Metro East Sun

All Republican county wide elected officials have endorsed Chris Slusser for Chairman, a race that will effectively be decided in the March 19 primary election.

State's Attorney Tom Haine, Sheriff Jeff Connor, Circuit Clerk Thomas McRae, Auditor David Michael, County Clerk Linda Andreas and Regional Superintendent of Schools Robert Werden issued a statement announcing their support on Wednesday:

“Slusser is clearly the best choice for Board Chairman,” said the GOP leaders. “We have worked with Chris closely over the years, and know him personally. He is a fighter for lower taxes and public safety. He is organized, ethical, and respectful, while also being a true bulldog for conservative values. We will be voting for Chris Slusser for Chairman on March 19th, and encourage all our friends and supporters to do likewise. The future is bright for our Republican Party and our county with Slusser serving as Chairman.” 

According to a press release from Slusser, the unified endorsement is historic, underscoring widespread support for his vision for the county - focusing on cutting property taxes, fighting crime, restoring ethical leadership, and spurring economic development. 

Haine highlighted Slusser’s dedication to public safety and his integrity, stating, "Chris Slusser is a man of integrity, a family man, and understands the importance of public safety in our community. His experience and commitment to put public safety first make him the ideal candidate to lead Madison County forward."

Echoing Haine’s sentiments, Michael praised Slusser’s fiscal conservatism, emphasizing his ability to work collaboratively to eliminate wasteful spending and keep property taxes low. 

"Chris is a staunch fiscal conservative who will ensure efficient use of county resources and maintain low property taxes," he said.

Slusser expressed gratitude for the endorsements.

"I am honored to receive the support of my fellow Republican elected officials," Slusser said. "Together, we share a commitment to making Madison County a better place by focusing on critical issues like tax reduction, ethical governance, and economic growth. This endorsement is not just about me; it's about our shared vision for a prosperous, safe, and accountable Madison County."

The Slusser press release states that the unified endorsement highlights the fact that not a single other GOP county-wide elected official has endorsed incumbent Kurt Prenzler for re-election. 

“Those who work with Kurt on a daily basis - and have also been elected by Madison County Republicans and citizens at large - can personally attest that Prenzler’s terrible hiring decisions (resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars of costly lawsuits and settlements, paid for by taxpayers), integrity issues, and ethical lapses have made it impossible for our Republican party or our county to unite around a conservative policy agenda of fiscal responsibility, family values, and safer streets,” the six GOP county-wide officials said in a joint statement. “We need a new conservative Republican leader for county government. Chris Slusser is the man for the job.” 

Slusser currently serves as Madison County Treasurer.