After yesterday’s filing deadline, there are two Republicans that will face off in the March 15 primary to face incumbent Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.Patrick Harlan, a 35 year old Galesburg truck driver had previously announced his candidacy and filed last week, but just before the deadline Jack Boccarossa of Milan added his name as a GOP contender.
Boccarossa is recently retired from the Rock Island Arsenal after 25 years, who lists three principle reasons to run; fighting abortion and keeping the Rock Island Arsenal open.
The third reason he tells WGIL is to make the district a more enticing location for business.
“I would like to see what the District 17 can do to make it more palatable for small business to open up shop here, stay here and manufacture here. I know a lot of the problems that they face and I think I could do a better job than the current person that’s in this office.”
Boccarossa also touts his acumen of small business and farming, owning Jack Frost Pines, a Christmas tree farm in rural Milan.
He points to making efforts for legislators to work better together, on both sides of the aisle
