SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — While many voters are focused on the presidential candidates, there is a very intense race for the Illinois 104th House district covering parts of Champaign and Vermillion counties. WAND News spoke with Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) and Democrat Jarrett Clem this week to learn about their goals for constituents.
Schweizer is technically an incumbent, but he has been in office a little less than a year. The Republican was appointed to the seat after former Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) retired.
"Having to go through the election process is completely different," Schweizer said. "It's going out there and knocking on doors, talking to thousands of people about what is important to the area and how I would best represent them in Springfield to be able to bring that change."
The retired Marine Corps master sergeant is dedicated to ensuring veterans get the support they deserve. Schweizer blasted Illinois House Democrats this spring for providing more funding for migrant services in Chicago than veterans affairs. He told WAND News Tuesday that migrants shouldn't be blamed for the issue because Illinois did not put enough pressure on the federal government to take care of the people they brought into the country.
"$250 million went to the veterans affairs in Illinois when you have almost $1 billion going to house and feed these migrants," Schweizer said. "To me, that's just not necessarily prioritizing the people of this state."
Jarrett Clem is also a newcomer to state politics, although he has served on the Parkland College board. Clem said his good friend, the late Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), inspired him to be a leader.
"Scott worked with everybody, and I think that's my approach," Clem said. "Whether you're a Democrat or Republican or independent or in the middle, we need to do what's best for the people of the district and not one party."
Clem is the business manager of IBEW Local 601 in Champaign. The Democrat said he is committed to increasing opportunities for young people to get hands-on training. Clem noted the state needs more programs allowing people to get into the workforce without spending large amounts of money on higher education.
He is also pushing for the state to bring jobs back to the district after Quaker Oats closed the Danville factory.
"We need to bring a place where someone can work their entire life with a pension, health insurance and a wage that they can raise a family on," Clem said. "More than that, there needs to be affordable housing for people. There needs to be affordable accessible childcare. That's all part of the infrastructure of bringing new industry to this area."
Both candidates said local voters are most concerned about the economy. Schweizer said many families can't afford to go to the movie theater or go out for dinner.
"That type of fun spontaneous activity with families is kind of what a lot of folks are saying is missing these days," Schweizer said. "Having to worry about putting food on the table and buying clothes for their kids, that type of stuff is number one on people's minds."
Schweizer argued Illinois should eliminate some of the less effective programs and reprioritize funding to alleviate taxes. Clem is in favor of cutting down on state government spending to help lower the burden on families.
"But, we need to make an investment in education and our pensions," Clem said. "Our property taxes are the biggest expense for a lot of homeowners."
However, a new attack ad has taken center stage in this race with less than two weeks left before election day. Clem's campaign said Schweizer is funded by wealthy extremists who financed the rally that led to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.
"If you want to attack me for how I voted on certain things, that's fine," Schweizer said. "But you're attacking me personally and from what I view as my loyalty to this country. It's 100% unacceptable, and I personally feel that he needs to take that down and apologize for it."
Clem told WAND News that he is keeping this ad on the air because his opponent received funds from Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland), who attended the January 6 rally, and Duck Uihlein, a GOP megadonor.
The Republican and Democrat also disagree on reproductive healthcare, a major factor in the 2024 election.
"It's not our job to make these decisions for women," Clem stressed. "That's between a female and her doctor. For me, we need to take a step back and leave those decisions to the people that it's really effecting."
Still, Schweizer said he has only been asked about his stance on abortion three times while knocking on nearly 30,000 doors.
"I've never shied away from it. I believe in pro life with exceptions," Schweizer said. "That's what I am. If that makes me an extremist and that I hate women, then that's what people are going to believe. But, that's not who I am as a person."
Schweizer and Clem said they hope to earn votes from Trump and Harris supporters. They believe it is more important to vote for the best person to improve the district than focus on party politics.
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