4 Republicans vying to replace Foster in Congress
By Melissa Jenco and Michelle Manchir, Chicago Tribune | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Now four candidates are running in the
The field of Republicans includes a pair of politicians trying for a promotion -- state Rep.
They're running in the
Senger is counting on voters knowing her from time in
Awaiting the winner is Foster, who had nearly
SENGER
"They've asked me to participate in many of the largest problems in the state, and I've actually contributed to those solutions," she said.
In
If elected to
In her campaign literature, Senger tells voters she wants to repeal the new health care law. But in an interview, Senger said starting from scratch likely wouldn't be effective because people have started to enroll, and she supports the principle of covering pre-existing conditions.
"The big problem with Obamacare is it doesn't do what it was intended to do and that's to reduce the cost of health care," she said. "What it's doing right now, it's pretty much a zero-sum game where some individuals are paying less and being subsidized and some are paying more."
Growing up in
"I realized this was a good time for the financial industry," she said of her political conversion. "Government needs to stay out of business and do the things they need to do."
Senger faced a tough first race for the state House in 2008. Party leaders from both sides of the aisle poured money into the contest, which she narrowly won.
In this campaign, Senger put her 21-year-old daughter, who studied English at the
Senger also rents legislative and campaign office space from a political donor. A campaign spokesman said Senger picked her legislative office because it's in the center of the
MILLER
He said his experience operating a small business makes him the best candidate for what he believes the district's voters care about most: spurring job creation.
Miller said he's been going door to door explaining his views and emphasizing that he's "not a politician," a message he said resonates with voters. "I've got the background that people want to see go to
Though a newcomer on the ballot, Miller isn't new to politics. He has been criticized on the campaign trail for his chairmanship of the
Miller contended his fundraising ability and business background make him the best option to take back the seat from Democrats.
"It is important that Republicans nominate somebody who can win in the fall," he said.
Miller recently retired as CEO of
The Illinois EPA slapped the company with a violation notice over its
Born in
BALKEMA
Balkema said he helped get a proposal passed in 2012 that eliminated full health insurance plans for board members, who put in about 15 hours of work a month. It was that experience that "motivated me to see, Hey, if I can do this at the local level, we have a much bigger issue at the federal level," said Balkema, who said
Balkema, who put his personal cellphone number on the
On the campaign trail, Balkema says he backs term limits and will stand for conservative fiscal principles. He's a purchasing manager at
Balkema said he thinks the country and the state could see a manufacturing boom if government regulation gets "out of the way" and the tax structure is changed to benefit business. He said he'd also like to see Obamacare improved so small businesses can feel confident to make new hires.
"We just have to get the ... regulatory bureaucrats out of the way and allow businesses and people to use their creativity and shine," Balkema said.
Raised in
BAYNE
"To me it is a key issue not just for money, not just for small businesses that are suffering because of this, but because of personal freedom," he said.
A newcomer to
"We are transforming our society into one where government is at the top and people are at the bottom," Bayne said. "I feel very passionate people have got to be in control of their own destiny."
Born in
Bayne blames government regulation for the downfall of a small appraisal business. The situation spiraled into a 2008 foreclosure of a property he owned in North Miami Beach and a 2012 bankruptcy. Court records from that time show he had assets of just over
"You have to fail in order to succeed so ... I have failed and picked myself up and got back on track," he said.
A fifth candidate,
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