D-Day seemed the perfect time for Doug Jameson, St. Clair County Republican chairman, to announce his run for state representative.
“In the military, the only times we apply force is when the norms of society have been transgressed,” he said. “As a government, we've reached that point, and now we need to restore balance and order to the way we do things.”
Jameson, who announced at a rally on Tuesday, is running on a platform of lower property taxes, workers' compensation reform and more business-friendly policies.
Doug Jameson
“The tax burden in Illinois has become too much to deal with,” the retired Army vet told the Metro East Sun. “Democrats keep stalemating the process, so there’s no change coming out of Springfield. That was the final nail in the coffin for me in terms of getting in and trying to do something.”
Jameson is convinced the only way that can come about is with new leadership in Springfield.
“We need to unseat Speaker (Mike) Madigan and those who keep helping him get elected,” he said.
Jameson also believes his discipline as a military man and career in public service make him a natural for the job he’s now seeking.
“Every day, I see how this economic climate and all the over-regulation is driving away families, job producers, job creators and taxpayers,” Jameson, who also has worked in real estate, said. “I’ve seen all the ‘for sale’ and ‘going out of business’ signs in front of properties. Government should be in the business of helping people.”
Jameson also laments how recent Census Bureau data reveal Illinois lost more residents in 2016 than any other state.
“As people move away, schools are dismissing teachers -- not for the summer but for good -- because of declining populations,” he said. “People are voting with their feet by leaving Illinois and going to other places, going to other states. The house is ready to collapse under its own weight.”
Jameson said his message has been well-received.
“This isn’t about partisan politics,” he said. “This is about family budgets and the concerns of homeowners. This is about helping to save the people of Illinois.”