Sen. Candidates Rose, Pliura Face Off in Only Debate

The two candidates vying for the Republican nomination in Illinois' 51st State Senate district faced each other Tuesday in their only debate.

State Rep. Chapin Rose of Mahomet and Tom Pliura of Le Roy debated each other in Bloomington. Rose said his priority is getting Illinois' budget under control. He said his experience as a fifth-term State Representative will help him cut state spending.

"This year and this current budget we actually cut $2.8 billion out of the current budget. Now, the reality is we need to go beyond that," Rose said. "We need to cut more."

Pliura has never run for public office, but if elected, he has said he will serve no more than two terms. He said his own lack of political experience will shake things up in Springfield, unlike his opponent whom he referred to as "another career politician."

"We've got enough politicians down in Springfield," Pliura said. "We need some problem solvers. We can't blame the Democrats when we got to clean up our own house."

Illinois' Republican primary is next Tuesday.