Democrat: Ricky R. Hendon

In a crowded six-candidate Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, two candidates come from this community: State Senator Rickey R. Hendon and State Representative Arthur Turner. We’ve endorsed both in the past. The other candidates are State Rep. Mike Boland, electrician Tom Castillo, cleaning supply company owner Scott Lee Cohen, and State Senator Terry Link.

Hendon has a solid record of accomplishment and innovation and can be given major credit for bringing the film industry back to Chicago, putting money in local pockets. He was a major player in a 2007 deal between the state and the Chicago Transit Authority that saved the CTA.

Turner is considered the father of the affordable housing trust funds law, and his priorities have been the right ones: juvenile justice reform, treating drug addiction as a disease instead of a crime, affordable housing, and health care. Some have criticized Hendon for promoting a West Side campus for Chicago State University, but a 2007 feasibility study proved strong community and prospective student support exist for it. Such an institution would be an economic engine for the West Side.

While we like Turner, we find the qualifications of Rickey R. Hendon slightly more persuasive, and endorse him for lieutenant governor. Hendon has more of a “firebrand” personality as compared to the low-key but competent Turner, and we think a firebrand who is not afraid to speak his mind is exactly what is needed in the current crisis.

Republican: Brad Cole

Republican candidates for lieutenant governor are Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole, District 230 School Board President Dennis Cook, State Senator Matt Murphy, lumber company executive Jason Plummer, attorney Don Tracy, and Hancock County Commissioner Randy White. Cole stands out in this group.

As lieutenant governor, he would work to review state spending, top to bottom, demanding fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget approved on time “that doesn’t play games with jobs and critical public services.” Cole also would establish a citizen advocacy office to enhance constituent services and help people find their way through state bureaucracy.

We like these ideas and the fact that, as mayor of the city that is home to Southern Illinois University, he understands the importance of education and of a state university to its local community. Brad Cole gets the Gazette’s endorsement for lieutenant governor.