Dupage Policy Journal

Political analysts are questioning the wisdom of a campaign maneuver by former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, running in the Republican Primary in the 6th Congressional District, that drags out an old, discredited claim about her opponent, former state Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton).

A recent robo-poll, which the McHenry County Blog verified was financed by the Sanguinetti campaign, surveyed Republican voters about their positions on jobs, national security and other broad topics, but near the end of the survey threw in this zinger: that Sanguinetti “spent 10 years fighting (House Speaker) Mike Madigan,” while Jeanne Ives “is Mike Madigan’s favorite Republican.” The recorded voice then asked which candidate you would vote for, according to former state Rep. Cal Skinner (R-64th), who writes the blog.

Top Illinois political analyst, Chris Robling, told the DuPage Policy Journal that the poll is a “complete joke.”

Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti | www.illinois.gov

He said that he could only imagine that Sanguinetti was trying to “appear a viable candidate against a nationally recognized conservative leader.”

Sanguinetti’s old boss, former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, pulled the same campaign stunt during his 2018 primary race against Ives – claiming that Madigan had some political affection for Ives.  

The media found the claim preposterous.

In March 2018, Tribune reporter Eric Zorn compiled media reaction to Rauner’s Madigan/Ives claim. Among them: “Opinion editor Jim Slusher of the Daily Herald called that same claim ‘utterly laughable’ and ‘perhaps the most ludicrous of the accusations being posited this campaign cycle.’”

Sanguinetti apparently still feels the need to defend Rauner, Robling said.

“She had a chance to distance herself from Rauner from when he signed the (2017) abortion law (which expanded publicly funded abortions for women on Medicaid),” Robling said. “She proved then that she is window dressing and continues to be window dressing.”

Earlier this week, the Susan B. Anthony List, a nationwide pro-life group, endorsed Ives over Sanguinetti, giving Republican primary voters a clear choice in a state with the most expansive abortion law in the nation: In June, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Act, which permits abortion up to the moment of birth.

After receiving the endorsement, Ives said that 6th district first-term incumbent, Democrat Sean Casten, has “famously equated abortion with gallbladder surgery” and has called legislation that protects life “stupid policy.”

Casten rode the 2018 blue wave into office over six-term Republican Peter Roskam. Both Republicans and Democrats view Casten as vulnerable in the traditionally Republican district. 

Robling said it will be impossible for Casten to appeal to moderates, voters he needs for re-election.

“Factually speaking there are still moderates in the Democratic Party but not practically speaking,” Robling said. “You’re going to see a coalition of abolish ICE people, those for unrestricted abortion on demand, and extremists on climate change backing Casten. He will have to forgo any claim of being a moderate.”

Primary day is March 17, 2020.

The 6th Congressional District covers parts of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties.