Noticed all those political signs at street corners and vacant lots? It’s hard to tell what they’re for, especially since so many are in the wrong district.
There sure are a lot of them though. Funny thing is, that’s all they are. Take Mark Clauss for example. Who is he? We know he’s an accountant at State Farm, that he likes to have his signs right next to T*ump signs, and that he’s got a lot of them.
But what does he really stand for?
What little information that is out there contains generic Republican platitudes that offer no substance and echo the extremist rantings of the current member he seeks to replace. Mr. Clauss seems to be centering his campaign against the idea of raising taxes. Cool! Good thing this year’s budget is poised to lower property taxes. When pressed on what he would cut, he said it was more of a “mindset.” I’m sure that mindset is comforting to the nurses, deputies, and other professionals who work for McLean County and are paid by those monies you just advocated cutting.
Mr. Clauss was recently asked about his position on eliminating the County Auditor position, a move supported recently by a UNANIMOUS County Board vote as it would eliminate waste, increase efficiency, and improve accountability by making the auditor a hired staff position. Anyone who claims their top priority is fiscal management should unequivocally support eliminating the elected auditor position. Mark Clauss has apparently done little to no research on the topic and hasn't consulted any current county board members on the issue. How is this “common sense decision making?”
On his website Mr. Clauss cites “community safety” as a priority. Chuck Erickson, whose seat you seek to occupy, used language like this when he wrote his racist resolution attempting to restrict funding for migrants and asylum seekers earlier this year. Do you support the national Republican talking points that blame migrants for non-existent crime waves? How would you have voted on that resolution, Mr. Clauss?
Fortunately, we’ve got an alternative. Erica Larkin is a community oriented parent and advocate for children and families. Like Mr. Clauss, Erica’s background is also in finance at State Farm but she also has the added experience of working with several support agencies, non-profits, and schools. She’s out there knocking on doors, showing up to meetings, engaging with her community, and DOING THE WORK. You might not see huge signs and billboards on every vacant lot and street corner paid for by out-of-state MAGA pols with Erica’s name on it, but you’ll see Erica. She’ll be out advocating for our community’s families and schools, showing up to government meetings, and supporting causes she believes in that benefit McLean County.
But at least Mark Clauss puts up a lot of signs.
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