Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson sees Democrats aligning to re-elect House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) as chairman of the state Democratic Party as an affront to the will of the people.

“It shows how out of touch they are with voters across Illinois,” Jameson told the Metro East Sun. “Madigan represents a direction most people in Illinois have long indicated they don’t want to go.”

In re-electing the 76-year-old Madigan as party chairman, lawmakers secured his spot as the longest-tenured Democratic chairman in state history, though the process was not without controversy.

Madigan’s tenure continues to be dogged by a sexual harassment and abuse scandal that has plagued his office, leading to the ouster of two of his campaign associates and triggering cries for him to step down over his handling of the situation.

And then there is his still running feud with Gov. Bruce Rauner over each man’s differing policies and philosophies for the state.

“It makes races like mine that much more important,” Jameson, a Belleville Republican challenging Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District, said. “We need Republican voters to come out so we can grab a majority and put ourselves in the position of being able to elect a speaker other than Mike Madigan.”

Jameson said GOP supporters also have to be prepared to do everything it takes to make sure that Madigan and Democratic gubernatorial challenger J.B. Pritzker are never entrusted with the job of being the state’s two most powerful policy brokers.

“Madigan’s a proponent for Pritzker’s tax and spend policies,” he said. “He’s already backing his call for a progressive tax. If he’s already stepping up for Pritzker’s ideas, just imagine the ‘yes man’ he would be if he were ever elected.”

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