Crespo, Baumer say their support goes beyond party
Democrat @StateRepCrespo & Republican @Katyfor44 say their support in their rematch in the 44th District goes beyond party labels. #twill
As they head toward their Nov. 6 rematch for the 44th District state House seat, Democratic incumbent Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates and Republican challenger Katy Dolan Baumer of Streamwood are discussing why they believe they'll receive votes from independents and members of the opposite party.
Baumer said she's acquired a reputation for trustworthiness as a former trustee of the Poplar Creek Public Library District, former Hanover Township trustee, and as the township clerk for the past decade.
"I go by what the people are saying," Baumer said. "And what people are saying is they have a fear of the pension issue. They have a fear of this state going belly-up. They have a fear of losing their home. All people -- hard Democrat, soft Democrat, hard Republican, soft Republican -- it doesn't matter."
She added that she believes residents of all political persuasions are fed up with current leadership ruining a state with all the positive attributes of Illinois through taxes and unfair property assessments.
"I think that the people will recognize my value as someone who will stand by what they tell me they would like," she said. "And these are the main issues: term limits, taxes -- personal and income. The graduated tax, that scares them to death. Everyone. So I think that the people would turn to me as a new voice and someone who can stand up and say no, that's not what the people want."
Crespo said he believes his bipartisan appeal comes from being a known commodity as a community volunteer, former Hoffman Estates trustee, and now state representative for nearly 12 years.
"And I do get support from Republican mayors -- Hanover Park, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates -- and I think the reason I get support is that they look at deliverables, they look at tangibles," he said.
Crespo said that in addition to legislation that's had statewide impact, he's worked on a bill that helped secure more business for Schaumburg's convention center and Renaissance Hotel, coordinated funding for an educational work center in Hanover Park, helped negotiate a full tollway interchange at Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, and created more park funding for the Streamwood Park District.
He also spoke of being in regular contact with the school districts about their needs and having the ability to empathize with a Northwest suburban region that's becoming increasingly diverse.
"People out here in the suburbs, I don't think they think in terms of Republican and Democrat," Crespo said. "We do have our extremes, obviously. But I think most people want to make sure we're middle-of-the-road, that we represent middle-class families, and I'm one of them."
The 44th District includes parts of Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.