By Eric Stock
EDWARDSVILLE – The field of candidates seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, next year has grown to four.
Democrat Erik Jones of Edwardsville, a former Illinois Assistant Attorney General, has launched a campaign for Illinois’ 13th Congressional district. Jones said he’s frustrated with Davis and other politicians who – he said – give lip service, but refuse to do something about the problems everyday people are facing. He’s working now as an attorney in private practice.
“Illinois needs to send bulldogs, not backslappers, to Congress to confront our challenges,” Jones said in a Facebook video. “We’ve grown too comfortable with low expectations of our leaders. It’s time we raise the bar, and that starts with changing who we send to Washington.
“I’m running for Congress because our best days can still be ahead of us if we stand up and fight for them. And, when it comes to speaking up for underdogs and fighting for everyday people, I’ll put my record up against anyone’s.”
Former Democratic party operative Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, emergency room doctor David Gill of Bloomington and University High School teacher Benjamin Webb have already declared their candidacies for the Democratic nomination.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
