The Effingham
County Democrats held what hopes to be their annual soup supper on Saturday
evening, February 22 at the Effingham American Legion. With a large turnout of Effingham County
Democrats along with many of our friends from neighboring counties such as
Shelby and Jasper Counties, it was an evening to restate the values that all
Democrats hold in common.
Those who attended
were able to meet and talk with Effingham County Board candidate Doug McCain
and Effingham County Treasurer Candidate Steve Dasenbrock. Retired Judge Jim Harvey gave a rousing
speech that reiterated what Democrats do stand for and what
Republicans don't stand for.
He was followed by
Circuit Judge Candidate Ericka Sanders who discussed her reasons for wanting to
run for the position. She currently
holds the position of Associate Judge and wished to continue many of the
proactive programs that are occurring here in our own county.
Dr. Josh Berger,
state representative candidate for the 107th district followed. Explain his reasons for running. Dr. Berger, a chiropractor who practices in
Centralia discussed how the actions or inaction in Springfield is impacting his
hometown and southern Illinois. He
stated that he wants to be the person in Springfield who works on behalf of
southern Illinois, and not merely the one who falls in line with his party
leaders, unlike his opponent.
Eric Thorsland,
candidate for U.S. Representative for the 15th District in Illinois, spoke of
his desire to break the continuous run of his opponent's reelection to the U.S.
House. He reminded those present that
Mr. Shimkus, when elected the first time, stated he would only serve two
terms. If Mr. Shimkus would be
successful, this would be his tenth consecutive term. Ironically, many statewide candidates of the
same party of Mr. Shimkus are calling for term limits. Mr. Thorsland spoke of his upbringing and how
his father was a victim of President Reagan's union breaking action of firing
of the air traffic controllers in the early 1980s. Mr. Thorsland vowed to work for his district
rather than being the representative who didn't rock the boat in order to
ensure his own reelection.
Finally the
evening ended with special guest, current Illinois Lieutenant Governor, and
current candidate for Illinois Comptroller, Sheila Simon. Ms. Simon mentioned
her upbringing and the values that her father, the late Senator Paul Simon, had
instilled in her regarding holding elected office. She discussed how important it was as a
politician to be honest, hardworking, and to have transparency has a candidate
and in the office that is being held.
She remarked how she was working diligently with Illinois State Senator
Andy Manar(D)Bunker Hill in reevaluating how school funding works in the state
of Illinois. This would have a profound
positive impact on schools in Effingham County and other surrounding
counties. Ms. Simon also discussed how
she wishes move the Illinois Comptroller's office from the capacity of an
accounting agency for government to a resource for all local government
entities to use to evaluate how they are spending tax dollars and where the
could be more wisely invested and managed.
As the evening
closed, all of the candidates and speakers remained to meet with all those in
attendance. The Effingham County
Democrats will be planning numerous other events throughout the year to
continue to draw attention to the issues that concern southern Illinois and the
candidates who will speak on behalf on the constituents of southern Illinois.
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