Richmond is choice for Dennis Hastert

After years of dedicated service, State Rep. Pat Lindner is retiring, creating a full field of Republicans seeking to represent us in Springfield.

Voters will have four choices when making their decision in the Feb. 5 Republican primary, and I am familiar with three of the candidates. I appreciate Kay Hatcher and know her through her work on the Kendall County Board and as president of the Forest Preserve. Tony Graff is a good man who served as Yorkville police chief and as city administrator in Yorkville and Rochelle. Either would be a fine representative.

Dave Richmond is a lifelong Fox Valley resident, father of five, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard, worked during the day and took classes at night to earn a law degree, and opened an oil change small business that he still runs today. In 2001 Dave joined my Congressional staff specifically to help my constituents with issues involving the federal government. He quickly became known for achieving results, earning him a promotion to constituent services director.

Through those experiences, Dave gained a unique understanding of the challenges facing our families and communities. In Springfield he will fight to lower taxes, address education funding lapses and to bring back our fair share of state dollars for road and transportation improvements, like the widening of Route 47. Just as important, he has dedicated his life to service and has always gone the extra step to provide the highest level of representation and service for our constituents.

That is why I endorse Dave Richmond and will be voting for him Feb. 5 for state representative -- and I hope you will too. There is no question in my mind that he will work tirelessly and do what is right for our families, communities and state.

J. Dennis Hastert

Plano