Gabby Shanahan Vows To Beat State Rep. Harry Benton, 'Lower Taxes'

JOLIET, IL ? Seven months after Democrat Harry Benton took office representing the 97th State Representative District, Gabriella ?Gabby? Shanahan of Joliet announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination.

"Like many working families, I am concerned with the direction of our state because of extreme policies coming out of Springfield," Shanahan informed Joliet Patch on Friday. "My opponent believes more government and more spending is the solution, I say that is the problem. He calls himself a new kind of democrat, yet his votes show he is the same old tax, spend and over-regulate democrat. We need to empower residents and parents, not limit their freedom."

The primary is March 19, 2024, with the general election in November 2024. The Illinois? 97th Legislative District encompasses parts of Will and Kendall counties including the municipalities of Plainfield, Naperville, Joliet, Shorewood and Aurora.

In Friday's press release, Gabby Shanahan remarked that although many people are cynical about the state of Illinois, she pledged to fight to end the culture of corruption, improve transparency, advocate for our children, for safe communities, and restore fiscal responsibility.

She pointed out that the incumbent ? Benton ? voted for a $50 billion budget in his first term that included a legislation pay raise and balanced by COVID money that will not always be available in the future.

According to her bio, Gabby Shanahan is a graduate of Plainfield Central High School and she holds a bachelor?s degree in political science and United States history, as well as a master?s in business administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

"I am running for state representative to advocate for a secure and prosperous state by supporting policies that keep tax rates low, communities safe, small businesses prospering and give children the education opportunities that suit their families? needs," Gabby Shananan explained. "I believe that it is important to champion the needs of hardworking individuals and limit government control to flourish and prosper."

She said she is active in the community, serving as finance chair of the Kendall County Health Department, Kendall County Young Republican Chair, and she is employed by a non-profit organization. Gabby lives with her husband Martin and their three children in Joliet.

Martin "Marty" Shanahan is the former city of Joliet corporation counsel who served as Joliet's interim city manager on two different occasions, first in 2017 and again in 2018-2019. These days, Marty Shanahan is employed with the city of Aurora as chief community services officer.

As part of her candidacy, Gabby Shanahan detailed her plan to lower taxes, back the blue, promote education that empowers parents, and demand transparency and accountability to end the culture of corruption permeating Illinois.

?It?s time to elect good people, stand up to bullies and bring this state back to prosperity," she declared in Friday's campaign announcement.

When Benton took office in January, the newly elected state representative from Plainfield said he would focus on supporting workers' rights, fighting for property tax relief and affordable healthcare.

"I?m a union ironworker and father, which isn?t what we?re used to in Springfield. But our community isn't looking for business as usual," Benton said in January's statement. "I know the challenges families are facing right now because I live them myself. That?s why I'm going to fight for property tax relief, to rein in unaffordable healthcare and childcare costs for working families, and to always support people looking to build a middle-class life in our community."