Hinsdale-Area Rep Says 'Trump Loves America' in 2016 Post

HINSDALE, IL — Republican state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, whose district includes all or parts of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Western Springs, passed up an opportunity during a Patch interview last week to say who she would vote for in the presidential election.

A look at her official Facebook pages these days shows she is focused on holding longtime Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan to account, especially in light of his links to the ComEd bribery scandal.

Madigan, who controls the party's money for House Democratic candidates, is considered politically toxic for many of them. Mazzochi's opponent, Jennifer Zordani of Clarendon Hills, has declined to say whether she would vote for Madigan as speaker.

President Donald Trump presents similar problems for Republicans in the suburbs, which are becoming more Democratic. This may explain Mazzochi's reluctance to weigh in on the presidential race.

However, when Trump ran in 2016, Mazzochi wrote a number of posts supporting the billionaire candidate.

In one them, she wrote to explain why Trump was succeeding: "For the majority of Americans who love America, we have seen decades of 'giving it away' to those who don't love America, by those who want to keep power in America. Say whatever you want about the candidates, but their histories show Trump loves America, Hillary loves power."

In another post, she said, "Why the productive class will vote Trump: because even the TSA-prechecked, executive platinum status travelers have to spend an hour in the security line at O'Hare muttering, 'keep them out'/'build a wall'/'stupid government.'"

Mazzochi even referred to Trump's theory about the "deep state."

"If you favor liberty then the President should be a white, male Republican. Because only then will the Deep State and the Media keep him in check," she wrote.

Asked about Mazzochi and Trump, Zordani said in an email that people's votes are their own and private, "but I am proud to support Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for President."

Mazzochi's campaign could not be reached for comment.