NAPERVILLE -- Naperville City Council member Darlene Senger shored up support of DuPage County area Republicans Wednesday with a fundraiser for her state representative campaign at downtown Naperville’s new La Chocolate dessert bar.
Senger, vying to succeed retiring State Rep. Joe Dunn, faces Democrat opponent Diane McGuire, retired teacher and union activist. McGuire, like others in her party, was energized by an out-of-character large Democratic voter turnout in the March primary. Because 2000 more Democrats than Republicans voted in the 96th District's 2008 primary, Democrats hope to ride the Obama wave in the fall and increase their State House majority.
Senger, a 52 year old financial advisor, intends to keep the 96th district seat a Republican one.
Wednesday night's chocolate-champagne taster was part of Senger's ongoing efforts to stash $50,000 in her campaign war chest by early June. The funder was successful and "sweet," Senger campaign coordinator Pat Fee said, despite their opponent’s suspected orchestrated attempt earlier in the day-- via a Springfield insiders’ newsletter -- to douse the Senger campaign enthusiasm.
McGuire chose Wednesday to leak the news that she had raised $14,000 at her fundraiser two weeks before, information unverifiable until Illinois State Election Board reports are filed at the end of June.
Those attending Senger’s fundraiser Wednesday night were confident the 96th District would remain Republican, but acknowledged to do so would take more work and expense than it has in years past. Their confidence was based on the fact that not only has the 96th District been historically Republican, their candidate has good name ID in the district and has recently been appointed to take on the district’s crucial transportation issue.
In direct contrast with her Democratic opponent’s political history, Senger has demonstrated she’s a fiscal and social conservative while serving on the Naperville City Council for the last five years.
McGuire. on the other hand, is well-known in the community for spearheading a recent school tax hike and is heavily backed by unions and leftwing advocate groups.
Coming off a February GOP primary win, Senger received the endorsement of former State Rep. Mary Lou Cowlishaw and current State Rep. Joe Dunn, as well as Naperville’s longtime beloved mayor, A. George Pradel. McGuire is endorsed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the AFL-CIO, the League of Conservation Voters and Personal PAC.
Most supporters at Wednesday’s funder echoed Mayor Pradel’s high esteem for Senger.
“Darlene is one of the most down to earth people I know. She is a consensus builder. She understands people and is always accessible,” Pradel said recently. “Darlene understands exactly where the City of Naperville is going, what it needs from the state and how to ask for it. She has represented Naperville well on the council, and I know she will do the same in Springfield.”
Senger’s website is www.electsenger.com.
