A chief executive of a machine shop in Madison has announced she will run for state representative in the 113th House district.
Ashley Hunsaker, 39, of Belleville, will campaign for the seat currently held by veteran lawmaker, Democrat Jay Hoffman, 60, of Swansea.
Hunsaker has operated HTS Coatings LLC, a thermal spray, machining, and grinding company. along with her husband, Jason, since 2015. According to Hunsaker's announcement, the business was named one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.
"We entrust our state government to provide for the public's safety, a growing economy, and good schools for our children, yet our leaders are taking Illinois in the wrong direction with misguided, extreme policies," stated Hunsaker. "As a mother of four and an entrepreneur, I am troubled over rising crime rates, loss of job opportunities, diminishing communities, and governmental policies replacing parental involvement. I am running for state representative to support families and job creators while putting Illinois on a pathway of reform for future generations."
The 113th House district includes portions of Madison and St. Clair counties, stretching from the city of Madison to as far west as Belleville.
Hoffman has served more than 20 years in the House, initially with a couple of stints in the 112th district when he resided in Collinsville. He was defeated in the 112th in 2010 by Republican Dwight Kay. Hoffman later moved into the 113th district, where he was elected to the seat that had been held for a long stretch by Democrat Tom Holbrook, who now serves as St. Clair County's elections chief.
Hoffman's campaign war chest held $1.7 million at the end of 2021 - much of which came from labor union support. An attorney, Hoffman also is aligned with the trial bar, another arm of his financial support.
Before Hunsaker and her husband started HTS Coatings, she oversaw the accounting operations of various companies. Her bio indicates she worked as a controller for Pressline Services, Inc in St. Louis, having previously worked four years as an accountant there. She spent a year as a controller and inventory manager for Joy Tribout, Interior Design, in Belleville, in between her two roles at Pressline Services, Inc. She began her career with World Ford Pensacola in Florida, where she spent a year working as a bookkeeper following the completion of her bachelor of science degree in accounting from Pensacola Christian College.
Married 18 years, she and her husband have four children.