EAST DUNDEE - The new 33rd State Senate district has three Republicans rumored to be circulating ballot petitions for the March 20, 2012 GOP primary - Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay, retired airline pilot Chad Koppie and Gilberts' businessman Cliff Surges. Illinois Review spoke with Ms. McConnaughay earlier and more recently, Mr. Surges. Both assured us they are indeed seeking the GOP primary nomination for the seat.
IR: Tell us a little about your background (click on image below the fold to hear audio)
IR: What caused you to decide to run for the Senate seat this time around? A family discussion ...
IR: So which state problem prompted that family discussion?
IR: How do you propose to fix this major challenge for the state? Surges said there's a need to get facts ...
IR note: The pension problem was not dealt with during the subsequent fall veto session, and the situation remains critical.
IR: Maybe the powers-that-be really don't want the public to know the truth about how bad the situation is ...?
IR: Is this kind of lack of transparency fueling the public's mood to just "get rid of all the incumbents" in the upcoming election?
IR: Still, public polls say we're not headed in the right direction. Who's to blame?
More with Cliff Surges in IR interviews Cliff Surges, Part 2
