GOP candidates will make races interesting

I’ve

known Sharon Brannigan a long time. She owns one of Orland Park’s best flower

shops, Sherry’s, where I often buy flowers for family, friends and especially

to remember my mom on Mother’s Day.

I

hadn’t spoken to her in a long time, but last week at the Orland Days Parade,

which had a strong Republican presence that included the powerful and popular

Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody-Gorman, Brannigan and her

husband walked up to me to say hi.

Now,

a lot of politicians intentionally avoid me, which is fine. As a writer, many

don’t appreciate the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment, free speech, or

loyalty. So, I understand when a congressman walks up to where my wife and I

are sitting, grimaces, and then walks on without giving my 13-year-old son

candy at the parade.

Brannigan,

who is the Republican candidate for the 3rd District congressional seat, is

different. She came up and said hello. It didn’t matter that I had never

written about her before, good or bad.

“I

read your column all the time,” she said and reached out to shake my hand.

Wow.

Respect from someone in politics? I’m not used to it. Usually all I get are whiny

complaints from congressmen, legislators, aldermen and others wanting to know

why I “criticized” them, as if I am the cause of the criticism.

When

you do something stupid, you get criticized.

The

best politicians are the ones who can take the criticism and brush it off. The

worst are the little babies who think the world owes them a career and a pay

check.

I’ve

met some tough politicians. Those are the ones I usually work with now as a

media consultant. I admire the way they brush off criticism for what it is,

just one person’s opinion, and they do what they believe.

Brannigan

has a tough, uphill battle for sure, and that’s despite some great issues on

her website at: www.branniganforcongress.com

Yet,

even if someone doesn’t win, they can act with honor and respect for voters,

raising important issues and forcing incumbents to stand up and speak out on

the issues that impact our lives as taxpayers.

Other Republican races of note

Shaun

Murphy announced his own uphill candidacy for the Illinois Senate in the 18th

District.

Murphy

is a CPA and vice president of the Evergreen Park Community High School

District 231 School Board. He is also the Worth Township Republican

Committeeman.

“I

look forward to providing a real choice for the voters on the November ballot

and a healthy debate of the issues affecting our local community and

Springfield throughout the campaign,” Murphy stated.

Murphy

continued, “My campaign will focus on the issues that matter most to our

community: job creation, lower taxes, term limits and responsible government

spending.”

Murphy

believes his background as a forensic Certified Public Accountant and a former

small business owner provides him with the skills necessary to attack the

budget issues confronting the state.

Murphy

concluded, “The status quo of one party rule in Springfield is simply not

working. I hope to provide a competent, in dependent voice to Springfield that

properly represents the Southwest Side and Suburbs of Chicago.”

Ray Hanania is an award-winning

former Chicago City Hall reporter. Reach him at www.TheMediaOasis.com.