Letter: Voters have good choice for state representative

Americans love having choices and we love to comparison shop. We compare products side-by-side and check out the features and ingredients before making our choices.

I wanted the opportunity to do that this election for Illinois state House representative in District 65. I was eager to see incumbent Dan Ugaste on stage with candidate Linda Robertson exchanging ideas and debating their positions on such important issues like climate change, sensible gun laws and a woman's right to make her own reproductive decisions.

Alas, it is not to be this election. Rep Ugaste declined to be on the stage at the League of Women Voters forums and take the opportunity to come face-to-face with candidate Robertson on the issues. It would have been very valuable for voters to see both candidates and hear them articulate their positions and reasons for those positions. So, no side-by-side "comparison shopping" for our Illinois House rep in District 65 this year.

However, we still have a choice between a lawyer who has a record of missing important votes or voting "no" on bills that would benefit the district and a scientist in Robertson who is trained in evaluating issues, questioning both sides and working cooperatively with others to solve problems. Even without a side-by-side, in-person comparison, the choice is clear to me that Linda Robertson will better represent our needs as our next Illinois House representative in District 65.

James Flanigan

St. Charles