Kane County Reporter

Dan Ugaste sees Democrats recently moving to re-elect House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) chairman of the state Democratic Party as just another example of how important it is that voters align behind Gov. Bruce Rauner this fall.

“That’s their (Democrats') choice and that’s the direction they want to go,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter. “Now, we as Republicans, need to do all we can to retain the governorship.”

Madigan is the longest-tenured Democratic chairman in state history, and the decision to back the 76-year-old House Speaker comes despite a sexual harassment and abuse scandal that has dogged his administration, prompting the ouster of two of his campaign associates and demands for him to step down over his handling of the situation.

Then there is his running feud with Rauner over each man’s differing policies and philosophies for the state.

Ugaste said with J.B. Pritzker as governor Madigan’s reign of terror on the state would be even more pronounced.

“I don’t see the state going in a good direction under Pritzker,” he said of the Democratic nominee for governor. “He’s already talking about raising taxes even more and that will only drive more people out of Illinois and keep the state in the dumps.”

Ugaste, a Geneva Republican running to replace retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th District, previously told the Kane County Reporter he’s completely opposed to Pritzker’s idea of an increase to the state’s flat tax.

“It’s the exact opposite of what we need to see happen, which is to get our runaway taxes under control,” he said. “If you keep taxing people, eventually you run them out. That’s not a recipe for anything good. I can’t understand why anyone would be in favor of that.”

The 65th House District includes Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Pingree Grove, Hampshire and Huntley.