Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson sees Rep. Scott Drury’s (D-Highwood) willingness to stand up to Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) as the latest sign that the longtime House Speaker’s assault on Springfield may be finally nearing an end.

“Drury’s stance represents an admission that he knows there needs to be an end to Madigan,” Jameson told the Metro East Sun. “All across my district, the voters agree with him. They want all the out-migration in the area to stop and just for Madigan to go away.”

In the case of Drury and Madigan, the two Democrats have waged a back and forth battle ever since Drury didn’t vote to re-elect Madigan as speaker. Drury, a former federal prosecutor, is now running for attorney general, and Madigan has been far from a supporter, culminating in a union that Illinois News Network reported has ties to Madigan working to attempt to have Drury knocked off the ballot. 

Doug Jameson

“One of the distinguishing characteristics between Democrats and Republicans is there is more free will among us while they tend to be much more autocratic,” said Jameson, a Belleville Republican running for the seat held by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District. "To them, power means everything and they aren’t about to change that. The only way things will change in Springfield is for voters to make it happen.”

Jameson said he could see that happening this election season in the form of Republicans picking up enough seats to oust Madigan as speaker.

“It could happen, especially if we have enough Democrats courageous enough to admit it ... the way Scott Drury has," Jameson said. 

As for his own campaign, Jameson said he is busy interacting with voters in ways he never has before.

“I’ve been working in cafes across the district pouring coffee and talking with plenty of people,” he said. “As a professional real estate broker, I decided to get in the race after talking to people across the kitchen table and learning how bad things really are for many of them. This endeavor has given me a chance to speak with even more of them and for them to learn what I’m really all about.”

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