Dan Ugaste is convinced the best way for the Republican Party to minimize the potential damage brought on by Illinois Lottery Control Board Chairman Blair Garber’s recent social media rebuke of East St. Louis as the “sh**hole of the universe” is for GOP leaders to face it head on.
“You can’t hide from it,” Ugaste told the McHenry Times of Garber’s inflammatory Twitter rant. “You have to be out-front in letting people know this is not what the party stands for and this is more about the flaws of this individual.”
While Garber has since been forced to resign from the post he was appointed to by Gov. Bruce Rauner, some have argued that may not be enough given he also serves as a member of the Republican State Central Committee, representing the 9th Congressional District that includes Rauner’s hometown of Winnetka.
“Stepping down is the right thing to do,” Ugaste, a Geneva Republican who is running to replace the retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th House District, said. “You can’t make statements like that and be part of government, or even in a role serving the public.”
Ugaste said while East St. Louis has long had economic and budgetary hardships, the reality is that the government has been part of its problem.
“Budgets across the state are out of whack,” he said, adding that part of his motivation for running is fueled by his desire to get the state back on stable financial footing.
“I’m still talking to voters and doing everything I can to make sure they are aware of all the ways I differ from my opponent,” he said. “I tell them the first step to turning the state around is changing the trend of out-of-control taxes and ceasing to spend money we don’t have.”
The 65th House District includes Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Pingree Grove, Hampshire and Huntley.
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