WHEATON – As the March 17th 2020 primary nears, Republican candidates hoping to oust Democrat Congressional freshmen in the 6th and 14th Districts are beginning to roll out endorsements.
Friday, 6th CD Republican Jeanne Ives announced Cook County Republican Chairman Sean Morrison's official support in the GOP primary. Ives, who represented DuPage County's 42nd House District in Springfield until 2019, would be also representing a portion of Cook County within the easternmost 6th CD if she were elected in 2020.
"In 2020, Cook County voters are confronting the revelations of deeply rooted corruption in local government," said Morrison. "Voters are looking for candidates they can trust. In the IL-06 race, only Jeanne Ives has a record of standing up to corrupt insiders and powerful party leaders, as well as unapologetically advancing government reform and transparency legislation. I know Jeanne's resolve and understand her principles. That's why I am endorsing Jeanne Ives, and encouraging Cook County voters to look past headlines to get to know her real record."
Morrison is added to the endorsements of Republican National Committeewoman Demetra Demonte, the Lake County Republican Party (chaired by ILGOP Co-Chair Mark Shaw), and national political groups Club for Growth, the House Freedom Caucus, FreedomWorks and Susan B. Anthony List. Before she announced her candidacy, the district's former Congressman Peter Roskam also endorsed Ives.
Illinois' entire Republican Congressional Delegation and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy hosted a fundraiser for Ives in Washington DC. Rich Porter, Illinois Republican National Committeeman has also thrown support behind Ives in her 2020 race.
Ives and Jay Kinzler, an emergency physician, are competing for the GOP nomination in the March primary. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Sean Casten in the General Election next November.
In the 14th CD, Jim Oberweis announced former Congressman Dan Manzullo's endorsement Friday.
“Being a leader is not about being loud and outraged," Manzullo said. “Leadership means focusing on the issues impacting the people. I know Jim Oberweis will be an outstanding member of Congress because I have seen how he has conducted himself while serving in the Illinois Senate. Jim Oberweis has the right temperament, the right views on the issues and he has the right experience to serve in the United States Congress.”
Manzullo served in Congress from 1993-2013, and was "generally regarded as one of the most conservative members of the Illinois delegation during his tenure in Congress. He had a lifetime rating of 96 percent from the American Conservative Union," Oberweis' statement said.
Oberweis said Manzullo and he think alike on issues.
“Congressman Manzullo was the Chairman on the Committee on Small Business, and he was a great champion for small businesses and economic development,” Oberweis said. “He and I think a lot alike on these issues and like him, I am focused on improving our economy, which can only happen if our small businesses are able to thrive. It is indeed an honor to receive the support of former Congressman Don Manzullo, whose explementary service in Congress goes unforgotten.”
Oberweis is competing with six others for the 14th CD GOP nomination – Anthony Catella, Catalina Lauf, Jerry Evans, Ted Gradel, James Marter and Sue Rezin.
