November than Leong does.

Stava-Murray is endorsed.

The 81st District includes portions of Naperville, Downers Grove, Woodridge and Darien.