“Our endorsement goes to Gregory Bedell, a Chicago attorney who is making his first run for office. Bedell, 49, says the Republican Party in recent years lost its way because it abandoned its bedrock values: low taxes, responsible spending and reasonable regulation. He wants government to take a careful, restrained approach to health care, financial regulation, trade and other issues.”

“Bedell says the government should provide a safety net for Americans who are hurting in the economic downturn by extending jobless benefits and providing emergency funding for Medicaid and Medicare. But he says Congress shouldn’t try to fix the domestic auto industry with a huge commitment of taxpayer dollars and has to avoid the temptation to resort to trade protectionism.”

See the Editorial Board Interviews:

The following is the letter sent by Greg Bedell to the Sun-Times’ Editorial Board after its effective endorsement of a one party election:

To the Editorial Board:

As one of the non-Democratic Party candidates in the race for the 5th Congressional District seat, I was disheartened, not by your selection of Mr. Quigley, but what can only be seen as the Sun-Times’ endorsement of a one party system.

The Blagojevich scandal, the pay-to-play scandals (which your paper headlined on its front page just last week) and what seems to be the never ending stream of corruption surrounding our local governments, are testimony to the inevitable abuses inherent in a one party system. It is clear that this situation will not change until the party in power is truly challenged and, if merited, removed.

Notwithstanding that the Sun-Times sees a statistical inevitability in this election, the people of the 5th District have many choices available to them across several parties. The Sun-Times has done a disservice to its readers, and has failed in its public trust, by failing to inform people of their choices and guide them, if it sees fit, through thoughtful endorsements. This is unfortunate; and a city with the stature of Chicago deserves better.

Bedell Supports a Return to Republican Fundamentals

Chicago, IL (Feb. 9, 2009) –

Greg Bedell, Republican candidate for Congress in the Illinois 5th District Special Election, today received the endorsement of Tony Peraica, Cook County Commissioner, 16th District.

In announcing his endorsement of Mr. Bedell, Mr. Peraica said, “Greg Bedell is one of the new, energetic Republicans who can make a difference by leading with traditional principles. He’ll fight for all the citizens of the 5th District, without ties to the political machine or special interest groups.”

Mr. Bedell, 49, said he is running for Congress to support a return to Republican fundamentals. His campaign is focused on developing creative solutions to the current challenges citizens face – solutions grounded in traditional Republican beliefs of fiscal responsibility and strong national security. “The country needs to find direction in the Republican basics of low taxes, responsible spending and reasonable regulation.  My experience and my character have prepared me to take on this fight, and now is the time to do it,” said Mr. Bedell, Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional District of Illinois.

About Greg Bedell

An attorney for more than 23 years, Mr. Bedell’s focus has been to help individuals and small businesses solve problems. In describing his qualifications for office, Mr. Bedell said, “I believe that the strength of the individual, not the government, is the greatest resource we have to solve problems.”

In order to leverage the power of individual contributions, he said, “I want to know what people think about the issues, and what they need, in order to thoroughly understand them.  This absolutely applies to people with views different from mine. By listening, you can reach common ground, which will provide ideas that will work for the district.”

Mr. Bedell and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Yvonne (7) and Conner (4). A 1982 graduate of the University of Chicago, he has been practicing law in Chicago since 1985. He started his career as a staff attorney with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In 1987, he went into private practice. Over the years, he has also volunteered with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, and has taught constitutional and commercial law.

For more information on the candidate and his stance on issues, please visit http://www.bedellforcongress.org

About Tony Peraica

A true American success story, Mr. Peraica was born in Croatia in 1957, and was orphaned at the age of 11. He came to the United States when he was 13.   He attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned his B.A., and went on to earn his law degree from the John Marshall Law School.  He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984, and continues to work as a lawyer in private practice at Anthony J. Peraica & Associates.

As an underdog candidate, he was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2002 as a Republican. Mr. Peraica was a member of the alliance of mostly-freshman commissioners that defeated Stroger’s proposed 2004 budget.  Since that time, he has championed a reform agenda on the Cook County Board.

In 2006, running a reform campaign for the Cook County Board, Mr. Peraica secured more votes than any other Republican in Cook County history - narrowly losing to now-President Todd Stroger.

Mr. Peraica did win re-election to the County Board - and continues to fight for reform.  He is up for re-election in 2010 - a must-win race for Democrats, Republicans and Independents interested in reform.

For more information about Mr. Peraica, please visit http://www.peraica.com

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION

press@bedellforcongress.org

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While I believe there is a lot of common ground between Republicans and Democrats, what we witnessed last week was a true philosophical divide. I applaud President Obama for his efforts to create bi-partisan support; I believe his outreach to Republicans was genuine. I also applaud his recognition that tax cuts are essential to stimulating the economy.

However, the bill proposed and passed by Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership lacked the President’s insight, discipline and bi-partisan spirit. Rather than pass a bill that the President called for, including tax cuts and infrastructure investment (bridges, roads, power grid, etc.) only about a third of the spending was directed to these needed programs; the rest was big government spending on special interest programs. By now we’ve all heard the stories of the pet projects, totaling billions of dollars, which were put in the bill but which would have no stimulative effect; they would only create further government program dependence and increase the deficit and national debt. Moreover, the Congressional Budget Office’s own analysis suggested that most of the affect of the Democrats’ bill would not been seen by workers for a few years. This is not what is needed.

I credit the Republican Party for standing up for tax payers, now and for generations into the future. If the other programs are worthy, let them be debated on their own merits, stand under the light of day and not be hidden as “stimulus” when the entire country knows this is not the case.

I agree with, and would support, the proposals of the Republicans in Congress. I believe the most effective and rapid stimulation comes from putting money directly back into people’s pockets; I fear the waste and inefficiency that can come from routing it through Washington. I support an immediate suspension of payroll taxes; I would support a tax credit for home buyers and, perhaps, new car buyers; I would support an extension of the Bush administration’s tax cuts as well as keeping the capital gains tax at its current rate.

On the spending side, I do support the infrastructure proposals of President Obama, recognizing, however, that their stimulative effects will not be immediate. I would support loan guarantees to companies investing in technological innovations and I would support the Federal Housing Administration and Federal Reserve programs which help qualified homeowners in mortgage trouble. And, because I believe that at times like this, government must provide a safety net, I would support extension of jobless benefits as well as any emergency funding for Medicaid and Medicare so that those in need of medical treatment can get it.