Daily Journal

October 11, 2005

 

Potential Gordon foe eyes brighter future

McAloon: “Damage being done now”

 

By Roy Bernard

David McAloon hopes that by being a state representative, he can leave the state and community in better shape for his children.

 

So far, with the state government, "damage is being done right now," he said.

McAloon, 41, of Bourbonnais, is seeking to be the Republican nominee in the 75th Legislative District, and hopes to face off against current state Rep. Careen Gordon, D-Coal City, in November 2006.

 

He also is president of VIRTUE PAC, or the Values in Religion to Unite Everyone Political Action Committee. In the past, VIRTUE PAC has endorsed candidates of both parties including former Republican state Sen. Patrick O'Malley for governor and Democrat Terry Keigher for Kankakee County sheriff.

 

Calling himself a "Ronald Reagan conservative," McAloon said he would have several priorities as state representative, including improving education, cutting taxes and reducing spending.

 

"The budget is out of control," he said. "We are rushing to fiscal instability and good wages are leaving the state."

 

McAloon cited the trucking industry as an example. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, higher taxes are being blamed for the relocation of 17,000 trucks and hundreds of trucking firms out of state.

 

"This shows how badly a government bureaucracy can destroy a whole industry," he said. "We're losing jobs to Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana."

 

McAloon also is a strong supporter of legal reforms, especially in health care, because doctors continue to move to other states that have lower malpractice insurance costs.

Another problem with state government, McAloon said, is the "corruption and back room deals. Taxpayers are paying for that."

 

Democrats have controlled the 75th District since Mary K. O'Brien was elected in 1996. McAloon believes the Republicans have lost because they "have not presented a candidate that adequately represents the district."

 

"Republicans wanted to be like liberal Democrats," he said. "People in the district are conservative Republicans and Democrats, what are called the Reagan Democrats."

He added that the "liberal wing of the Democrats" in Chicago is really the Democratic Party's base.

 

While VIRTUE PAC is apolitical, McAloon said he chose the Republican Party because, for conservatives, "there is a much stronger Republican base for family values."

 

At this time, McAloon believes he is the only Republican candidate, but the state Republican leadership reportedly is talking to Minooka Mayor Jason Briscoe.

 

McAloon is married, and he and his wife, Brenda, have two boys.

A graduate of Illinois State University, with a bachelor's of science degree in business administration, McAloon is involved in visual media production for Family Harvest Church in Tinley Park.