Martin Ozinga III has received strong affirmation from Chicago’s top newspapers, the Sun-Times and the Tribune, for his run as the Republican contender to succeed retiring, seven-term GOP Rep. Jerry Weller in Illinois’ 11th Congressional District
Sources: Chicago Tribune; Chicago Sun-Times
Martin Ozinga III has received strong affirmation from Chicago’s top newspapers, the Sun-Times and the Tribune, for his run as the Republican contender to succeed retiring, seven-term GOP Rep. Jerry Weller in Illinois’ 11th Congressional District. The head of Chicago-area ready mixed producer Ozinga Brothers Inc. is battling a well-financed opponent, Illinois Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, who has been hampered by her close ties to the state’s increasingly unpopular Democratic governor, Rod Blagojevich.
The Tribune said Ozinga’s business background shows “he understands the nation’s economic challenges and would bring a practical common-sense approach to government.” The editors also believe Ozinga would have cast a “tough vote for the economic rescue plan passed by Congress.” They went on to cite his charitable work around the world, “particularly on the African continent,” where he has worked to help stem the AIDS epidemic, along with other health crises.
In a similar take, the he Sun-Times draws parallels between Ozinga’s building of the industry’s largest, family-owned ready mixed business and knowledge of America’s financial woes. “He knows the weaknesses of the health care system, the perils of overtaxation and the squeeze of the credit crunch, firsthand÷If Ozinga can bring as much drive to representing voters as he did in building his business and doing charity work, voters will be well served.”
Both papers’ endorsements can be accessed through the Ozinga for Congress campaign website, www.martyozinga.com