Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson insists there is no gray area about the way Mike Madigan operates and how the longtime Democratic House Speaker invests in Democratic candidates.

“Anytime he gives the amounts of money to a candidate that he’s known for, he’s buying votes for his re-election as House Speaker and it’s really that simple,” Jameson told the Metro East Sun. “It’s bribe money to stay in power. Why else would anyone be spending these crazy amounts of money?”

Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) recently reported that Madigan has dished out approximately $15 million to roughly 60 candidates with each of the legislators also supporting Madigan as House speaker.

Rep. Jay Hoffman

Running against Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th House District, Jameson argues there’s no way any politician can maintain their independence when they are beholden to another person.

“They’re all bought and paid for and he’s like a slave master to all of them,” he said. “This is just more evidence for my claim of Democrats like Hoffman owing their loyalty to him over their own constituents."

IPI reports Hoffman has taken more than $408,000 from Madigan and has cast at least nine votes for Madigan as Speaker of the House.  

Madigan reigns as the longest-serving House Speaker in history and also serves as chairman of various campaign committees, which provides him access to cash and resources, IPI states.

“I’m running because in the midst of all this the people of the 113th District are not being adequately represented,” Jameson said.  

Overall, Jameson said there is now too much money in politics, and both Madigan and Hoffman stand as symbols of it.

“You look at my opponent, all his money comes from Madigan, trial lawyers and Chicago unions,” he said. “He feels like he doesn’t have to do anything for the people of the district and can still have what he needs to keep getting re-elected. All the people of the district are left to take a back seat.”

The 113th House District includes Madison and St. Clair counties.