In response to Jason Plummer'e questions (HERE), Rodger Cook, Republican Candidate for Congress in the 12th District has written the following:
From Roger Cook -
I, along with former gubernatorial candidate and government watchdog Adam Adrzejewski, called for all candidates who run for office to disclose everything about their financial backgrounds, especially releasing their personal income taxes. We apparently hit a nerve with my opponent, Jason Plummer, who has refused to release his taxes. Yesterday, he personally attacked me.
Evading releasing tax returns is nothing new for Jason. This hounded Jason in his losing effort for Lt. Governor in 2010. The issue was so debilitating to his candidacy that the 29-year-old millionaire refused to show up for a final debate against his opponent, Sheila Simon, because the issue had hurt his credibility. Many believe Jason is why Pat Quinn is governor today.
The 12th district of Illinois has been represented by Democrats and controlled by the Democratic machine for nearly 70 years. Republicans have a chance to win the seat and have a representative who will roll back President Obama’s disastrous policies—but only if we have a conservative candidate, without baggage, who can win in November.
After my call for Jason to release his taxes, he unleashed a series of unsubstantiated and vicious attacks on my background. I believe voters are smart enough to see this for what it is – a diversion. Ask yourself: Has Jason released his taxes yet?
Jason attacked me for refusing to release a list of donors back in the 1990’s. Jason was in elementary school at the time, so perhaps he didn’t notice that I disclosed every single donor to my campaign as required by law. In the current campaign, I’ve done the same thing and met all legal disclosure requirements. The difference is I’ve gone above and beyond the law and released my personal income taxes. Jason hasn’t.
Jason attacked me for my record as mayor about “pension abuses” and “sweetheart deals with unions” including with the police, which I had proudly served as an officer and detective. I took on the Democratic machine in Belleville and beat it. Belleville had long had problems with pensions and contracts. As mayor I negotiated fair contracts that funded pensions without a tax increase. I also increased the number of cops on the street, and the crime rate fell every year I was mayor. Jason, please tell the cops in Belleville you believe Rodger Cook “cut back room deals.”
Jason attacked me for raising taxes, which is a flat-out falsehood. I cut the tax rate and the tax levy as mayor every single year. I am open and honest about my voting record on taxes – as well as my own personal taxes. Jason has never voted publicly on taxes – and he isn’t willing to release his personal taxes.
Jason also claimed I never passed a balanced budget as mayor. We’re not sure what Jason was doing in college, but I can assure you that I balanced the budget every year. With this experience, I understand the importance of a Balanced Budget Amendment in Congress.
Finally, Jason attacked me for paying $500 for my grassroots campaign office in St. Clair County – a place where I was born and raised my kids. Perhaps, Jason doesn’t understand the challenges families and businesses face here. He shopped around for a congressional seat and eventually decided to take out a 6-month lease on an apartment so he could say he “lives” here – and can run for office.
We’re going on 3 years of Jason refusing to publicly release his taxes. Ask Jason to put an end to the diversionary tactics – and to simply release his taxes.
