Republicans 
rally at Bivins 
fundraiser

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DIXON – A Friday night fundraiser for state Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, was supposed to be a local show, but health care fever in Washington turned that plan on its head.

Former Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert flew to Illinois from Washington Friday to make an unscheduled speech in which he asked the approximately 300 guests to help “take back this nation” from a Democratically controlled Congress.

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, on the other hand, was scheduled to deliver the keynote address in Dixon. Instead, he appeared by video recorded near Capitol Hill that featured the representative speaking to a GOP rally against the House’s health care bill.

“There’s no way to read all of this before we go to vote ... but I’ve read enough of this to know it’s really bad medicine,” Manzullo said.

The $30-a-plate fundraiser at the Dixon Elks lodge was Bivins’ third “Hometown Banquet” since he was appointed to Illinois’ 45th Senate District in March 2008. He was elected to the 2-year seat in the 2008 general election.

In addition to Republican big wigs from the Sauk Valley, audience at the banquet included included several candidates set to appear on the February primary election ticket.

Three Republican candidates for the 14th Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Bill Foster of Geneva, were on hand. A lieutenant governor candidate and a candidate for the U.S. Senate also appeared.

Bivins, a former Lee County sheriff, is fond of citing a poll that shows just 23 people can sway a representative on most issues.

“That’s why I got involved – to be your voice,” Bivins said. “I couldn’t stand what was happening to our state and our federal government.”

“It’s frustrating at times, but it can be very rewarding.”

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