Our local primary election is just hours away now, and candidates across the state didn't wast any time today with some last minute campaigning in the Forest City. US Senate candidate Andy Martin made the last stop in Rockford tonight. The Republican vying for Roland Burris' seat says high speed rail is crucial to our area. He says it will not only create jobs, but connect our region and give us easier access to the city.
"It will also be a lifestyle change. Today Rockford is separate from Chicago. You can't live in the Rock River Valley and work downtown, it's too far. But just think of what it would mean to families. Kids could go to school, go back home, live in the home city, and still work downtown, be there in 30 minutes on a high speed train," says Martin.
Another Andy M. running for state wide office also made a last minute pitch to Rockford. Andy McKenna is one of eight gubernatorial candidates and one of four who stopped at the Rockford Airport on election eve. And McKenna says he began his campaign with an announcement in Rockford, so it made sense to wind up his campaign here, too.
"It's got an important history. Illinois was a state that was based on entrepreneurs and so was this community in Rockford. We have to get back to starting new businesses. Businesses that can be there for generations. And as a governor I want to help do this," says McKenna.