Kane County Reporter

Republican House hopeful Dan Ugaste realizes he’s challenging the Democratic machine in his run in the 65th District.

“My opponent (Democrat Richard) Johnson is getting plenty of help from House Speaker Mike Madigan and his political machine,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter. “Madigan is bankrolling his campaign and has dumped at least $45,000 into it over the last two weeks alone. They’re trying hard to take this seat, and there’s no limit to how far they may be willing to go. I don’t think Johnson has raised more than $1,000 on his own.”

Ugaste said all the maneuvering could come at an even higher price for voters in the district and across the state desperately hoping to change the course.

Democrat Richard Johnson

“If Madigan is funding the campaign, you as the candidate he’s getting behind have to promise to re-elect him as Speaker of the House and to vote in favor of enacting all his policies,” he said. “It’s just a promise of more of the same, and we all know Springfield is in awful shape and in desperate need for change.”

Ugaste said even Johnson knows voters now crave something different, which is why he’s refrained from clearly identifying himself as a Democrat and outlining what he stands for in all the flyers he’s recently flooded the district with.

“He doesn’t want you to know about all that,” Ugaste said. “I say there have already been too many times where someone has sold himself as one thing and been another just to get to Springfield. Voters want to know who you are and where you stand on the issues.”

Ugaste said his agenda has been an open book. He plans to continue canvassing the district, spreading his message of property tax reform and greater fiscal responsibility, he said.

“I’m confident as you can be but you can never take anything for granted,” Ugaste said. “We’ll just keep working hard and delivering our message.”

The 65th House District includes Batavia, Burlington, Dundee, Elgin, Geneva, Grafton, Hampshire, Plato, Rutland and St. Charles.