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First Debate For Illinois Treasurer Happens Today

State of Illinois

The candidates for Illinois treasurer face off this morning for the first debate in a tight race. Republican State Representative Tom Cross and Democratic State Senator Mike Frerichs both want to be the next state treasurer.

It’s a race that’s been surprisingly negative, and Frerichs’ campaign manager Zach Koutsky says it’s all Cross’ fault.

"Our 22-year statehouse opponent has been smearing every time Sen. Frerichs comes out with a proposal to improve an existing program in the office." --- Zach Koutsky, Mike Frerichs's campaign manager
"I don’t think Tom Cross got into this race to be a Frerichs fact checker, but at some point you have to correct people on the mistakes they made and unfortunately that’s been the position we’ve been put in." --- Kevin Artl, Tom Cross's campaign manager

The Frerichs campaign paints its candidate as the one with the experience needed to fix the treasurer’s office. While Cross is promising to be a more activist treasurer - pledging to sue the general assembly if they don’t pass a balanced budget.

The third-party Libertarian candidate, Matthew Skopek, was not invited to the debate.

UPDATED 9:45 A.M. OCT. 15: Libertarian candidate addition