Economics Project Abstract
DEMOCRATS, DURBIN, AND DUPAGE: AN UPHILL BATTLE
Presenter:
Alicia J. Chan, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; achan@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Ms. Clarisol Duque, C/o Office of Senator Richard Durbin, 230 South Dearborn #3892, Chicago, IL, 60604; 312- 353-4952; clarisol_avila@durbin.senate.gov
Abstract:
The November 2002 elections changed the face of politics in Illinois, with Democrats sweeping nearly all elected statewide positions. In one collar county, DuPage county, only one Democratic candidate won office, popular incumbent Secretary of State Jesse White. DuPage county has been ranked one of the most liberal-unfriendly and conservative counties in the United States, and has long been the home county of the Illinois Republican party. Even so, Senator Durbin’s campaign devoted much time, effort, and energy into campaign and grassroots activities within the county to garner support for reelection and on behalf of other Democratic candidates in the 2002 elections. Despite these efforts, why was the Senator unable to gain more support from his DuPage constituents than he did six years ago, when virtually no campaigning was done? In this race, the hot-button hometown issue of O’Hare expansion, Senator Durbin’s stance on war with Iraq, and the role of the coordinated Illinois Democratic campaign effort, along with the staunch Republican tradition of DuPage county led to his defeat.