* Greenfield resident Luke Lamb is one of six finalists to replace retiring state Rep. Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville). Lamb described himself to the Jacksonville Journal-Courier as “your local freedom fighter,” and made five promises if he’s appointed. Among them…
“Any campaign funds left in my war chest when I leave office will be donated to charity or to other candidates who support the statehood of Cook County,” Lamb said.
Um, OK. At least we know where he stands.
* But this promise really caught my eye…
Every vote he takes will be posted on a publicly viewable Facebook page, along with an explanation of why he voted that way.
There are often several dozen votes taken in a single day. I don’t think he’s quite clear on that concept, but I suppose it’s a nice thought.
* Doug Coop appears to be the most mainstream of the candidates profiled in the piece…
Coop has packed a lot of experience into his 34 years - everything from small and corporate business, to agriculture, to military and federal public service.
“I think I am more uniquely qualified because I have had such a different experience working in the Department of Defense with tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said the rural Jacksonville resident. “I’ve also got corporate experience working at Caterpillar in Aurora. I have small business and agricultural experience because of the farm I manage with my dad.” […]
“Personally, I think Representative Watson did an outstanding job over the past 10 years. I also think that there is a bit of responsibility on the part of whomever gets the position to see to it that the people of our district get what they paid for. They elected Representative Watson, so they should get a replacement who is similar in his values and experiences.”
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- western illinois - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:37 am:
And they(the GOP) is wondering why it did so poorly in the suburbs
- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:39 am:
- “Any campaign funds left in my war chest when I leave office will be donated to charity or to other candidates who support the statehood of Cook County” -
Better keep some behind for the charity that will be needed downstate if this ever happens.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:43 am:
I’m going to miss Watson and the voters don’t understand what they are losing. But than again, they love them some government but hate Govt. at the same time. But that won’t be problem when the revenue of Cook County is sucked out of their Tea Bag Loving District, along with the jobs it funds.
- just sayin' - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:45 am:
Luke Lamb (never heard of him) is one of those kooks who want to split up the state? And he’s a “finalist”????
Maybe we should split-off downstate. lol
- TwoFeetThick - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:47 am:
=== “Any campaign funds left in my war chest when I leave office will be donated to charity or to other candidates who support the statehood of Cook County,” Lamb said.===
Please, please, please appoint this guy. It will be pure comic gold.
- bmcosti - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:57 am:
This, posting explanations of each vote to Facebook, is something that libertarian-leaning U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Michigan) does.
- just sayin' - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:58 am:
Those looking for some new blood can go with the 76 yr old guy. wow.
- LincolnLounger - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 9:59 am:
The Mayor of Jacksonville is the obvious choice. Why he isn’t running is beyond me.
- EJ - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 10:20 am:
I went to high school school with Luke. This is awesome! Haven’t seen him in over 16 years, and I’m not surprised by his comments at all. Too funny.
- RFO - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 10:28 am:
Doug seems like the best choice to fill the seat. Republican Party coulde use a little bit mainstream in its politics. He’s a Iraq/Afghanistan vet too.
- BlessThisMess - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 10:30 am:
Seems like this guy is a perfect fit for the new GOP. I can see why Watson abandoned ship. This party not over til the kool-aid quits flowing!
- Decatur Guy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 10:37 am:
Luke “Freedom Fighter” Lamb maybe should of signed up for Marines like Watson. Signed up and served like Watson, not like their Sen Sam ” i didnt make it thru boot camp” McCann. Its easy to say your a freedom fighter, but Watson went to Mideast TWICE. Tea party couch potato.
- shore - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 10:43 am:
Justin Amash, a freshman congressman from michigan does it. I applaud stuff like this, even if he doesn’t do all of the votes, I think it’s good and especially helps with younger voters who use that stuff more. Luke Lamb is also a great name maybe he and billy goat can get together on the daily herald’s old political blog animal farm.
- Madison - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 10:51 am:
Colorful candidates. Gonna be an interesting Primary season in western Illinois 2014. Hope they all paid their taxes.
- reformer - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 10:55 am:
So Luke supports the silly resolution (HJR 52) introduced late last year by Rep. Bill Mitchell to urge the County of Cook to secede. I guess our GOP friends just like secession nowadays, even in the Land of Lincoln.
- Madison - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 11:07 am:
When you guys fly in to see Grover to sign the pledge, leave your weapons at home! We all know how them liberals love to search your bags at the airport.
- Been here before - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 11:22 am:
There are six applicants who interviewed for the seat. Credentials are as follows: http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/local/article_935fcb58-3e8f-11e2-be8f-0019bb30f31a.html
But seriously, just keep focusing your efforts on the one candidate that doesn’t have a chance to win in hope of painting the GOP as a bunch of whackos. Sadly, it really seems to be working…
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 11:41 am:
Example???…..
HB 2104 - voted No, Sponsor said my name wrong!
HB 2554 - voted Yes, who doesn’t like Illinois Farmers and Farm and Fleet.
SB378 - voted No, but me and the sponsor are cool, like Buds even.
SB550 - Tough but voted No. I saw that someone sitting next to me hit “No” so, what the heck.
SJR21 - voted Yes, Pringles should be the state potato chip, although I don’t know why.
HJR18 - voted Yes, sponsored by Speaker Madigan. Do I need another reason to vote Yes?
SB5438- My Bill! Yea! …voted Yes, lost 58-1. Getting closer.
HB2994 - Voted No, got bit by a dog once, Understand?
HB6703 - wanted to vote Yes, voted No, because my “Page for the Day” wanted to see me hit the “Red” button. I changed to a “Yes” later. Hope the Page never finds out, or looks on the Facebook Page, or the Twitter to see what I typed, which I think I am typing too much now explaining this silly story. Geez, sorry, not the Page, the story is silly. Man I hate “The Facebook”!
HJR50 - voted Yes. Ajournment! …Plese stop back for more of my votes!
- DuPage Dave - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 11:43 am:
What do you suppose this means: “working in the Department of Defense with tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan”?? That sentence is clear as mud.
- Joe Bidenopoulous - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 11:54 am:
==Hope they all paid their taxes==
I hope none of ‘em did. That’d be more entertaining.
- Joe Bidenopoulous - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 11:56 am:
BTW, love Jim and losing him is yet another blow to common-sense decency in the GOP caucus. But, understanding the district, I totally understand. It was probably only a matter of time before he was primaried - he’s much too reasonable.
- Liandro - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 12:14 pm:
The Facebook posting of votes was something that should be done more; a couple posters have already mentioned Rep. Amash’s fairly impressive record of doing that in Washington.
During busy periods it takes into recess to catch up, but if you’re that dedicated to transparency, and reporting to your constituents, go for it.
- Liandro - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 12:16 pm:
Grr…grammar. *was=is*
- D.P. Gumby - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 12:26 pm:
We have made running and serving in office so disagreeable that among leading candidates for office are whack-jobs. God help us.
- wordslinger - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 1:15 pm:
Can we get some adult supervision in the Illinois GOP?
Will someone in leadership explain to these hicks that Cook County casts far more GOP votes than any other — and has the potential to cast even more, if there was any kind of organization working it.
If the idea is to win elections, you seek the support of voters, you don’t constantly insult them.
Got that, self-described “freedom fighter?”
- Abu Iskandr - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 1:44 pm:
@DuPage Dave– Maybe it was an awkward way of describing being a Guardsman mobilized for Federal service; or work as a civilian contractor in OEF/OIF.
- paulr331 - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 2:27 pm:
DuPage Dave - Coop deployed as a U.S. Army Captain to Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 2:33 pm:
- Wordslinger -,
Call me, Maybe?
Stop screaming in the wind, you’ll lose your voice. Trust me.
- Been here before - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 2:41 pm:
wordslinger- if you really want to change minds you are better off not starting your argument with name-calling. Could you imagine if everyone categorized every candidate by derogatory slang terms?
Leadership has to work with these “hicks” because these “hicks” have the right to vote and be represented like the rest of us. And furthermore, the candidate you are discussing for the seat in the 97th district has a snowballs chance in hell of winning.
We aren’t all “hicks” down here and not all “hicks” are stupid. These generalizations just spread the divide between parties and the state.
Hick (noun): unsophisticated provincial person
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 2:50 pm:
- Been Here Before -,
So, do you agree with the idea of separation from Cook? I am interested in your opinion since you felt the necessity to try to teach - Wordslinger - about the ILGOP & working together and all.
- Madison - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 3:08 pm:
Been here-these candidates are off the leash. Many either don’t understand economics, or the realities of governing. Yes they have the RIGHT to govern, but they also need to realize that with that right come responsibilities. Until GOP candidates all understand that, the party is in deep trouble. The freedom fighter types only amplify the exodus from your party.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 3:11 pm:
Here, here, - Madison -, well said. No one hears us, but well said!
- Madison - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 3:27 pm:
Well they just don’t get it…not because they lack the ability, but they lack the will to do so.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 3:39 pm:
But they are Right, we are Wrong,&we ALL lose as a Party. That sums it up, no?
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 4:16 pm:
That sums it up, Willy. They are Right.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 4:23 pm:
Knew you would catch that, - AA - …
- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 4:41 pm:
- But they are Right, we are Wrong -
My grandmother lives in Jacksonville. She believes Cook County takes money from Jacksonville to pay for people on welfare.
Though she doesn’t always refer to them as “people on welfare”…
She tells me I’m misinformed if I say otherwise.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 4:51 pm:
- STL -,
Though the true Math shows all regions need each other, when the ILGOP finally catches on to that, then add the Reagan 80% Rule, then we as a Party will be relevant, and have “Freedom Fighters” fighting to keep the ILGOP irrelevant.
That would be fun….
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 4:53 pm:
” and NOT”….freedom fighters keeping, etc.
Sorry
- walkinfool - Friday, Dec 7, 12 @ 7:47 pm:
Watson’s a real loss to the House. His name came to mind when thinking about alternatives to Cross as Leader - Oh Well, another good one moving on.
Most self-promoting “Freedom Fighters” have a touch of military wannabe in them.