This year, Illinois voters are going to have three options when they cast their ballot for governor: incumbent Democrat J.B. Pritzker, Republican challenger Darren Bailey, and an independent candidate by the name of Collin Corbett.
Until a few months ago, Corbett was a Republican political consultant. He also hosted an Illinois politics podcast called “Smoke-Filled Room.” But he left all that behind to mount a campaign for governor.
Corbett has acknowledged his campaign is a long shot, but it raises a number of interesting questions: What do voters mean when they declare themselves to be independent? Why hasn’t an “independent majority” made itself better known in our political system? And where does real change actually happen in American politics?
He joined the 21st Show last week to discuss the origins of his political beliefs and moving away from the traditional two-party system. Both Pritzker and Bailey joined the program in August.
Interview Highlights
On challenging the two-party system
“It doesn’t have to be red or blue. It doesn’t have to be Republican or Democrat. And if we can do that — I’m not saying we’re going to go elect independents in every seat. Frankly, this has been a two-party country for a very long time, and I respect that fact. But if we can get the two parties to recognize that if they don’t stop this destructive path that they’re on chasing the two extremes and force them to come back to the middle, then maybe independents, maybe a third party could dwarf them in the political process.”
On independent voters in the U.S.
“Gallup did a study — they do it every year — where they identify how many people are independent versus how many self-identify as Republican or Democrat. And as of the end of last year, it was 45% in America were independent, only 27% Democrat, 27% Republican. CNN did their own study just a few months ago. They found that it was 47% independent. This number has been growing since 2008. It’s primarily driven by Gen Z, millennial, and Gen X — especially Gen Z and millennial. I’m a millennial, so I’m sure it’s no surprise then that I feel the same pull that many of the people in my generation do, where we’re pulling away from the two parties. “
On lowering property taxes
“We’re going to put in place an accountability system for your tax dollars that makes sure we know exactly where our tax dollars are going. Where they’re being spent wisely, great, let’s keep going. Where they’re not meeting their desired goals, let’s either reform those programs or reduce — especially COVID programs that were supposed to end anyway post-pandemic.
When we do that, we’re going to freeze discretionary spending. We’ve got bonds rolling off in 2030 and 2033. There are opportunities here as we grow as a state where all of that realized additional revenue goes in those three places, and then we tie it to a program that rewards local governments for lowering property taxes when they get more of our state tax dollars. This is how you do it. It’s going to take a decade. It’s in the weeds as we’re talking here, but this is the only way you can lower property taxes.”
On questions about Iran War
“We’re talking about gas prices and the need to lower gas prices, and the Iran war is a big driver of higher gas prices. And I bemoan the fact that I have no idea where we are in Iran. One side says that they’re just a smolder, a pile of rubble that’s smoldering. And the other side says this war has done nothing and it’s exactly how it was before, and there are no sources to just get the facts.
I just want to know what has actually happened over there. Have we reduced their nuclear capacity, their ability to produce a bomb — which all of us want to see, no one wants a nuclear Iran? I don’t know. We can’t get the facts. And I think so many people are frustrated. Yeah, you can go to your MSNBC or your Fox News and get your spin, but I want the data. I want the facts.”