On December 2, Loyola’s College Republicans hosted an open forum with the candidates running for the Illinois 7th district senate seat in Finnegan auditorium from 5-7 PM.
They were approached by Republican candidate Adam Robinson’s campaign to set up the forum as a way for the community to learn the views of the three candidates running for office, according to College Republican President Sean Vera,
Democratic candidates Jim Madigan and Heather Steans, along with Robinson were invited to participate in the event.
If elected, Madigan (no relation to officials Michael or Lisa Madigan), will be the first openly gay senator in the Illinois State senate. When invited to the event, he saw it as an opportunity to inform the community.
“I encourage voters to become more informed,” Madigan said. “[We need more] community involvement in the election process.”
Robinson will be the first member of the Republican party to run for the 7th district senate seat in more than 20 years.
“It is rare that our community will have an opportunity to have competition in an election,” Robinson said. “This is the first time in a number of years for a republican to run.”
Steans, the incumbent senator, was absent due to a prior commitment.
“When the original invite went out [Steans campaign] said she’d be able to briefly appear,” Vera said. “But then she decided to pull out completely.”
The event began with Madigan and Robinson briefly introducing their platform to the audience citing what they hope to bring to the community and change in Springfield if elected. The remainder of the time was used for pre-submitted questions and questions asked by the audience.
Following the forum, the candidates stayed, allowing the audience to ask them one-on-one questions.
The Phoenix > Sections > News
College republicans host forum
Published: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Updated: Friday, December 4, 2009
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