Press Releases
All of Maria's press releases can be found here:
SBA List Candidate Fund Endorses Maria Rodriguez for Congress in Illinois' 8th District
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund, a national pro-life political action committee, announced their endorsement of Maria Rodriguez, Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois' 8th District.
"The Susan B. Anthony List is proud to endorse Maria Rodriguez for Congress," said Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "Maria Rodriguez will be an authentic pro-life voice and passionate advocate for women and unborn children in the halls of Congress. Health care reform legislation could open floodgates to taxpayer-funded abortion, and we need women like Maria to stand firm against such efforts to violate the consciences of pro-life Americans."
"2010 could very well be the year of the pro-life woman," Dannenfelser continued. "We're seeing more and more qualified pro-life women step up to serve their communities as candidates for Congress and statewide office. Maria Rodriguez is the only candidate in this race who holds elected office, and she brings a strong record of support from both sides of the aisle. Maria has both the practical experience and personal pro-life convictions necessary to best represent Illinois' 8th District."
The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund will be contributing the maximum contribution of $5000 to Maria Rodriguez for Congress for use in her primary election campaign. The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, 2010.
Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund endorsements are promoted to the organization's nationwide membership of over 280,000 Americans. The SBA List Candidate Fund endorses pro-life female candidates, as well as pro-life male candidates who run against female candidates in favor of abortion rights. During the 2008 election cycle, the Susan B. Anthony List bundled over $1 million in direct candidate contributions from its members.
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of over 280,000 Americans, residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its nonpartisan connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
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Curran, Waller Endorse Maria
Prominent Law Enforcement Officials Come Out for Maria Rodriguez for Congress
LONG GROVE - Today, Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran and Lake County State's Attorney Mike Waller endorsed Maria Rodriguez's bid to win the Illinois' 8th Congressional District Republican primary on February 2.
Mark Curran, the popular first term sheriff, stated in his endorsement, "I've known Maria Rodriguez for years. She is an effective, capable mayor with strong integrity. When she makes a commitment, she always comes through. Maria Rodriguez has made a commitment to the 8th district to be a strong fiscal conservative focused on protecting our nation and rebuilding our economy. I am happy to join her team."
Mike Waller is the Lake County State's Attorney. In endorsing Maria Rodriguez, Waller stated, "We could use Mayor Rodriguez's high level of integrity in Congress. She will be a strong, honest voice for her constituents and put the people first, not herself."
Curran and Waller join other prominent county and state officials and conservative organizations in backing Maria Rodriguez's candidacy. Her endorsement list includes:
Media
Chicago Sun-Times
Northwest Herald
Area State Legislators
Pam Althoff, State Senator, 32nd District (McHenry)
Dan Duffy, State Senator, 26th District (North, Northwest Suburbs)
Ed Sullivan, State Representative, 51st District (Northwest Suburbs)
JoAnn Osmond, State Representative, 61st District (Far North Suburbs), Assistant Minority Leader
Christine Radogno, State Senate Minority Leader
Bill Peterson, Former State Senator - 26th District (North, Northwest Suburbs)
Al Salvi, Former State Representative
Penny Pullen, Former State Representative
Lake County Elected Officials
Mark Curran, Lake County Sheriff
Mike Waller, Lake County State's Attorney
Brent Paxton, Lake County Board Member
David Stolman, Lake County Board Member
Linda Pedersen, Lake County Board Member
Aaron Lawlor, Lake County Board Member
Pam Newton, former Lake Country Board Member
Mayors
Rod Craig, Mayor of Hanover Park
Arlene Mulder, Mayor of Arlington Heights
Joseph Mancino, Mayor of Hawthorn Woods
Milt Jensen, Mayor of Beach Park
Rhett Taylor, Mayor of Grayslake
Republican Township Committees
Libertyville Township Republican Committee
Schaumburg Township Republican Committee Preferred Candidate
Republican Officials
Dan Venturi,Chairman of Lake County Republican Party
Mike Adelizzi, Chairman of Schaumburg Township Republicans
Dominic Marturano, Chairman of Lake Villa Township Republicans
Thomas W. Gooch, III, Chairman of Cuba Township Republicans and Cuba Township Highway Commissioner
Lucy Prouty, Ela Township Supervisor | Ela Township Committeeman
Daniel McConchie, Ela Township Committeeman
National Organizations
Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC
Eagle Forum of Illinois
Family PAC
Concerned Women for America PAC
Eagle Forum PAC
Republican National Coalition for Life PAC
Susan B. Anthony List
Other Leaders
Kathy Salvi, Attorney & former candidate for 8th Congressional District
Peter Breen, Thomas More Society
Sun-Times endorses Maria to take on Bean
The Chicago Sun-Times endorses Maria Rodriguez to take on Melissa Bean:
Long Grove mayor Rodriguez our pick to take on Bean
The prospect of a good Republican election cycle and votes by Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean for controversial issues like the stimulus and cap-and-trade energy bills have produced half a dozen GOP candidates hoping to recapture this northwest suburban district seat held for 3½ decades by Phil Crane. The candidates mostly share similar views supporting lower taxes and less regulation and strong national security measures while opposing President Obama's health care agenda and cap-and-trade regulation.
This race will be watched by political trend-spotters not just because of any threat to Bean but because it pits a tea-party insurgent against a Republican mayor with support from key GOP politicians....
Our endorsement for the Republican nomination goes to Maria Rodriguez, village president of Long Grove. Re-elected without opposition last year, Rodriguez has presided over revitalization of Long Grove's historic business district and worked on a $30 million development project for the town. She pledges to work to create jobs through reforming the federal tax code, starting with a temporary payroll tax reduction to help small business, supports a balanced budget amendment, and backs charter schools and vouchers.
Rodriguez is the only contestant who has won an election. She has been endorsed by state Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno and several GOP lawmakers and local leaders. Rodriguez is a dynamic and capable mayor whom Republican voters would be wise to select to represent them in their drive to unseat Bean.
Click here to see the original article
PermalinkMaria Rodriguez Releases Endorsement List
LONG GROVE - With less than three weeks to February 2 when Republican voters in the 8th district of Illinois will select their candidate to run against Melissa Bean in the fall, Maria Rodriguez released her full endorsement list.
Pam Althoff, State Senator, 32nd District (McHenry)
Dan Duffy, State Senator, 26th District (North, Northwest Suburbs)
Ed Sullivan, State Representative, 51st District (Northwest Suburbs)
JoAnn Osmond, State Representative, 61st District (Far North Suburbs), Assistant Minority Leader
Christine Radogno, State Senate Minority Leader
Bill Peterson, Former State Senator - 26th District (North, Northwest Suburbs)
Brent Paxton, Lake County Board Member
David Stolman, Lake County Board Member
Linda Pederson, Lake County Board Member
Aaron Lawlor, Lake County Board Member
Pam Newton, Former Lake County Board Member
Rod Craig, Mayor of Hanover Park
Arlene Mulder, Mayor of Arlington Heights
Libertyville Township Republican Committee
Schaumburg Township Republican Committee Preferred Candidate
Dan Venturi,Chairman of Lake County Republican Party
Mike Adelizzi, Chairman of Schaumburg Township Republicans
Dominic Marturano, Chairman of Lake Villa Township Republicans
Lucy Prouty, Ela Township Supervisor | Ela Township Committeeman
Daniel McConchie, Ela Township Committeeman
National Organizations
Illinois Federation for Right to Life PAC
Eagle Forum of Illinois
Concerned Women for America PAC
Eagle Forum PAC
Republican National Coaliton for Life PAC
Other Leaders
Kathy Salvi, Attorney & Former Republican Candidate for 8th Congressional District
Peter Breen, Thomas More Society
Maria Rodriguez signs the Taxpayer Protection Pledge
PRESS RELEASE FROM AMERICANS FOR TAX REFORM
Congressional candidate promises to protect taxpayers’ wallets
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Maria Rodriguez, a Republican running in Illinois’ 8th Congressional district, recently signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). The Pledge commits signers to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”
ATR has offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987. To date, 33 U.S. senators and 172 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed the Pledge. Additionally, seven Governors and over 1,100 state legislators have signed the Pledge.
“After the passage of the so-called 'Stimulus Package', better known as the Pelosi-Obama-Reid Spending Give-Away, Americans are desperately searching for candidates and politicians that will protect their livelihoods and put their wallets ahead of the federal government’s coffers,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR.
“By signing the Pledge, Maria Rodriguez demonstrates that she understands the problems of hard-working taxpayers nationwide, but especially the taxpayers in Illinois’ 8th Congressional district.”
“I challenge all candidates for federal office to make the same commitment to taxpayers by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge today,” Norquist continued.
Click here to see the original release at the Americans for Tax Reform website
PermalinkConcerned Women Political Action Committee Endorses Maria Rodriguez for Congress in Illinois' 8th
WASHINGTON – Concerned Women Political Action Committee (CWPAC) has announced its endorsement of Maria Rodriguez for Congress in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District.
Concerned Women PAC is affiliated with Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization with more than 500,000 grassroots members nationwide.
The 8th District is currently represented by liberal Democrat Congresswoman Melissa Bean. Congresswoman Bean has garnered an anti-family, pro-abortion record in her three terms in Congress. This Congress alone Rep. Bean has only voted with the CWALAC position one time.
Rep. Bean voted against the Stupak Amendment that would have prohibited coverage for abortions by insurance companies in the overall government take over of health care. She also voted in favor of the overall government take over of our health care system.
In addition, she voted in favor of the recent omnibus bill which included an increase of $10 million for Title X funding with the bulk of those taxpayer dollars going to Planned Parenthood. The omnibus bill also gave $103 million to international “family planning” organizations, in effect forcing the American taxpayer to indirectly promote and fund abortions abroad.
“Maria is just the woman to take on Melissa Bean and win,” said Beverly LaHaye, founder and chairman of Concerned Women PAC. “Maria will be a strong pro-life voice in Congress.”
Concerned Women Political Action Committee was started in 2002 to help elect solid pro-family, pro-life conservatives to Congress. Concerned Women PAC sends out a monthly letter to members encouraging them to financially support candidates like Maria Rodriguez. For more information on this race, please contact Mike Mears at 202-408-4941.
PermalinkPhyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum Endorses Maria
L
ONG GROVE, January 4 - Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum has endorsed Maria Rodriguez to be the next U.S. Representative from the 8th district of Illinois.
In response to the news, Maria Rodriguez stated, "I am very pleased to have the backing of Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum in my race to be the next Congresswoman from the 8th district of Illinois. Eagle Forum is a great organization promoting pro-family values both in Congress and in state capitols across the country. Their network of citizen-volunteers helps to ensure our elected officials are held accountable for their votes. I look forward to working together with Eagle Forum as a Member of Congress come next year."
Maria Rodriguez is candidate for Congress in Illinois' 8th district. She is the current mayor of Long Grove, Illinois. Maria and her husband Ray have lived in Lake County for nearly 25 years where they have raised their three children.
To see the list of Eagle Forum endorsed candidates, visit www.eagleforum.org/election/endorse-2010.html
To learn more about Maria, please visit: www.MariaRodriguezForCongress.com.
To see a complete list of Maria's endorsements, visit: www.mariarodriguezforcongress.com/endorsements-a2984
PermalinkMaria Rodriguez Condemns 'Dark of Night' Health Care Vote
LONG GROVE - In the middle of the night, the U.S. Senate voted to limit debate on the health care takeover bill setting up an expected final vote on the bill late Christmas Eve.
In response, Maria Rodriguez, candidate for Congress in Illinois' 8th district, stated, "I categorically reject the artificial deadlines and unnecessary haste that has brought about this dark of night vote to fundamentally restructure one-sixth of the American economy during a holiday week when most Americans are focused on their families.
"Health care reform is necessary, but this is the wrong way to do it. 
Not only must reform be done with complete transparency, it must be done in a way that expands options for the American people, not forces them to lean more on the government.
"We should reject any plan like this one that raises taxes on working Americans, hurts our seniors by cutting payments to hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices, and imposes massive burdens on states they cannot afford.
"The Democrats have violated the trust Americans have placed in them in 2008. It's time for real change, and that will come November 2, 2010 when I go to Washington to represent the 8th district.
Americans for Prosperity Applauds U.S. House Candidate Maria Rodriguez - Signs No Climate Tax Pledge
CHICAGO—The Illinois chapter of the free market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP-IL) today applauded U.S. House candidate Maria Rodriguez (8th District) for signing the group’s “No Climate Tax Pledge.” By doing so, Rodriguez joins over 300 lawmakers and candidates on the federal, state and local levels pledging to “oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.”
“The one thing elected officials should all be able to agree on is that global warming shouldn’t be used as an excuse to hike taxes on citizens and businesses,” said AFP-IL State Director Joe Calomino. “We encourage all of Illinois’ elected officials and candidates for elected office to sign.”
Other Illinois signers include: U.S. Representative and Senate candidate Mark Kirk; U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock; U.S. Senate candidates Patrick Hughes and Eric Wallace; U.S. House candidates David Ratowitz, Isaac Hayes, Joe Walsh, John Dawson, David McAloon and Henry Meers; and State Senator Ira Silverstein.
Cap-and-trade took its first step toward enactment when the U.S. House narrowly passed the Waxman-Markey energy tax bill, which escaped the lower chamber by a scant seven votes despite significant bipartisan opposition. Senators Boxer (D-Calif.) and Kerry (D-Mass.) have begun committee hearings on companion legislation in the Senate. However, key Democratic senators have expressed opposition to attempting to pass cap-and-trade.
President Obama has made no secret of his support for the bill, which would be the largest tax increase in American history. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has scored the House plan as an $846 billion increase in federal revenue, a burden that will be borne by taxpayers and consumers for decades to come.
“Using the guise of climate change to transfer dollars from hard-working citizens to bureaucratic big government is unacceptable,” said Calomino. “Regardless of their stance on global warming, this should be common ground for all of our elected officials at all levels of government.”
The pledge is available online at www.NoClimateTax.com. AFP does not endorse candidates. All elected officials and candidates are encouraged to sign the pledge and go on the record in opposition to using the climate change issue to increase taxes and grow the size of government.
Americans for Prosperity® (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP has more than 900,000 members, including members in all 50 states, and 25 state chapters. More than 55,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial investment in AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
PermalinkLibertyville Township Republican Committee Endorses Maria Rodriguez
LONG GROVE - This weekend, Republicans in Libertyville Township voted to endorse Maria Rodriguez in the 8th district Congressional primary. The winner on February 2 will determine who will take on Melissa Bean next November.
In response to the endorsement, Maria Rodriguez stated, "I am thrilled to have earned the vote of confidence that comes with Libertyville Township's endorsement. Melissa Bean has grown out-of-touch with her constituents. The Township recognized just how important my experience in winning four previous elections is going to be to mount a successful challenge to Melissa Bean next fall. I look forward to not only winning on February 2, but on being the next Congresswoman from the 8th district come November."
Last week Rodriguez received the endorsement of the the Illinois Federation for Right to Life. Several weeks ago, she was one of two candidates to receive the status of Preferred Candidate by the Schaumburg Township Republican Committee.
PermalinkMaria Earns the IFRL Endorsement
LONG GROVE - The Illinois Federation for Right to Life endorsed Maria Rodriguez in her race for Congress in the 8th district of Illinois.
"I am very thankful for the endorsement of my candidacy by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life. I look forward to being the next Congresswoman from the 8th district and bring our pro-life values to Washington, D.C.
"This is an important time in our country. As the country deliberates over whether to dramatically expand of government involvement in health care, Melissa Bean voted for the biggest expansion of federal funding of abortion since Roe v. Wade when she voted against the Stupak/Pitts amendment to limit federal involvement in abortion. The citizens of the 8th district deserve better. They deserve a representative who will defend the voter's rights and never force them to participate in abortions through their tax dollars.
"There are too few voices in Washington standing up for our pro-life values. As Congresswoman, I will stand tall every day and defend the right to life of everyone, including the unborn, the elderly, and disabled, from conception to natural death."
Click here to read the article in Illinois Review
Click here to see all the IFRL-PAC endorsed candidates
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Maria Rodriguez Statement on President's Afghanistan Plan
LONG GROVE - Last night President Obama made a commitment to increase American troop presence in Afghanistan an d declared he would begin removing troops in July 2011.
Regarding this plan, Maria Rodriguez, candidate for Congress in the 8th district of Illinois, stated, "I applaud the President's commitment to increase troop levels in Afghanistan and give our soldiers the resources they desperately need to win this war. However, his declaration that he would draw down troops by a certain date rather than when victory is secured undermines our troops, exhibits weakness to our enemies, and encourages militants to doubt American resolve.
"We know that these militants would like nothing more than for America to abandon the effort to bring freedom and security to this war-torn country. I encourage the President to reject artificial deadlines that endanger American security."
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Rodriguez Calls on Bean to Vote NO on Pelosi's Bill
LONG GROVE - Maria Rodriguez, Republican candidate for Congress in the 8th Congressional District, called on Melissa Bean to vote NO on Nancy Pelosi's flawed health care legislation. Rodriguez also questioned Bean's unwillingness to meet with constituents to discuss this critical issue.
"Here in the 8th District, many voters are concerned that Nancy Pelosi's legislation will do nothing to address the real problems we face with regards to health care. Unfortunately, these concerned citizens do not have a representative who is willing to stand up to Speaker Pelosi. Congresswoman Bean has failed to listen to her constituents otherwise she would know that many people in the 8th District are strongly opposed to this reckless bill," said Rodriguez.
"The Speaker is using her considerable power over House Rules to force passage of this bill. But it is bad legislation that will gut Medicare, increase our already record deficit and raise taxes on hard-working families at a time when our economy continues to sputter along. Melissa Bean must address this by standing up to Pelosi and voting NO on this bill" Rodriguez added.
"I am committed to health care reform, but I believe that any legislation Congress passes must focus on lowering health care premiums for families and small businesses, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, and promoting healthier lifestyles - without adding to the crushing debt Washington has placed on our children and grandchildren", said Rodriguez.
Bean is one of the few members of Congress who has failed to hold a town hall style forum to discuss healthcare. Rodriguez on the other hand, based on the positive feedback from her first town hall meeting in September, will be holding her second meeting tomorrow, Saturday November 7 at Hackney's Restaurant in Lake Zurich from 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.
"At a time when we are witnessing record deficits, growing unemployment and a looming health care crisis, Melissa Bean should be ashamed that she has failed to meet with her constituents to discuss the critical issues of the day. Unlike Congresswoman Bean, I am committed to listening to citizens. I have already held one town hall meeting and look forward to holding another this weekend. Republican, Democrat or unaffiliated, all are welcome to attend and I hope that many will join us," said Rodriguez.
Maria Rodriguez is the current Mayor of Long Grove, IL. She and her husband Ray Rodriguez have lived in Long Grove for nearly 25 years and have raised 3 children there. To learn more about Maria, please visit our website at www.mariarodriguezforcongress.com.
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