Story posted Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Coulson, Hamos In 10th District Race
Journal Endorsement | The Journal & Topics Newspapers endorses Republican Elizabeth Coulson and Democrat Julie Hamos in the race for U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's (R-10th) open Congressional seat.
The field of five Republicans and three Democrats is comprised of several hopefuls who would serve the 10th District well, but none with the much-needed legislative experience and track record of Coulson and Hamos.
While other candidates such as Dan Seals and Robert Dold have experience working in the nation's capital, they have not shown the same strong independent, moderate track records of Hamos and Coulson.
The national political scene has become dogmatic and polarized. In the last several campaigns, perennial candidate Seals spent his energy running against former President George Bush, who is no longer in office.
In this campaign many on the Republican side, especially Dold and Arie Friedman, seem to be doing the same: running against President Obama. It's easy to rail against those in power without too many specifics about how they would do things differently.
What Hamos and Coulson seem to realize apart from their opponents is that moderates, like themselves, who are willing to reach across the aisle to work on the country's massive problems are in short supply.
Coulson has a strong background in health care. She began her political career as a policy advisor to former U.S. Rep. John Porter (R-10th) in that field and has continued to work on health care and early childhood development issues in the Illinois Legislature.
Hamos helped passed significant health care legislation in the Illinois General Assembly and was the chairperson of the House Mass Transit Committee.
With the STAR Line and other high-speed rail projects coming up for consideration in Congress, her experience will prove vital.
Finally, both women have a proven track record of showing up at local events at schools and park districts, demonstrating their strong ties to the communities they represent.
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