Endorsement: Ventura for state Senate Dist. 43

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

In the race for the 43rd District of the Illinois Senate, Republican Diane Harris faces Democrat Rachel Ventura to replace incumbent Eric Mattson, who was defeated by Ventura in the June primary.

On the Safe-T Act, Ventura supports it for the most part, but is concerned about the damage it will do to the Will County budget with the loss of some of the bond money.

Harris does not support the Safe-T Act and feels it endangers all of Illinois. She vows she will work to repeal it if she's elected.

Regarding an assault-style weapons ban, Harris says we cannot infringe on Second Amendment rights and that guns are not the problem. It's the individuals who use them improperly, she says, arguing that we need to address the mental health of those people.

Ventura says it's time to pass common sense gun laws that would require training and a licensing program in order to own a gun. Assault-style weapons should only be held by people who are highly trained such as police and military, she says, adding that it's not practical for civilians to own these types of weapons.

Harris opposes abortion rights and says there should be no tax-funded abortions. Ventura believes government should protect the right to abortions.

Though they don't agree on many of the issues, both Harris and Ventura have a passion to represent the 43rd District. Ventura's views are more centrist view, and she demonstrates more of a capacity to get things done by working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Ventura is endorsed.