Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser announced his campaign Monday for Madison County Board Chairman, saying there is a need for leadership in economic development and collaboration with board members and community leaders.
“We need to start the engine of economic development in Madison County,” Slusser said. “We are primed and ready for a boom, but we need solid leadership in county government to help put the pieces together. That is why I’m running for chairman.”
Slusser currently serves as Madison County Treasurer, after being appointed to fill the vacancy in December 2016 and then being elected to the seat in 2018 and 2022.
“I see so much opportunity to expand the private sector, broaden our tax base, and ultimately reduce the tax bill for local taxpayers, if we have steady and competent leadership in the Chairman’s office,” said Slusser. “As a former County Board member, I know the effort those men and women on the County Board expend and cannot wait to work with them in a respectful, collaborative, and transparent manner.”
“Madison County’s potential is unlimited, but development opportunities are dying on the vine while our current Chairman plays political games, mostly against members of our own party,” he added. “Enough is enough. I’m stepping forward because we need serious leadership in our county government and a focus on economic development. I will work collaboratively to unlock the potential of our river towns and excellent skilled workforce and recruit St. Louis business besieged by high crime. The economic turnaround of our county starts now.”
Slusser previously served as Madison County Republican Party Chairman. He was also elected to the Madison County Board, serving District 15 from 2008 to 2012. He was elected again to the seat in 2016 but was then appointed to treasurer, where he has served for seven years.
As treasurer, Slusser said he managed the top-performing county investment portfolio in the state, earning more than $30 million in returns on investments, which helped reduce the county’s reliance on property taxes to fund basic government services.
Slusser and his wife, Megan, live in Wood River with their two daughters. He is a graduate of Roxana High School, Lewis & Clark Community College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Slusser has financial professional experience, including work as an investment advisor, Chief Financial Officer for ROI Realty Partners, and as Vice President of RLP Development Company.
He also serves as trustee for the Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services Board, a volunteer at First Baptist Church in Bethalto, and a trustee on the Illinois Metropolitan Investment Board, which is a local government investment pool that handles over $900 million in assets.