©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Kirk Endorsed by Caterpillar Chairman |
The chairman of the board of a major area employer has thrown his support behind the Republican running for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
Caterpillar Chairman Jim Owens Monday used Caterpillar's Altorfer rental facility in East Peoria as the backdrop for formally announcing his support of Republican Congressman Mark Kirk, who's running for Senate against Democrat Alexi Giannoulias.
Owens says he's known Kirk for a long time, and believes the suburban Chicago Republican will be good for Cat's interests.
"He's taken a great interest in our business," Owens said. "He's been, I think, a great leader in building consensus for a lot of the policies that'll be beneficial for our business, and have been, and will be for years to come."
Kirk says he couldn't be more pleased to have Owens' endorsement.
"[Owens] represents and leads one of the largest employers in Illinois," Kirk said. "Our state suffers from an above-average unemployment rate. We are crippled, in the Chicago area, by higher taxes than many other jurisdictions. Our state is the easiest place to bring a lawsuit. And, after the Blagojevich trial, we're well known as the most corrupt state in America."
Kirk says Illinoisans can make change if they vote him into office.
Owens says Kirk toured some of Cat's East Peoria facilities and spoke to the management team about his policies before a press conference Monday.
Kirk says he's worried about current tax policies that he feels will punish those like Cat who export a lot of goods, while the Giannoulias campaign says Kirk's voting record has helped push jobs overseas.
Kirk has yet to campaign in Galesburg this election cycle, while Giannoulias has been in town at least twice. But campaign officials say Kirk will be here before Election day.
(Rep. Mark Kirk campaigns Monday at Caterpillar's Altorfer rental facility in East Peoria. WGIL News Story and Photo by Will Stevenson.) |
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| 08 31 10 by Newsroom |
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