Explanation doesn't fix endorsement
Daily Herald Deputy Managing Editor/Opinion Jim Slusher deserves credit for addressing the twofold controversy surrounding Illinois District 42 State Rep Amy Grant. The more serious one concerns Grant's offensive racial and sexual orientation remarks she made to a potential donor about Ken Mejia-Beal, her Black, gay opponent that were leaked to the public. The second involves calls for the Daily Herald to rescind their endorsement. The endorsement was unsigned, and to his credit, Slusher signed the reaffirmation, spending great detail on many aspects of the issue. Slusher and the Herald could have let the matter fade away without comment.
Essentially, Slusher dismisses calls for withdrawing the endorsement, arguing Grant's words, though "insensitive and clumsy ...re not about race or sexuality as much about politics." The problem with that reasoning is it presumes it's understandable to say racist and homophobic comments if they're directed toward personal political gain rather than harming Blacks or gays. I don't view Grant as either a hardcore racist or homophobe. But clearly she falls into the "easy" racism and homophobia that likely occurs with some regularity in a district lacking diversity of leaders for both groups dealing with discrimination that must be rooted out and ended.
But putting aside her truly hurtful comments, the re-endorsement makes a minimal case for reelecting Grant while neglecting any mention of her opponent's laudable qualifications for first time office. In a state with a multitude of problems, Grant's campaign website lists just two priorities: restoring fiscal responsibility and promoting education, with no detail on either.
Opponent Mejia-Beal, by contrast, spells out detailed goals and policies on property tax/pensions, senior citizens, state revenue, animal rights, gun control, labor and climate policy. One might easily surmise Mejia-Beal was the veteran policy orientated lawmaker and Grant the inexperienced candidate.
Walt Zlotow
Glen Ellyn