By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – Congressional candidate Junius Rodriguez has questions about some of his opponent’s tactics ahead of the November election.
Rodriguez, a Democrat, is challenging incumbent Republican Darin LaHood in Illinois’ 18th Congressional District. LaHood opened a new district office on Monday in Bloomington. While speaking in Bloomington Tuesday, Rodriguez called the timing of this “unusual.”
“When a politician makes this type of decision just 10 weeks before a contested election, it is hard to view it as anything more than a crass political ploy to score points using the taxpayer’s dime,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also spoke about a mailer sent by LaHood to residents in the district which had a notice stating “This mailing was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense.”
“Any fair minded voter, regardless of political affiliation, will certainly recognize the callous nature of this type of political grandstanding at the taxpayer’s expense,” he said.
Rodriguez explained he would introduce legislation to help eliminate these types of tactic for incumbents ahead of an election. He added LaHood’s father, former U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, worked to reduce the perks incumbents could use in reelection campaigns.
“In our political system, the vested power of incumbency is always substantially greater than what any challenger might present,” said Rodriguez. “But the blatant use of tax dollars to advance a political purpose is especially disturbing.”
Darin LaHood Communications Director JD Dalfonso offered response:
“First and foremost, constituent service is the top priority for Darin. From the day he took office in September, Darin has worked to fulfill his commitment to set up an office in Bloomington and he’s proud to have established the first 18th District office in McLean County—something none of his predecessors had done. Approximately 80 percent of McLean County resides within the 18th District and represents one of the fastest growing population centers in Central Illinois. It is critical we are able to provide constituent service to McLean County and the surrounding region, and I’m grateful we were able to open an office to do just that. Darin and his staff recently surpassed 1,000 closed cases for constituents of the 18th District, but this is just the beginning. The Bloomington office will provide another direct avenue for Darin and his staff to help residents navigate federal bureaucracies, outside of his other established offices in Jacksonville, Springfield, and Peoria.”
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
