From the Kirk Dillard for Governor campaign…..
Calls it “Silly Season” on Campaign Trail
Former Governor Jim Edgar today said he was disappointed in the negative tone of the governor’s race, and urged candidates to talk about the issues. “There’s a lot at stake in this year’s election,” Edgar said at a joint news conference with Republican hopeful Kirk Dillard. “I think the voters deserve better.”
Edgar reaffirmed his support for Dillard, who served as Edgar’s first Chief of Staff. The former Governor said instead of discussing the issues, opponents have spent money on television to distort Dillard’s record.
“Let me be clear,” said Edgar. “Kirk Dillard opposes higher taxes. He’s never voted for a general tax increase.” Edgar said Dillard has been running a positive campaign with a real vision to create jobs, cut spending, eliminate red tape and end politics as usual.
“I’m supporting Kirk Dillard because he can turn this state around as Governor. Edgar went on to suggest that negative attacks are not unexpected in the final days of a campaign. “It’s unfortunate that we are again in the “Silly Season” of the campaign,” Edgar said.
Dillard pointed out that Edgar taught him how to make the state live within its means. “Governor Edgar taught me how to prioritize, how to make tough, ethical decisions and most important, how to say, no,” Dillard said. “I want to put the people first, the Taxpayer first, not the special interests and not the bureaucrats.”
Dillard has been endorsed by multiple newspapers statewide in his bid for governor, including the Chicago Sun Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, Southtown Star, Peoria Journal Star, State Journal Register, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Herald News, Naperville Sun, Elgin Courier and the Aurora Beacon News.
Dillard has also won the backing of the Illinois Education Association, Illinois State Rifle Association, Family Pac, Illinois Congresswoman Judy Biggert and Ed Murnane, President of the Illinois Civil Justice League and Chairman of the Board of the American Tort Reform Association.
Dillard was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 1994. Edgar served as Illinois Governor from 1991 to 1999.