Chambana Sun

Captioning a snapshot about Illinois’ neighboring state Indiana, Republican state Senate candidate for District 52 – Champaign Mike Madigan (not to be confused with Speaker of the House Mike Madigan) recently commented on election matters via Facebook.

“Billboard on I-57 south of I-80,” said the Urbana alderman and contender for a Senate seat in November’s election alongside a photograph showing a large sign glimpsed on the road in Illinois. “So they actually have a balanced budget with enough left over to cross the state line and advertise it.”

The ad, displayed in conjunction with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, featured the motto, “A State That Works” under a large banner headline reading, “Indiana/Balanced State Budget.” Billboards are displayed in Kentucky and Ohio as well as Illinois—all adjoining Indiana—reminding constituents that Indiana has enjoyed a balanced budget since 2007.

“It includes positive messaging about Indian’s pro-growth climate, such as our triple-A bond rating, declining corporate taxes and balanced state budget,” said Abby Gras, IEDC’s director of communications, who added that “it’s nothing personal, just good honest touting of the fiscal benefits of living in Indiana.”

“Like, share my page with your friends and get out the VOTE,” Madigan said, adding the hashtags  #ReformIllinoisNow#TakeBackOurState.

With skillful marketing, candidate Madigan has managed to turn around what might have originally appeared as confusing — having the same name as the current Speaker of the House — by playing off the coincidence overtly. Throughout his campaign, Madigan has referred to himself as “The Other Mike Madigan,” from publicity materials to his Facebook page, to highlight the distinction.