To the editor:
I have dedicated my life to public service, as an Illinois State Trooper for 27 years, Edwardsville Chief of Police for eight years, as the current City Administrator in Troy, and now as a candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 112th District.
I knew political office would be different from the positions I've held in the past, but I was hopeful that we could run campaigns based on policy differences - keep it clean. Boy, was I wrong. They don't even want me to be allowed on the ballot.
Last Wednesday, Representative Jay Hoffman hijacked a Senate bill designed to help children, gutted the bill in its entirety and instead made it a bill that changes the ballot access rules in the middle of an election cycle. In less than 36 hours from start to finish, the Democrats in the House and the Senate passed a law and the Governor signed it that is intended to keep me off the ballot - and of course, my opponent voted for it. I wish our State Government moved that quickly on issues we actually care about.
But, we beat them at their own game. Luckily, I had a great team of volunteers and we were able to mobilize a petition drive, obtaining about 500 signatures within 24 hours. Those signatures, along with the more than 300 we already had obtained, allowed me to file my petition for candidacy just minutes before the Senate passed this bill, and well ahead of the Governor’s signature.
So even though the supermajority in Springfield tried to stop us, you WILL have a choice in the 112th district this fall.
We beat them this time, but I know this is just the beginning of a long campaign year where they will stop at nothing to win. I don't know why the Democrats are so scared of me running against Katie Stuart, but I do know that I will be working everyday to point out her record and to show the voters of the 112th that I am the common sense option.
I'm Jay Keeven, and I'm running for State Representative because I want to bring common sense back to the 112th District with: Ethical Leadership, Support for our Public Safety Officials and Fiscal Responsibility.
Jay Keeven
IL House Candidate for the 112th District