Gary Dahl
Former State Senator Gary Dahl doesn’t like everything about Pres. Trump, but he still supports him. Dahl said at a Republican rally in Utica Saturday, Trump isn’t a smooth talker but he gets things done.
John Anthony
Former State Representative John Anthony also rallied for Trump. The event was also a pro-law enforcement rally. A former police officer, Anthony spoke out against the police reform protesters who turn violent.
Several current local Republican candidates spoke at the rally at Jamie’s Outpost, including LaSalle County State’s Attorney Karen Donnelly, LaSalle County Circuit Clerk Greg Vaccaro, and Illinois House candidate Travis Breeden.
Andrew Nelms
Andrew Nelms, the Illinois director for the libertarian political action group Americans for Prosperity, told the crowd not to trust the legislature with the power to collect a graduated income tax. The proposed change to the Illinois Constitution is on the ballots.
Craig Martin
Another speaker represented the Three Percenters. It’s described as a far right paramilitary group that believes in gun owner rights and keeping the federal government’s power to a minimum. Some members have reportedly offered armed protection to Republican officer holders and military recruiters who aren’t always allowed to carry weapons. Craig Martin says the group’s members face an unfair stigma. He says they run the gamut from garbage haulers to doctors and they help out in their communities.
Unlike with other pro-police rallies in this area lately, there wasn’t a nearby police reform rally. Some rallies done under the Back the Blue name happened a block or so from Black Lives Matter rallies and at the same time.