BASSI SURVIVES CHALLENGE
By Shruti Daté Singh Daily Herald Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
She didn't have the backing of her home Republican organization, but state
Rep. Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi fought back a challenge Tuesday to win the Republican
primary in House District 54.
Bassi, 59, now will stand for re-election in District 54 in November, against
an as-yet unnamed Democratic challenger.
The local organization, Palatine Township Republican Organization, also known
as TOPPER, put its muscle behind challenger Patricia A. "Pat" Sutarik, who was
running for her first elected office.
Bassi, however, had the support of House Republicans.
The third candidate in the race was Palatine village councilman Warren Kostka.
According to unofficial totals, Bassi received 44.6 percent or 3,843 votes;
Sutarik 40 percent or 3,443 votes; and Kostka 15.4 percent or 1,326 votes.
Should she win another two-year term in Springfield, the Palatine Republican
said she plans to focus on fixing the state budget, improving Illinois' economy
and helping increase the number of jobs.
She said she also will work to boost tourism, which is one of the top
industries in Illinois.
"I am so honored to be able to serve this district again," Bassi said Tuesday
night.
The state House 54th District includes Palatine and parts of Rolling Meadows,
Inverness, Barrington, South Barrington and Hoffman Estates.
Bassi said she believes Republican voters want to return her to Springfield
because they recognize her hard work and integrity.
Sutarik, 52, said she decided to run because Bassi was out of touch with the
district and restore ethics and confidence in government, reduce spending and
lower taxes. She said the fact that more than half the voters cast ballots for
another candidate shows their dissatisfaction.
Sutarik pointed the finger as Kostka, saying she thinks they split the
conservative block. She said at least 10 percent of the voters who went for
Kostka would have voted for her if he was not been in the race.
"I think a lot had to do with Warren being in the race," she said.
Kostka once before unsuccessfully challenged Bassi - losing by just a few
percentage points in the Republican primary two years ago. He had hoped he could
do better this time and nudge Bassi out.
"It wasn't meant to be. I think (voters) were caught up in the fight between
the other two candidates," Kostka said. "I was right on the issues."
Kostka reiterated Tuesday that he intends to step down from the Palatine
village council at the end of his term, which ends April 2005
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