Metro East Sun

The businessman in Dwight Kay can’t make sense of why Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker would spend money so outrageously to spread messages he argues have little basis in reality.

“It strikes me as quite sad that anyone would devote such resources to something that doesn't stand to help anyone and is probably totally based on untruths,” Kay told the Metro East Sun. “If it takes that much to get your message out, it’s a bad investment. It shows a lack of quality message and is a bad sign for policy and process.”

The Chicago Tribune recently reported Rauner and Pritzker spent upwards of $105 million in posting primary season victories, with Pritzker leading the way by shelling out $68.3 million. 

Dwight Kay

Further analysis shows the spending breaks down to more than $100 per vote cast.

Rauner reportedly has set aside as much as $50 million for his re-election effort beginning in 2016.

Kay, a Glen Carbon Republican who is running against Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in the 112th District, said he thinks the public has had enough of all the distortions and deception.

“What they're doing doesn’t suggest that either of them is trying to be a genuine leader or fix the problems of this state,” he said. “It just looks like two guys with a lot of money trying to buy a race, where neither one of them is really concerned with trying to bring about needed reforms. I think people want a governor who can provide solutions for the financial crisis we face. All this slanderous advertisement is deceiving the public and that’s not what a democracy is all about.”

Kay said if he had his way the two candidates would engage in up to three debates a month between now and November’s election so that voters can be sure about whomever they decide to cast their vote for.

“They need to have to seriously weigh in on all these issues that if not fixed will bankrupt this state,” he said. “People want to know how this state is going to recover and dig ourselves out of this gigantic mess.”

The 112th House District includes parts or all of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Collinsville and O'Fallon.