(From WEEK News 25) - The topic of conversation among local Republicans on Saturday was a Democrat.
As a group of Peoria County Republicans running for office gathered for breakfast Saturday morning, 46th district state senate candidate Pat Sullivan had something new to chew on. Incumbent Dave Koehler is suddenly back in the race, after announcing Friday that he's decided to end his bid for the U.S. Congress.
Sullivan, a local businessman and former boxer, seemed ready to put the gloves on.
"Its hard to beat an incumbent, but guess what, I've been an underdog my whole life," said Sullivan. "I've always prepared to get in there and do the best I can and tell people what I'm going to do and try to roll back some taxes that got put in place under his watch. We have to start looking a being a more business friendly state. We have to bring these jobs back to the area."
If Sullivan prevails he'll be asked to tackle the biggest elephant in the room, pension reform. 73rd district state representative Dave Leitch has watched Illinois' pension obligations grow to proportions he views as unsustainable.
"Pension reform is very controversial," said Leitch. "The point is not whether you have to do it or not, but if you don't do it there won't be a system in 10 or 15 years."
And then there's the race for Peoria County State's Attorney. A Republican hasn't held that office in more than 20 years. Former prosecutor Frank Ierulli worked in the state's attorney's office for 12 years and is running against Kevin Lyons' appointee Jerry Brady.
"Everyday when you open up the newspaper you see another armed robbery or home invasion or shooting," said Ierulli. "The levels of crime in Peoria are simply outrageous and something needs to be done."
With the election just over 3 months off these GOP candidates will spend the holiday season shopping for votes.
