The last time Republican James O’Hara ran for office, it was for Northwestern’s Associated Student Government. On Nov. 5 he will be running once more, only this time it will be for the Illinois House of Representatives.
Sunday afternoon, O’Hara, Weinberg ’90, teamed up with U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) at Norris University Center to discuss the upcoming election and political issues ranging from diplomacy with Iraq to cleaning up the North Shore Canal.
“I feel right at home,” said O’Hara, who is running against Julie Hamos for state representative in the 18th district, which covers most of Evanston, as well as some of Rogers Park and Skokie. “I still live here. We spent our time in Norris University Center.”
Sponsored by College Republicans, the event drew about 45 students and Evanston residents. O’Hara urged everyone in the group to vote and to encourage others to vote.
“Our responsibility is getting our voters to the polls, and that is where you can help,” O’Hara said.
One of the main issues in O’Hara’s campaign is improving the quality of the water in the North Shore Canal, which he said severely contaminates Lake Michigan. Other issues on his agenda include making home ownership affordable for current renters and reforming campaign finance regulations.
With the election drawing near, Kirk appeared with O’Hara to drum up support for his fellow Republican.
Kirk, a representative from Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, said he has advised the president on issues involving Iraq and spoke about his stance on the possibility of war with Iraq.
“People ask if I am a hawk or a dove, and I tell them I’m an owl,” Kirk said. “I like to do things the smart way.”
Kirk said the United States must gain the support of nations like Russia and France to obtain a U.N. resolution against Iraq.
While informing students on political topics, both Kirk and O’Hara urged students to volunteer.
Speaking from personal experience, Kirk said students can gain entrance into the political world by working on campaigns.
“I volunteered for Bob Dole’s campaign and I got to talk to a man who almost got to be president,” he said.
After hearing the men speak, students asked questions and some filled out forms to volunteer for the campaign effort.
“I came out with the feeling that I learned something, instead of just recruiting (Republican campaign volunteers),” said Katie Althen, College Republicans president and a Weinberg junior. “They addressed key issues, both locally and internationally.”
Medill sophomore Matt McLaughlin signed up for a precinct walk next Saturday.
“I’ve heard Mark Kirk before, and I came with a lot of respect for him as a politician and public speaker,” McLaughlin said. “He definitely met those expectations.”
Although McLaughlin was not familiar with the issues addressed by O’Hara, McLaughlin said the NU alumnus has a grasp on local politics.
“I’m not from Illinois, but James O’Hara brought up some important issues,” he said. “I personally don’t care about ideology as long as the problems are solved.”
