Letter to the Editor: Questioning Out-of-County Political Donations for Local Race
Who should decide which candidate should be our McDonough County Sheriff? I say it should be the citizens, the residents, the voters of McDonough County, not high-dollar donors who have little or no real connection with McDonough County.
In my opinion, the election of a county sheriffin rural Illinois is a very important, significant, critical election to the citizens of that rural Illinois county. Every resident of that county should have an interest in deciding who the sheriffwill be. Realistically, the citizens/residents of that rural county should be the only ones having any influence on that local election.
Why would anyone who lives outside of the rural county, and not even near the rural county, be interested in a local sheriff's race? Especially why would someone from a major metropolitan city hundreds of miles away be interested in a local downstate sheriff's race? Even more puzzling is why would an entity hundreds of miles away and mainly consisting of members of the other party (Democrat) be interested in in a primary sheriff's race of another party (Republican), even interested enough to make more than considerable financial contributions?
Why would the Chicago Police Union, FOP Lodge 7 donate $10,000 to a sheriff's candidate in a Republican primary election? It seems safe to assume the majority of this group would be affiliated with the Democratic party, yet they made a donation to Republican candidate Joe Moon Aug. 23. Does that make sense? Why would they do that?
Why would an organization named Troopac, based in Springfield, make two substantial donations to candidate Moon? They made a $5,000 donation last Aug. 5. They made another $9,000 donation Sept. 13. As I understand it, Troopac is an arm of FOP Troopers Lodge 41, which proclaims itself as representing all troopers statewide. Why would a statewide organization be interested in influencing a local county sheriff's race. Lodge 41 President Kevin Howell recently commented, 'This is a common practice when a member seeks an endorsement and donation request for running in a political campaign.'
Two substantial donations solely because he requested them. The lodge is not saying he is qualified, nor is the lodge saying he is the best candidate for the position of sheriffin McDonough County. The lodge has contributed $14,000 so far, trying to influence a local election just because he requested it.
Again, I ask, why would these organizations donate such substantial amounts to a candidate in a county sheriff's race? What do they expect in exchange for these large donations?
I have been a resident of McDonough County for most of the time since 1968 and I have been a part of local law enforcement in some capacity throughout those years. I clearly have an interest in the local primary race for sheriff. I have a solid understanding of what we need as a sheriffhere.
I fully support our current SheriffNick Petitgout. He is a proven, experienced sheriff. Nick has my vote!
Noel Oliver Colchester, Illinois
