Illinois 5th Congressional District Democratic Candidate Charlie Wheelan is working hard to brand himself as the political outsider and reform candidate. While other candidates are running on the “reform” and “progressive” message, it is Wheelan who seems to be “walking the talk” right now.
Wheelan is truly this race’s political outsider. His most recent political ad, supposedly set to be aired during the SuperBowl (according to Politico) shows how far Wheelan is going to drive home the message that he represents the alternative to Chicago-style politics as usual.
Wheelan is counting on the fact that John Fritchey, through his connection to local ward bosses and as son-in-law to Ald. Banks’ brother, can’t possibly get voters to buy the message that he is the reformer.
Sara Feigenholtz is also hard-pressed to make make that message stick by virtue that she has been a long-serving member of the Illinois General Assembly. Her association in Illinois politics could actually be harmful here, despite her record. Plus, her main issues – women’s issue, civil rights – are not exactly reform issues.
That leaves Mike Quigley and Tom Geoghegan. Quigley has the reputation as a reformer through his years in Cook County. But, how far is he willing to go to get peoples’ attention in what will be an apathetic turnout? It looks like Wheelan is ready to take on more risk that comes with a bigger payback. That may be what is needed in a short race.
In sum, while building his brand, Wheelan seems to have grasped connecting his big idea (reform and economics) to his message better than most of his competitors. That will serve him well in this race. As the political climate seems to be looking for new voices, Wheelan is positioning himself as the public servant voters can trust and someone with the skill to take on the current set of challenges Congress is facing.
5 responses so far ↓
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[...] was super-impressed with Charlie Wheelan’s three TV ads – Underwater, Upside Down and the Dark Knight. Those ads showed a level of creativity and uniqueness that I [...]