Dodge hires Dean Casper as campaign manager for comptroller's race

METRA Board member and Orland Park trustee Jim Dodge hired Dean Casper, a former Orland Township trustee with campaign experience, to manage his campaign in the Republican race for Cook County Comptroller.


He previously ran Dodge's campaign for village clerk in 1993 and is best remembered for the slugfest with former Orland Township Supervisor Mike Brennan many administrations back.


Here's some background on Casper:

EDUCATION

BS Public Administration Northern Illinois U, 1986

AA Liberal Arts Daley College 1984

Brother Rice HS 1982

PROFESSIONAL

Commercial Sales Rep, Pep Boys

POLITICAL

Coordinator:

George Bush for President 1988

State Legislative campaigns

Local elections

18th Ward Republican Committeeman 1992-93

Stevenson Local School Council in Chicago 1989-1993

Orland Park Parking & Traffic Commission 1994-97

Orland Township Deputy Republican Committeeman 1994-98

Orland Township Trustee 1997-2001

District 146 Facilities Committee 1993-Present

District 146 School Board Member 2003-Present
District 146 School Board President 2007-Present

Managed Jim Dodge's election runs for:

Village Clerk -1993

Republican Committeeman 1994


Dodge is in a tight race with former Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, who lost a battle for governor against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Also in the Republican comptroller's race is broadcaster William Kelly, owner of an Emmy award-winning TV production company and formerly Executive Director of the National Taxpayer Union of Illinois.


END

 

Orland Park trustee to run for Illinois Comptroller in Republican Primary

Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge is expected to formally announce his candidacy next week for the office of Illinois Comptroller, the seat vacated by 19th Ward Democrat Dan Hynes who is running for Governor against Pat Quinn in the February 2 Democratic Primary.

Hynes' move creates an open race. Dodge, who has strong ties in the Republican Party and years of experience in government, will be able to take advantage of several factors that give him an edge in his run. The major media will be focussed will be on the top three races of U.S. Senate, Illinois Governor and Cook County Board president. With no incumbent in the comptroller's office, it comes down to which candidate will have the best name recognition in second-tier offices.

Dodge has both a great name and strong party backing. And he's going to reach out beyond party lines, noting that the hardships caused by today's economy nationally and Illinois do not distinguish among party affiliation.

Dodge and his wife Linda have two children, Ashley and Jimmy. A technology consultant by profession, Dodge has proven leadership experience in government and community.

He was re-elected last April to his 6th term on the Village of Orland Park Board as a trustee. Orland Park remains one of the state’s leading municipalities.

He has served on the METRA board as a director since 2004. Dodge doesn't talk from two sides of his mouth. He serves on the METRA board and he rides the METRA train from his Orland Park home to his office downtown. Practicing what you preach is a unique qualification in Illinois politics that will help him.

Dodge served as the Orland Township Republican Chairman from 1994 to 1996.

He served as the Cook County Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Young Republicans.

Dodge has a BS Degree in Psychology from DePaul in the Honors Program. He has an MBA in Economics and Finance from the University of Chicago.

A veteran, Dodge served in the Illinois Army National Guard as a Sergeant 178th Infantry Battalion, 44th RAOC, from 1988-1996.

Click to read Dodge's bio?

--Ray Hanania

www.RadioChicagoland.com

The Scoop: Jim Dodge will announce for Illinois Comptroller

Orland Park Trustee Jim Dodge is expected to formally announce his candidacy next week for the office of Illinois Comptroller, the seat vacated by 19th Ward Democrat Dan Hynes who is running for Governor against Pat Quinn in the February 2 Democratic Primary.

Hynes' move creates an open race. Dodge, who has strong ties in the Republican Party and years of experience in government, will be able to take advantage of several factors that give him an edge in his run. The major media will be focussed will be on the top three races of U.S. Senate, Illinois Governor and Cook County Board president. With no incumbent in the comptroller's office, it comes down to which candidate will have the best name recognition in second-tier offices.

Dodge has both a great name and strong party backing. And he's going to reach out beyond party lines, noting that the hardships caused by today's economy nationally and Illinois do not distinguish among party affiliation.

Dodge and his wife Linda have two children, Ashley and Jimmy. A technology consultant by profession, Dodge has proven leadership experience in government and community.

He was re-elected last April to his 6th term on the Village of Orland Park Board as a trustee. Orland Park remains one of the state’s leading municipalities.

He has served on the METRA board as a director since 2004. Dodge doesn't talk from two sides of his mouth. He serves on the METRA board and he rides the METRA train from his Orland Park home to his office downtown. Practicing what you preach is a unique qualification in Illinois politics that will help him.

Dodge served as the Orland Township Republican Chairman from 1994 to 1996.

He served as the Cook County Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Young Republicans.

Dodge has a BS Degree in Psychology from DePaul in the Honors Program. He has an MBA in Economics and Finance from the University of Chicago.

A veteran, Dodge served in the Illinois Army National Guard as a Sergeant 178th Infantry Battalion, 44th RAOC, from 1988-1996.

Click to read Dodge's bio?

--Ray Hanania

www.RadioChicagoland.com