WINFIELD – Tensions over a GOP primary race in DuPage County have ratcheted up to an anonymous death threat level. Friday night at about 10:30 PM, an anonymous caller left the following voice mail on State Rep. Peter Breen's (R-Lombard) campaign phone:
(Caution: Voicemail contains vulgarities and a death threat)
"You're a scumbag douchebag m*********** you and your lyin' politics you f****** piece of s***. Someone should shoot you in the f****** head. That's my opinion you f****** piece of garbage."
"There's nothing worse than having your wife listen to a voice mail like that," Rep. Breen told Illinois Review Monday morning. "We've received a handful of angry voicemails since the situation with Burt Minor developed. This is the first death threat we've ever received. We've notified the Lombard Police Department."
Breen said tensions continue to heighten since he called on GOP primary candidate Burt Minor to step out of the 42nd House race after GOP candidate for attorney general Erika Harold accused Minor of using offensive language concerning her sexual orientation and race when Harold and Minor met last fall.
Breen stepped into the controversy after asking Minor about the accusations. "As I said in my statement, Burt Minor doesn't deny he used those terms, and he confirmed to me and an assistant that he did," Breen said.
Minor is supported by the DuPage County Republican leadership and endorsed by the Daily Herald, which referred to Minor in their editorial as "a moderate." Minor endorsed Bruce Rauner in the GOP gubernatorial primary – despite the governor calling on Minor to step out of the race last week.
Breen was the first to urge Minor to step out of the 42nd House race, as did gubernatorial primary candidate Jeanne Ives. Breen is actively supporting conservative Amy Grant in the 42nd House race to fill the vacancy being left by Ives' bid for governor. Grant has also been endorsed by pro-life groups and Illinois Family Action.
DuPage Democrats are already energized and tapping into the controversy. They are likely to take advantage of the controversy by ratcheting up efforts to pick up a House seat in a traditionally Republican area where their "DuPage Blue" movement is growing.
If Minor emerges as the party's nominee, GOP observers expect the Dems to refer to allegations of Minor's racist and sexist comments in the run up to what could be an even nastier 2018 General Election.
"It's time to stand up against a bully," Breen said.
