National Rifle Association endorses Will County area state candidates

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund has endorsed two Will County area candidates running for the Illinois House of Representatives.

The NRA-PVF is nonpartisan in issuing its candidates grades and endorsements, according to the organization's website. The NRA-PVF bases its decisions on the candidates' records on Second Amendment-related issues.

The NRA backed Republican Tim Ozinga, who is running in Illinois House District 37 and State Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, for reelection to his seat in House District 97.

On top of Ozinga's endorsement, the NRA also rated him as an "AQ" candidate, meaning the organization considers him a "pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate's responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on the Second Amendment."

"The right to keep and bear arms are enshrined in the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and in Section 22 of the Bill of Rights of the Illinois Constitution," Ozinga said on his campaign Facebook page. "I will defend our constitutional rights for everyone in the 37th District!"

The sitting representative in District 37, Republican Margo McDermed, is not running for reelection to the seat.

Batinick earned an "A" rating from the NRA, which the organization said means it considers him a "solidly pro-gun candidate." He is running for his fourth term in the General Assembly.

The general election is Nov. 3, although early voting has already begun in Illinois.