Problems in DuPage are with the GOP

Kevin Coyne, Chairman DuPage GOP, wrote a laughable plea to DuPage County voters to change the Democratic trend that began with the election of Barack Obama in 2008. He wants us to vote red again. DuPage County elected its first countywide Democrat since 1934 in 2018 and also picked up a Democratic County Board member in all six districts. It was in 2022 that Deb Conroy won the board chair, and the majority of board members elected were Democrats, the first time in a century. A nationwide Democratic victory is predicted for 2026, and it is unreasonable to believe that DuPage County voters would buck that forecast.

Coyne seemed to think a raise in salary for the board chair from $136,000 to $185,000 is reason enough to get us to vote for Republicans. The DuPage County government budget is $661 million, so Conroy’s salary, which will increase over a four-year period, amounts to two one-hundredths of one percent of the total budget. He also thinks property taxes are too high and spending unsustainable, and if we don’t make a sweeping change “the value of your house will be obliterated.”

While that pitch seemed desperate, it was also insulting. He wrote that we vote for Democrats just because we “don’t like Trump.” Trump is unlikable, but what does he have to do with property taxes? Conversely, I would ask him why we should vote for any Republican who either approves of the worst president in American history or doesn’t have the guts to cut ties with him? Both the problem and the solution for Mr. Coyne remain with his Republican Party.

Diane Niesman

Wheaton