SPRINGFIELD –  In a CNN interview, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi doubled down on Democrat Whip Katherine Clark and Bernie Sanders’ remarks, calling the Democrat Shutdown "leverage."

U.S. Senate Candidate Don Tracy issued the following statement in response: 

“Raja Krishnamoorthi just confirmed that, no matter what his press releases, campaign mailers or TV ads say, he doesn’t care how many Illinois working families he hurts to advance his political agenda.

“This shutdown is about one thing for Democrats: political leverage. They say it over and over. While Illinois families are worried about missed paychecks, delayed services, and rising costs, Raja and his party are treating the livelihoods of our troops and essential workers like bargaining chips.

“Do Juliana Stratton and Robin Kelly agree with Raja and believe it’s okay to use our troops, law enforcement, and other essential workers as pawns in their political leverage gamesmanship? Illinois voters deserve to know before deciding who they trust to represent them in the U.S. Senate.” 

Don is available for video and phone interviews on this topic, with some availability for in-studio discussions. 

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About Don Tracy: 

Don Tracy is a community leader from Central Illinois who has spent his career fighting for small businesses and working families. An attorney for nearly 50 years, Don is Senior Counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens, the oldest law firm in Illinois. He has served in a number of public service positions, including Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, Secretary of the Illinois Bar Foundation, and President of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Born and raised in Mount Sterling in Western Illinois, Don and his wife, Wanda, raised their 4 children and 8 grandchildren in Springfield.