Dupage Policy Journal

After calling 6th District Republican candidate for the U.S. House Evelyn Sanguinetti an "empty suit" with "no legislative accomplishments" in a scathing Facebook post, Wheaton activist Gregg Slapak clarified why the former Lt. Gov. merited his disapproval.

In an interview with the DuPage Policy Journal, Slapak cited Sanguinetti’s lack of experience, adding that her apparent complicity in the budget crisis and support for abortion had eroded his confidence.

“She really hasn’t accomplished anything,” Slapak said, interviewed by phone this week. “She’s never written or voted any legislation, so I’m wondering what makes her qualified."

Gregg Slapak | Twitter.com

Sanguinetti, who broke barriers as Illinois’ first Hispanic lieutenant governor, launched her political career as a member of the Wheaton City Council. According to ChicagoNow.com, a slip-and-fall incident in 2007 inspired her to run for city council as part of a crusade for safer sidewalks.

Slapak, a political independent, took issue with Sanguinetti’s perceived lack of action on several issues that cut across both Democratic and Republican platforms.

“She was lieutenant governor during the time the whole abortion [funding for state workers] thing came up, and that’s what got Rauner in big trouble with the conservatives,” he said. “They took a big bruising because of that and they had no budget for three years. What was she doing as lieutenant governor during that period of time to bring forth ideas with regard to the budget? Where is her stance on abortion or gay rights? She’s never stepped up to the plate with equal rights for everybody.”

Slapak indicated voters will at least have a record to evaluate in Sanuginetti's opponent for the 6th Congressional District, Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat who defeated incumbent Peter Roskam last November. Casten, Slapak said, will have voted for or against proposals by the end of his term, giving a clear idea of his priorities.

“I think there’s a lot more independents out there than people know,” he said. They want a “person who can go to bat for them, and I’ve never seen Sanguinetti go to bat for anyone.”