GOP candidate shares Trump concerns of a deep state; rival rejects concept

Republican congressional candidate Jim Marter supports President Donald Trump’s oft-repeated claim that a “deep state” network of people and organizations is manipulating the U.S. government — and he claims Trump’s executive orders have helped lessen its influence.

Marter’s rival for the GOP nomination in the 14th District, Somonauk resident Gary Vician, dismissed the conspiracy-laden concept.

Marter, of Oswego, and Vician discussed their legislative priorities, Trump’s policies and other issues in questionnaires for the Daily Herald and follow-up emails. The 14th District includes parts of Kane, Will and five other counties southwest of Chicago.

While discussing the growing powers of the executive branch of government, Marter said Trump’s executive orders have “cleaned out the deep state.” When asked via email to elaborate on what he meant by “deep state,” Marter said, “If you believe it’s only conspiracy theory, I suggest you haven’t done your homework.”

“It does mean something and my voters know what it means,” said Marter, a software consultant and former Oswego Public Library board member who is making his fifth consecutive run for Congress. Marter went on to talk about people buying influence in government “for nefarious reasons.”

“It’s hard to grasp the breadth and depth of it,” he said. “That’s the deep state.”

Trump took on the deep state, Marter said, by creating the Department of Government Efficiency and using it to cut budgets and personnel across the federal government. Marter cited spending cuts and firings in the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the departments of Justice, Defense and Education as examples.

Vician, a former educator and township official, flatly rejected that belief.

“When people feel unheard, they start believing the system isn’t working for them,” said Vician, who served as a trustee in both Addison and Naperville townships and as Naperville Township supervisor.

“I don’t frame things in terms of conspiracy theories,” Vician continued. “But I do believe this — The government has grown too distant from the people it is supposed to serve. When unelected agencies operate without clear accountability, and when career politicians stay in Washington for decades, trust erodes.”

To ensure elected officials focus on serving their constituents rather than special interests or their own power, Vician said he supports limiting federal elected service to 12 years.

“No one should make a lifetime career out of elected office,” he said. “Fresh leadership restores accountability.”

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 14th District. Illinois’ primary Election Day is March 17.