DeKALB | Republican incumbent Bob Pritchard and Democratic candidate Chuck Sauer bring two very different viewpoints to the race for representation of the 70th District of Illinois.

Pritchard has been the district’s representative for the past three years, while Sauer is currently employed as an attorney and pharmacist.

As the incumbent, Pritchard may have the advantage, based on his record.

“I am proud of the medical malpractice reforms passed last year and the expansion of early-childhood education,” Pritchard said. “I supported new protection of our homes from eminent domain-taking and reinstated programs to help seniors pay their property taxes. I proposed and supported steps to increase renewable fuel production and use. My office has helped countless individuals cut through government red tape and gain the benefits to which they were entitled.”

On the Democrat side, Sauer believes the district’s focus should be on “reducing property taxes and funding education through more fair mechanisms. Many people can’t afford to live in their homes on modest incomes, and sixty percent of tax bills go to education. We need different systems, and to fund education through income taxes is fairer for the kids and better for taxpayers,” he said.

Pritchard also has plans for his future term, including making college cheaper for students.

“I have a strategy to reform school funding and operations, grow jobs and generate more revenue from economic activity and reforms,” Pritchard said. “We must reverse the trend that is taking the cost of a college education beyond the reach of many families and invest in our schools, universities, transportation and economic growth.”

Sauer also said he believes health care insurance cost is a priority.

“Affordable health care is a big issue,” Sauer said. “The focus is always on doctors versus lawyers, and malpractice. But the focus should be on insurance companies who are making record profits. Nobody’s health care insurance has gone down. We need better oversight over insurance industry.”

Sauer said he feels this issue has gone unnoticed by Pritchard. “I haven’t seen him touch that whatsoever.”

Pritchard said he feels the biggest issue affecting the 70th District is the “impact of our state spending policy. Because of the spending policy, the state has borrowed 10 billion dollars in the last four years. We need to balance revenue with spending.”

Sauer believes politicians owe it to the people not to strictly vote along party lines.

“Politics lately seem to be above public service. I want to make a difference and I think I can,” Sauer said.

Because of his inexperience in the political realm, Sauer may be facing an uphill battle within the race.

“In down-ballot contests, like those for the state legislature, name recognition is extremely important,” said political science professor Matthew Streb. “As the incumbent, Pritchard has name recognition. As a challenger, especially one with little experience in politics, Sauer does not.”