The Potential GOP Shocker in the Southwest Suburbs
Republican State Representative candidate Gabby Shanahan knocks on doors Monday in Plainfield.
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Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) has been pounding the pavement for years.
He ran for House in 2020, won in a 2022 remap, and is seeking his second term in 2024.
Knocking doors in Joliet Monday afternoon, Benton had a look of confidence.
“I’m proud of everyone that’s worked for me and volunteered for me,” Benton said, reflecting on the campaign. “We’ve put it all out on the line and we’re going to see what ends up happening.”
Benton says the district relates to his moderate style of legislating.
“That’s who I am,” Benton said. “I’m a moderate Democrat and I couldn’t care less about the politics. I never wanted to get into politics. There were enough people that pissed me off that forced me to get into politics. I think a lot of people feel that way.”
His opponent, Republican Gabby Shanahan, spent Monday knocking on doors in Plainfield in the last push before polls opened Tuesday morning.
“I’m feeling really good,” Shanahan said, smiling as she moved between houses. “It’s a good feeling going into the final stretch.”
Many Republicans privately believe Shanahan is the GOP’s best shot to pick up a Democratic-held seat this fall in a district that was previously represented by a Republican (Mark Batinick) and Benton only won by around 1,000 votes over a less funded candidate two years ago.
But Shanahan says she doesn’t look at the task with any additional pressure.
“I’m focused on myself,” she said. “This district is a working class district with families and that’s what my husband and I embody. So, we’re just trying to get our message to resonate with them.”
Benton has been criticized by the GOP and even some Democratic bloggers for taking credit for eliminating the grocery tax, but he didn’t vote on the bill and for claiming credit for things in the budget that he voted against.
Shanahan says voters can’t trust Benton.
“When you have someone campaigning on eliminating the Grocery Tax and the gas tax and does a 180 by not voting on it, people realize that stuff. They’re sick of being lied to,” Shanahan said. “If you can be an authentic person, it really resonates with people.”
But Benton defends his record and rhetoric as being blown out of proportion.
“I have a reputation for being honest with people and being honest with the district,” he said. “It doesn’t really come up at the doors because people know me.”
While Republicans have invested in Shanahan, Democrats have flexed their cash muscles in the district, especially over the final two weeks. House Democrats spent more than $925,000 on Chicago broadcast TV for Benton in the final two weeks of the campaign.
“Despite what the ads and the mailers say, I’m not some crazy extremist,” Shanahan said.
Benton says he’s confident heading into the final day.
“I think it’s a tight district but we’ve done the work and we’re gonna be in a good spot tomorrow,” he said.