McHenry Times

Ret. Air Force Col. Craig Wilcox wants Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) in the gubernatorial primary in March 2018.

The McHenry County Board member running to replace Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) in the 32nd District told the Lake County Gazette that Ives could be exactly what the GOP needs.

“I trust that her integrity and commitment to service are placed at the forefront of her desire to represent the overtaxed voters and over-regulated businesses of Illinois,” Wilcox said. “Her outspoken support of property tax reform, opposition to taxpayer-subsidized abortions,and outrage at the signing of the Trust Act place her at the apex of leading the conservative movement for reform.”

Craig Wilcox

Ives's announcement that she is collecting nominating signatures will affect the dynamics of the GOP, Wilcox contends.

“The party has historically dealt with the struggle between conservatives and a more moderate slant of conservatism, and we have seen exactly that in the governor recently,” Wilcox said.

Illinoisans are primed to make changes to a state that has been dealing with political turmoil for a long time, he said. Illinois went more than two years without a state budget, and when one was enacted this summer, it came with a record 32 percent income tax hike.

“Both parties will make decisions in the March primaries which way they wish to proceed, and these governor races should challenge and energize the electorate, so I am hoping to see great voter turnout,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox described Ives as embodying many of the values he thinks are needed.

“I am a tax reform, limited government, personal and economic freedom-style candidate, and Rep. Jeanne Ives has the voting record, the integrity and the backbone to stand strong and fight for these ideals,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox also wants to be part of that change.

“I look forward to standing with her in Springfield to forge a new direction to keep Illinois vibrant,” Wilcox said.

Editor's note: The original version of this story erroneously referred to Craig Wilcox as Sen. Pamela Althoff's opponent. Sen. Pamela Althoff is not running for re-election.