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Republican Durkin pushes conservative agenda
The U.S. Senate race in Illinois has proven to be a study in contrasts, with Republican candidate Jim Durkin taking a position marked by social moderation and economic conservatism as opposed to rival Dick Durbin's more Democratic party-line stance.
Durkin currently is in his fourth term as state representative in Illinois 44th District.
Among his achievements, Durkin notes, is working with Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan to pass the Safe 2 Learn Program, aimed at preventing school violence, and introducing legislation to make sure child pornographers serve time in prison for their crimes.
He was honored by The Illinois Crime Commission as Legislator of the Year in 2002.
Raised in the western Chicago suburb of Westchester, Durkin received a degree in criminal justice from Illinois State University Bloomington-Normal in 1984, and his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in 1989. He then worked as an Illinois assistant attorney general and an assistant Cook County state's attorney, specializing in narcotics investigations and prosecutions. He continues to practice law for the firm of Pretzel & Stouffer. He is married with four children.
Durkin's conservatism is most apparent in his views.
"The Illinois economy relies on hard working men and women in a wide spectrum of jobs including agricultural, industrial and service employees.
The federal government has a responsibility to use these hard working men and women's tax dollars efficiently and wisely. Our representatives in Washington have grown accustomed to believing they know best how to spend our money," Durkin said. "This Ogovernment knows best' philosophy has lead to wasteful spending, higher taxes and the loss of high quality jobs for our people."
Durkin has named three priorities he believes are necessary for economic vitality:
1) Putting into place permanent tax reductions to "put money back into the hands of the American people."
2) Creating quality jobs by expanding job training and encouraging business growth; and
3) Repealing the death tax, thereby allowing families to pass on the fruits of their labor to their families.
Taking the side of seniors, Durkin takes aim at Washington by calling the stalemate over prescription drug coverage a clear consequence of political wrangling and partisan politics.
Despite Durbin's name recognition, Durkin's hard work and deep conservative convictions have helped him garner support and numerous endorsements.