Spring springs to Sullivan's defense

8 months, 2 weeks ago by Jamie Busen

Mayor responds as two of Sullivan's Senate colleagues come to the campaign aid of Republican Senate challenger

As two of State Senator John Sullivan's Republican colleagues came to Quincy to support the his November opponent, Quincy's mayor defended his fellow Democrat.

Senators Sam McCann and Darin LaHood were guests Tuesday on WTAD's Morning Meeting and made two other appearances on Randy Frese's behalf.

The two, along with Adam Andrzejewski who runs the For the Good of Illinois political action committee, discussed Sullivan's voting record and ties to President Barack Obama.

LaHood said Sullivan's decisions to align himself with people like Governor Pat Quinn and John Cullerton have consequences.

The race in this district, said Senator McCann, is ground zero for how change can be made.

The men said that if people want more of the same, they should vote for Sullivan.

Sullivan's campaign office was asked for a response and one was provided by Quincy Mayor John Spring via Sullivan's office.

"I'm disappointed to see Randy Frese bringing in outsiders and failed Cook County politicians to Quincy today to push more hollow rhetoric and distortions about John Sullivan," Spring said. "More committed to their ideology than to actually getting results, extremists like these won't work with anyone and thereby get nothing done. John Sullivan, on the other hand, is known for reaching across the aisle and working with anyone, regardless of party, to produce results for the people of western Illinois. The people of Quincy know John Sullivan and know the truth about his independent record, no matter what outsiders, busy lining up their next run for Governor, say."

This is the second time Sullivan's campaign has referred to Adam Andrzjewski with the adjective "failed". Andrzjewski, who lives in Hinsdale and is a Herscher native, funded a third-party ad challenging Sullivan's voting record on pay raises and his ties to Chicago Democrats.

Andrzjewski lost in the Republican primary in a gubernatorial bid.

Frese responded to Spring's remarks:

“This campaign is about creating jobs for the people of Western Illinois and protecting their wallets from Democrats in the General Assembly who think borrowing and raising taxes is right for Illinois.  I was proud to stand with two downstate republican senators today, as well as a man who has led a charge to bring greater transparency to Illinois government.  They understand the problems in Springfield today; they are committed to building a business climate that will grow jobs and making Illinois government responsive and responsible.”
 
“I’m disappointed the mayor felt compelled to not only condemn the message that they bring to the state and to western Illinois, but to also name call and revise the history of our current senator’s record of service.  I will not engage in a campaign of mudslinging, but I will insist on focusing on the facts and the record.  There is no evidence that Sullivan’s record reflects any effort at bipartisanship or independence.  The facts remain that John Sullivan has supported higher taxes, pay raises for himself and massive borrowing, and the record remains that he serves in Senate Democratic leadership, dominated by the influence of Chicago Democrats, and receives more than 90 percent of his financial support from outside the district, as does Mayor Spring.”  

From Andrzjewski: “I find it laughable that as we discuss Sen. John Sullivan's record in Springfield, his main defender is the Mayor who lost the tax payers of Quincy a vast amount of money on a failed hydroelectric dam  project. I expect even more ludicrous statements coming from Sen. Sullivan's camp over the next 60 days as we discuss his record of failure from his past 10 years in the State Senate. Right now Illinois is broke and we face a fiscal crisis that must be dealt with."