Republican candidates for governor, U.S. Senate discuss energy, SCOTUS

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Candidates vying for the Republican nomination to take on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lay out how they’d approach energy policy.

At Benedictine University Thursday evening in Lisle, three of the four candidates took part in a forum hosted by 560 WIND. On the issue of energy, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said Democrats’ focus on wind and solar is misguided.

“We need to open up our coal mines,” Mendrick said. “We have 500 years of coal all over Illinois. And now there’s these things called scrubbers that make it the most cleanest energy source you could have.”

Ted Dabrowski said he would declare an energy crisis.

“And what we’ll do is we’ll continue to produce coal, we’ll continue to produce natural gas, because we will not take that power away from you or let your power bill spike like they’ve already done,” Dabrowski said.

Also running is businessman Rick Heidner, who said taking away coal was “insanity.”

Former state Sen. Darren Bailey is also running but he did not take part in Thursday evening’s forum.

Also Thursday, Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate being vacated by Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, laid out what they’d look for in a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

Candidate Pamela Denise Long said she would support a nominee that has the Constitution as their North Star.

“I need to see leaders who are willing to take the arrows,” Long said. “I need to see leaders who are willing to say ‘yes’ when yes is the right answer, and ‘no’ when no is the right answer. I also want to see people who know what a woman is.”

Attorney Jeanie Evans said President Donald Trump would have to make the choice if a seat opens during his term.

“I’d be looking for honesty, integrity, character so we know we have honest, good people as judges trying to make the right decisions and that they are rooted in a love for the Constitution,” said Evans.

Also at the forum were Don Tracy, Casey Chlebek and Cary Capperell. Jimmy Lee Tillman is also on the ballot, but did not take part in Thursday’s event.

The primary is March 17. Early voting is underway.