Secretary of State Jim Edgar’s support for governor is spanning Illinois as state legislators send a message that the Republican is the man to believe this election.

Sixteen State Reps. and Sens. are traveling in every direction to let people know Democrat Attorney General Neil Hartigan is the wrong choice for governor.

State Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb, and Sen. Jack Shaffer, R-Cary, an NIU alumn, and three other State Reps. targeted flaws in Hartigan’s campaign in a requested interview at The Northern Star.

State Reps. Robert Churchill, R-Antioch, Myron Olson, R-Dixon, and Kathleen Wojcik, R-Schaumburg, detailed possible dangers in electing Hartigan as governor.

One such hazard might be the Democratic candidate’s budget plans depleting funds for Illinois Medicare and education, according to the legislators. Hartigan’s proposed budget is an unrealistic promise to get people’s vote, Churchill said.

The group said if Edgar’s surcharge tax is revised it might help to lessen the stress higher education is feeling and that the Republican candidate is in favor of a separate governing board for NIU.