Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub wants to oust House Minority leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) from the driver's seat and then turn Illinois around.
“I couldn’t stand the pain anymore, especially after I saw 15 'surrender Republicans' jump ship and vote with the Democrats for the tax increase,” Straub told Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson, hosts of "Chicago’s Morning Answer" radio show recently. “I want a chance to make a difference and give the people in my district an option: someone with old ideas or fresh ideas.
Proft is a principal of Local Government Information Services, which owns this publication.
Mickey Straub Mayor, (R-Burr Ridge)
| http://mayormickey.com/about-mickey
Straub said that although Proft has shown his support, neither Proft nor his Liberty Principles political action committee persuaded him to run against Durkin in the 82nd District,
“This idea was born long before I had any conversations with local conservatives," he said. "I’ve been a principled Republican for years."
Straub said Durkin called him after he announced his candidacy.
“He was obviously upset that I was even considering it because I’ve known Jim for a long time," Straub said. "It was a bit of an uncomfortable conversation."
Straub said he didn’t tell Durkin why he was running, but Durkin wanted to let him know it wouldn't be an easy fight.
“You’re not going to know what hit you,” Straub said Durkin told him.
Straub said it’s time for Illinois to start cutting taxes, reduce spending, and attract businesses and homeowners.
“I do two things: I build relationships and solve problems," he said. "That’s my primary role as mayor, and I’m hoping to be able to do that in Springfield."
The 82nd District includes parts of DuPage and Cook counties.
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