Metro East Sun

Ben Stratemeyer of Centralia has no doubt that what he always excelled at in business will easily translate into the world of politics.

“I am a certified public accountant with an MBA, specialized in finance,” Stratemeyer told the Metro East Sun of his run in the 54th Senate District Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon).

“My work experience includes small business as well as corporate environments,” he said. “I worked for a Fortune 30 company as a financial analyst and learned the budgetary and fiscal discipline of a large organization.”

Ben Stratemeyer

Stratemeyer also points to his time as a part-time finance director for the city of Salem as added preparation for any challenges he might face in the 54th District.

“I understand what businesses are looking for along the lines of business regulation and workforce development,” he said. “The 54th State Senate District is generally a rural, agricultural-based district, and I come from a southern Illinois centennial farm family."

Stratemeyer, who lists Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Ronald Reagan as his political heroes, said he is running on a platform of creating a better business climate, an anti-abortion agenda and protection of Second Amendment rights.

"The Illinois business climate is a mess,” he said. “As a small businessman, I have invested in southern Illinois and I am committed to southern Illinois. I am 100 percent pro-life and a Second Amendment advocate as a member of the NRA and the Illinois Rifle Association."

Stratemeyer said he believes the state is hurting itself with all its excessive regulations.

"As a CPA, I believe Illinois' business regulation and compliance environment costs the state too much money and does not provide any real benefit to its citizens,” he said. “Our party and our state must enact significant business reforms in order to attract business to our state again. I would like to see more of a level playing field among all businesses seeking to locate or grow in Illinois.”

Illinois Senate District 54 includes parts or all of Bond, Clinton, Marion, Fayette, Madison and Effingham counties.