Ulbrich Brother-in-law to challenge Kowalko

Former Representative Stephanie Ulbrich’s brother-in-law, James Gates, has been chosen to fill the empty slot for the challenger to John Kowalko.

From the News Journal:

An Illinois native and Academy Hill resident, Gates owns a home improvement business in Newark. He previously was in the electrical workers and retail clerks unions. The 58-year-old said he’s been interested in running for office for years but hadn’t found the right opportunity until party officials approached him last week.

LOL.  The right opportunity?   He lives in the district.  He has known that his sister in law represented the district for many years.  He has known that his sister in law was defeated two years ago.   Thus, the right opportunity to run presented itself to Mr. Gates two years ago, and has waited patiently on Mr. Gates’ doorstep for two years, up until the filing deadline.  What Mr. Gates’ quote tells me is that the GOP was begging and pleading with Ulbrich or some other big name to run, and they refused.   So they were left with political newcomer and neophyte Gates, who either came to the GOP when it had no candidate, or, more pathetically, it came to him as the best lest resort candidate.

And is Ms. Stephanie still bitter, or not?

Ulbrich said her advice to Gates has been “not to do what his opponent has done, that is promise everything for everybody.”