By Eric Stock

COLFAX – A McLean County Board nominee said he hopes to be a voice for agriculture when he joins the board later this year.

Gerald Thompson, a farmer from rural Colfax, defeated Carlock mayor Jeremiah Houston in the Republican primary for a County board seat that covers northern and eastern McLean County. He’s currently unopposed for the general election in November.

Thompson said agriculture has been under-represented on the board in recent years.

“Do I think they were missing something, (any) particular issues that were causing harm?,” Thompson asked. “No, I just think it’s important that there is someone there to, when the wind farms, and solar issues were coming into debate, someone that really understands the new implications that they have.”

Thompson said that doesn’t mean he’ll always side with those who live around him. While some rural residents protested two new wind farms in recent months, Thompson said he’s ok with the wind turbines as long as they meet the county’s rules and regulations. The Twin Groves wind farm comes within about a half-mile of his home.

Thompson ran unsuccessful as a write-in candidate four years ago, but said that campaign showed he was serious about serving. He won Tuesday’s primary with 82 percent of the vote.

“The people, when you get far away from Bloomington, they just feel under represented and under heard. If we can bridge that communication gap, and let people know we’re all here together, that would be one thing I’d like to accomplish,” Thompson said.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].