Rock Island Today

Mike Steffen says he's fed up with conservative impersonators.

“I’ve had it with politicians who tell us one thing to get elected, then do something else entirely once they’ve gotten our vote,” Steffen, the chairman of the Rock Island County Republican Party, told the Rock Island Today. “I’m looking for people who are who they say they are.”

Steffen first made his feelings known in a letter he posted on RICOgop.org, which he said was prompted by what he’s seen at the national and local levels.

Mike Steffen

“In Washington, we have the majority in both the Senate and the House, and we’ve gotten nothing done,” he said. “I believe in what President (Donald) Trump is doing and how he’s out to drain the swamp. I blame legislators for nothing happening with policy. Majorities mean nothing if you can’t or aren’t committed to advancing your agenda.”

Steffen said he will now be vigilant in making sure local candidates pass the conservative litmus test.

“We need people truly committed to draining the swamp like the president says and things like pro-life and smaller government,” he said. “You need to be real about being a conservative.”  

Steffen argued that much has changed for the worse since he first ran for office.

“I knocked on every door I could find, and now people tell me they never see or meet the people that are asking them for their vote,” he said.

Steffen described Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) as a prime example of a politician ignoring her constituents.

“Bustos is just is terrible, and no one in the community ever sees her,” he said. “She’s on (U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy) Pelosi’s payroll and is too busy doing everything she wants. We have a very good candidate to run against her in businessman Mark Kleine, and we're hoping to finally rid ourselves of one of the swamp creatures.”