Dan Ugaste knows whom he will vote for in next year's governor's race: a Republican.
Running to replace retiring Rep. Steve Andersson (R-Geneva) in the 65th District, Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter that he sees a possible Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) run against Gov. Bruce Rauner as being to the betterment of the entire party.
“I think competition is always good for the process,” he told the Kane County Reporter. “Anyone who runs for elective office faces the chance of having a challenger, whether they have done a good job or not. I will wait to see who is running before I personally side on a candidate, but I know without a doubt I will be supporting whoever is deemed the Republican nominee is."
Ugaste said while he hasn’t agreed with everything Rauner has done — like signing abortion-expansion bill HB 40 into law — he is in lockstep with him on other matters.
“I don’t know where the money is going come from for HB40 and the expanded number of abortions it will lead to, but overall I think the fiscal policies, business reforms and tax reforms he’s put forth make this a much more business-friendly place to be,” he said.
As for Ives, Ugaste said he’s been impressed with the job she’s done in Springfield.
“She’s shown herself to have the right principles and clearly wants what’s best for the state,” he said. “I definitely want to know more about her.”
Ives, 52, the mother of five and a West Point grad, has installed former Rep. Rich Morthland as her running mate and Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland as her campaign chairman.
Candidates for state office in Illinois must file their candidacy paperwork by Dec. 4.
The 65th District includes Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Pingree Grove, Gilberts, Wayne, Elgin, South Elgin, Hampshire and Huntley.
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