A Savvy, Determined Reformer for Governor

From the Dan Proft for Governor campaign. Illinois Isn't Broken, It's Fixed:

Chicago Tribune profile

Dan Proft vies for GOP nomination for governor

by Michelle Manchir, Chicago Tribune

SPRINGFIELD — Republican governor candidate Adam Andrzejewski drew an analogy as he tried to convince a southwest suburban crowd that he is more electable than fellow conservative Dan Proft.

"Date Dan. Marry Adam," Andrzejewski told more than 1,000 people gathered at an early-November forum sponsored by conservative tea party groups in Homer Glen. "Date Dan. Marry Adam."

Sensing his opponent had teed up an easy one, Proft pounced.

"I thought we were against gay marriage," he deadpanned.

The exchange captures the dynamic of both candidates. Proft, 37, is a radio commentator and longtime political operative unafraid to unleash his notoriously sharp tongue. Andrzejewski, 40, is the former owner of a phone directory publisher who is a rookie in politics.

Both are running in the Feb. 2 governor primary, seeking to shake up the GOP establishment by channeling rising voter anger into support at the polls.

"We don't know what we can do in this state, particularly as a Republican Party, because for 15 years we haven't tried anything," Proft said in an interview last week.

In addition to the one-liners, Proft has laid out where he stands on the issues. He wants to cut the state personal and corporate taxes by 50 percent, roll back the state's minimum wage and tie it to the federal level and reduce "predatory" environmental procedures that he said discourage companies from investing in Illinois.

Proft also said that if elected, he would prevent expansion of casino gambling and try to scrap the state's controversial new video poker law. And he would seek major savings by attempting to downsize the Medicaid program by a third to cover only the state's "truly vulnerable population."

Proft has long been known for pointed comments, ranging from his days as a consultant and spokesman for Cicero to a top aide for many campaigns. Earlier this month, he raised eyebrows at one debate when he sarcastically dismissed the rags-to-riches stories of fellow white candidates by quoting Steve Martin in "The Jerk": "Like everybody else, I was born a poor, black child too." ...

... Proft tells audiences that he was adopted and that being born shortly before the Roe vs. Wade decision helped shape his opposition to abortion in all cases except to save a mother's life.