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Daily Herald Campaign mailer fails to impress (1/29/10):

I just got a flyer in the mail from State Rep. Sandy Cole. The mailer states her opponent is making outrageous and misleading comments. “Mudslinging” and “Fabrications” are words splashed across the front. On the back is a new word: “Blog-o-vicious.”

Unfortunately for me and other primary voters interested in where these candidates actually stand, Ms. Cole’s flyer:

1. doesn’t name her opponent

2. doesn’t give a single specific statement of her opponent that I can verify to see whether it is, in fact, outrageous or misleading.

I checked Ms. Cole’s Web site for more specifics – nada.

At the bottom of the flyer is written “Beware of dirty tricks, scurrilous comments and nasty attacks … they’re coming soon to your mailbox…”

I think they just did.

Ed Harrigan
Wildwood

Daily Herald Most recent contributions similar for 62nd House candidates (1/23/10):

Two Republican candidates in the state House District 62 primary raised similar amounts of money for their campaigns in the past six months.

Grayslake Review Two Republicans face off for 62nd House

For example, if elected, Mitchell said he would eliminate funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers and instead fund services to aid pregnant women in crisis. He would also uphold traditional marriage if it comes to a vote.
Cole, who is pro-choice, feels abortion is a public health issue that should not be legislated. She also defends that Planned Parenthood is the largest sponsor of women’s health services, such as life-saving mammograms.
On same-sex marriage, Cole said she has polled her district on the issue, and for the most part, her constituents are split. Cole said she would support civil unions, which takes out the church aspect and is more about a contractual agreement, if that is what the majority of her constituents want.

Daily Herald For House Dist. 62, Republican: Cole (1/18/10):

Challenger Paul Mitchell, 47, of Hainesville, urges voters to support him for “a comprehensively conservative vision” – and points to his staunch stance as an abortion opponent – versus the more moderate incumbent, Sandy Cole of Grayslake… Mitchell, a computer industry custom database developer and consultant, is a thoughtful candidate…”

Lake County Journal Voters in 62nd District get choice in primary (1/13/10):

Unemployment, a lack of job growth and a lack of accountability among elected officials are some of the top concerns facing the state and the district, Mitchell said.

Placing all proposed spending in the state online for voters to access will help increase accountability, Mitchell said. No agency or program should assume it will get an increase in funding every budget cycle, he said.

“[The state should] make every single program justify its existence,” Mitchell said. “There should not be an assumption that every agency is necessary.”

Both candidates said they do not support expansion of video gambling as a way to fund the state’s capital bill, and that voters should have the ability to recall elected officials in rare cases.

Although he does not take issue with Cole’s record on taxes, voting against tax increases is not enough, Mitchell said.

“I think [state representatives] need to be leading a fight [against taxes],” he said. “I think they need to be trying to get people involved … [Cole] doesn’t do that kind of leadership.”

…Mitchell also maintains that Cole does not uphold the Republican platform, particularly on abortion.

“We are a Mecca for abortion from the entire Midwest,” Mitchell said. “That does harm to a culture; it does harm to a society; and it does harm to an economy.”

Lake County News-Sun Mitchell challenges Cole for GOP nomination (1/12/10):

Mitchell, seeking his first elected office, says he is the “comprehensively conservative” candidate in the race, representing the Republican platform in its entirety.

Daily Herald Tension arises at 62nd House forum (1/11/10):

Two Republican state representative candidates showed their differences in a Grayslake forum Sunday afternoon and no words were minced when the first question arrived…

Mitchell was the first to answer a written question posed to the candidates that asked for the major difference between them.

“The biggest difference is I’m pro-life,” Mitchell told the audience at Grayslake Central High School. “I’m pro-life without exception. I’m pro-life from the beginning of conception to natural death.”

Cole stressed her a 25-year Lake County residency and her range of experiences from homeowner to community activist to elected official.

Daily Herald 62nd House hopefuls say change is needed in employee pensions (1/3/09, front page w/photo in print edition):

Mitchell, 47, a computer industry customer database developer and consultant, said defined-benefit pensions in the public sector should be shifted to a model where employees make contributions similar to those in private business with 401(k) plans.

“I really don’t see what’s so special about state employees, why they have to be different from me,” said Mitchell, who is making his first run at public office.

Mitchell also said he supports keeping pension promises made to taxpayer-funded employees

Lake County News-Sun Political Briefs (12/15/09):

MITCHELL ENDORSED: Paul Mitchell of Hainesville, Republican candidate in the 62nd House District, has picked up the following endorsements: Illinois Federation for Right to Life Political Action Committee; Tax Accountability, the political action arm of National Taxpayers United of Illinois; and Illinois Conservatives Facebook group.

Lake Villa Review Cole to face off with Mitchell for District 62 (12/3/09):

State Representative Sandy Cole, R-62nd of Grayslake, will be challenged in the Primary Election by Republican Paul Mitchell of Hainesville….

Mitchell said he wants to provide a conservative alternative to Cole.

“I wanted to run because I thought Republican voters deserved to have the opportunity to vote for a Republican who actually runs on the Republican platform, not away from it,” he said, echoing a statement used in his campaign materials. “I think Sandy has done a poor job of representing the Republican platform.” …

Grayslake Review Candidates file for February elections (11/5/09)
Gurnee Review Candidates file for February elections (11/5/09):

State Rep. Sandy Cole, R-62nd, of Grayslake, will seek re-election to a second term. Paul Mitchell, of Hainseville, will challenge her for the Republican nomination…

Newcomer Mitchell, an Air Force veteran with five children, works in the computer industry as a database developer.

Daily Herald Lake County ballots to have touch of Green (11/4/09)

Lake County News-Sun Crowded fields in 8th and 10th congressional districts (10/27/09):

State Rep Sandy Cole, R-Grayslake, filed for re-election in District 62. Also filing in that district were Republican Paul Mitchell of Hainesville and Democrat Rich Voltair of Round Lake Beach.

WEBSITES:
Illinois Review: Cole supporters attack GOP prolife candidates

Publius Forum: ICE-PAC Endorses Paul Mitchell for State Rep

Publius Forum: Eagle Forum Ill. Primary Endorsements

Illinois Review: RALC members pick Hughes, Andrzejewski and White

Illinois Review: Eagle Forum of IL releases GOP primary endorsements

Red County: 62nd District: Eagle Forum of Illinois Endorses Paul Mitchell for State House Seat

Cao’s Blog: Eagle Forum of Illinois Endorses Paul Mitchell for State House Seat

Jumping in Pools: Conservative Republican for hire, Paul Mitchell.

Cao’s Blog: Paul Mitchell Endorsed by Illlinois Center Right Coalition

Cao’s Blog: what I saw at the Lake County League of Women Voters Candidate Forum for GOP Candidates (videos & pictures)

Illinois Review: Mitchell vs Cole in 62nd House GOP Primary

Red County: 62nd District State Rep Race: Mitchell Congratulates Opponent on Planned Parenthood Endorsement