Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson thinks it's paramount that Republican voters not lose focus about the Gov. Bruce Rauner vs. Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) primary contest.

“We’ve got to win the governorship and make sure we take out (House Speaker Mike) Madigan at the same time,” Jameson told the Metro East Sun. “I think Rauner is the only one that can beat (Democrat J.B.) Pritzker. That means for right now, Jeanne Ives would not be the best candidate the Republican Party can have.”

Jameson said he isn’t bothered by the Telegraph reporting with less than two months remaining before the GOP primary that Rauner is still refusing to debate Ives.

“Everyone I talk to in my district already has their mind made up,” he said. “I think Jeanne Ives started too late and just doesn’t have the resources and the infrastructure in place to do what we need to do to take out Madigan.”

Jameson, the Belleville Republican running for the seat held by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District, makes the argument that his opponent is joined at the hip with the longtime House speaker.

“Jay Hoffman is part of the leadership team and the majority of voters in this area are past being tolerant of Madigan,” he said. “People are leaving the state in droves and the spiraling property taxes and all the other taxes put in place by the Madigan machine are the reasons why. He’s now been through multiple governors from both parties. It’s clear he’s the problem.”

 As for his own campaign, Jameson said he’s still busy crisscrossing the state speaking with voters, including recently visiting the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy where several people have died of Legionnaires’ disease.

“I’m talking about the issues people are concerned about,” Jameson said. “Along with crisis like this one, property taxes and the budget are at the top of people’s list. Those are the issues that have people wanting to leave Illinois.” 

The 113th House District includes all or parts of Belleville, Swansea, Fairview Heights, Washington Park, Fairmont City, Caseyville, Madison and Granite City.