PLAINFIELD - Wednesday, two influential Republicans noted Democratic candidate Senator Mike Frerichs' official entry as the Democrats' nominee for treasurer with criticism for Frerichs and endorsements for State Rep. Tom Cross for State Treasurer.
Senator Matt Murphy of Palatine said Frerichs has continually taken the path of higher taxes, budget-busting spending and job crushing regulations and fees while serving in the Illinois Senate. That strategy isn't what is needed in Illinois, he said.
"For Illinois to recover, we need a Treasurer committed to balancing our state budget and working with reform-minded legislators to crack down on fraud and abuse," Murphy said. "That’s why Tom Cross is the right choice for Treasurer and his plans to honestly balance the budget and create a Government Integrity Unit to crack down on fraud and abuse are common-sense ideas our state desperately needs.”
Former Illinois State Representative Rich Morthland of Moline echoed Murphy's concerns about Frerichs and voiced his support for Cross in the March 18th GOP primary.
“Past performance is the best predictor of future performance and Mike Frerichs' past performance of raising taxes, increasing spending and opposing reform is the last thing Illinois needs," Morthland said via statement. "Illinois needs new leadership with new ideas and Tom Cross’ plan to honestly balance the budget and crack down on fraud and corruption are two cornerstones to our state’s economic turnaround.”
Cross added that Frerichs' tax and spend policies have made the situation in Illinois go from bad to worse.
"The unbalanced budgets, reckless spending and record-setting tax increases that Frerichs has been a part of have left our state struggling to meet our most important priorities, including funding our children’s education and ensuring the safety of our communities," Cross said.
Cross is opposed by DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogran in the March 18th GOP primary. Frerichs is unopposed in the Democrats' primary.
