Rock Island Today

Francisco Cruz 'Keko' Martinez sees the planned demolition of the Rock Island County Courthouse as symbolic of the way Democrats govern the region.

“Since the 1870s, there has only been one Republican sheriff and the other side’s ongoing neglect is now revealing itself,” Martinez, running for Rock Island County Sheriff against Democratic incumbent Gerry Bustos, told Rock Island Today. “They’ve totally run things in[to] the ground over the last century [where] they’ve had almost absolute control.”

Martinez has made putting an end to the out-migration crippling Illinois a theme of his campaign.

“The biggest difference between me and my opponent is that I want to save people more of their own money and cease with all the ways government is simply wasting it,” Martinez said. “The biggest thing my opponent likes to brag about is how he’s a professional and not a politician. I don’t know how he can say that when he is neglecting the safety of his office by not getting anything done for officers and not being able to maintain even the most basic things.”

The issue really isn’t about the state needing more revenue as Democrats like House Speaker Mike Madigan and nominee for Governor J.B. Pritzker have argued, Martinez said.  

“Our problem has never been lack of income but with how we handle all the money we take in,” Martinez said.

Martinez said Rock Island residents have virtually nothing to show for all their years under Democratic rule.

“It’s critical that we have new leadership if we’re going to slow the flood out of Illinois,” he said. “For the sake of our kids and grandkids, we have to come and make sure our voices and concerns are heard.”