Will County Gazette

Republican Congressional candidate Mike Fricilone (R-Homer Glen) is calling on 3rd District rival Marie Newman to denounce the ongoing “defund the police” movement and return all the money she’s received for her campaign from groups that support such a prospect.

“I believe we all should support the police, as we strive to our communities safe and thriving,” Fricilone told the Will County Gazette. “Right now, we’ve got people that are afraid to go outside and if anything we need to have more police to protect them. We can’t afford to take away any of those critical dollars right now.”

As it is, Fricilone charges Newman’s general silence on the subject has spoken volumes.

“Her non-response tells you everything you need to know,” he said. “She knows her position and she’s just not willing to denounce any of this.”

Fricilone argues Newman’s stubborn nature should help make voters’ choice easier.

“My message is clear and everywhere I go voters tell me they don’t want the crime and chaos in their neighborhood,” he said. “That she won’t take a stance speaks to the disconnect she has with the people of the district.”

Fricilone also accuses Newman of betraying district voters by aligning herself with the likes of “extremists” such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York).

“You can’t be much more out of tune with voters here than that,” he said. “Everything I’ve heard from the people in the district I’ve talked to tells me that’s not something they want to see.”

But as Election Day draws closer, Fricilone said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Newman try to recast herself in some ways.

“As we get closer, she may put something out to there to make sound like she’s more pro-police,” he said. “It’ll be all talk because the truth is she backs the most extreme views while my policies are rooted in the values of the community.”