After last Tuesday’s primaries we now have one Democrat and one Republican in the race for Illinois’ 74th District.
One who ran unopposed, the other who won a three way contest by more than double digits.
But now Democrat Bill Butts and Republican Dan Swanson will be the two on the ballot in November.
Butts tells WGIL just because he’s a democrat doesn’t mean he’s in lock step with his party.
“So basically we need to look at well, am I Michael Madigan’s person or am I Rauner’s person,” says Butts. “I can assure the voters of this district that I am my own person. I’m Bill Butts. There are certain things I believe we have to do and if it means changing the way we do things, let change Illinois. Let’s do something about it.”
Butts believes that Illinois needs to look at ways to raise revenue and that education funding should not be tied to gaming taxes.
Swanson says he isn’t changing his message for the primary and his focus is on constituents needs.
“I’m going to listen to the constituents here and those are going to be my priorities,” Swanson. “In the next nine months we’re going to see some possible changes in the way Springfield does business, so I’ll adjust my message based on what happens in Springfield.”
Swanson won his three way Republican primary with about half the vote.
