Metro East Sun

Former Downstate Republican Sen. Paul Schimpf has today announced he is running for governor.

Watching the state deteriorate as people leave Illinois due to corruption, high taxes, and excessive government regulation, Schimpf said, is unacceptable and a factor in why he decided to run for governor.

He envisions Illinois to be the strongest state again which would happen through a responsible government ensuring that people are safe, growing its economy through the free market. He quoted former President Ronald Reagan, who said, “we who live in free-market societies believe that growth, prosperity and, ultimately, human fulfillment are created from the bottom up, not the government down.”

Wealthy politicians and corporate executives who run the state for too long can’t empathize with the struggles that Illinois faces, he said.

“A responsible government also recognizes that truth is not afraid of transparency,” Schimpf continued, adding that it should also realize that local experts and not the state bureaucrats are in the best position to assess the safety and education needs of Illinois families.

His pledge when he sits as the governor is to ‘work hard, tell the truth, keep his promises, and work on these with the Illinoisans.’

“I will work with other government leaders and hold myself accountable for doing what is necessary to make sure that our communities are safe again.”