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Illinois Rep. Smiddy defends his support of Mike Halpin’s campaign

Illinois Rep. Mike Smiddy released a statement Thursday, March 10, defending his $75,000 donation to Mike Halpin’s campaign for Illinois state representat...
Mike Smiddy, photo from Illinois General Assembly

Illinois Rep. Mike Smiddy released a statement Thursday, March 10, defending his $75,000 donation to Mike Halpin’s campaign for Illinois state representative.

Smiddy said he called Rep. Verschoore to apologize and said he could not support Verschoore’s nephew Jeff Jacobs to replace his position.

“I felt having served with Pat and knowing him for such a long time I owed him that phone call,” said Smiddy.

Jacobs is an attorney in Moline and lifelong resident of Rock Island County, according to his campaign.

Smiddy says that he has been an independent voice in Springfield who has stood up to Gov. Rauner, and that his choice was not made for political gain or security.

“Being a representative should not be considered a family business passed down to the next generation. It should be about being the best candidate willing to earn the right to serve an area,” said Smiddy.

In response to Smiddy’s donation to the Halpin campaign, Jacobs had said Smiddy had it to do it for his future.

“Getting upset when someone has the audacity to challenge that thought process is upsetting to me,” said Smiddy.

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