* Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) had been one of just two three out of 15 House Republicans who either retired or attracted a primary opponent after voting for the income tax hike. Hammond got a primary opponent today. Two guesses who’s backing him…

Joshua L. Griffith has announced his Republican candidacy for State Representative of the 93rd House District pledging to oppose the political classes’ tax hikes.

Born and raised in Knox County, Joshua Griffith joined the Army at 17 and served for 11 years before retiring as a Sergeant First Class and returning home.

“Illinois has the highest taxes in the nation and the politicians only plan is force us to pay more,” said Griffith. “Families are fleeing Illinois because they can’t afford to stay. We need a State Representative who will stand up for our interests, not do the bidding of Mike Madigan and the Chicago Democrats.”

Griffith is running to replace incumbent Norine Hammond, who was hand picked to join the General Assembly and appointed to the seat in 2010.

After seven years in office, and another decade as legislative aide, Hammond is most famous for joining with Mike Madigan and Chicago Democrats to pass a 32% income tax hike earlier this year.

Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) is the last one standing, in case you were wondering. ADDING: Rep. Charles Meier also doesn’t have an opponent.

*** UPDATE ***  We’re back to just one…

Donald Moore, a retired U. S. Marine and current Madison County Board member, today announced his campaign for State Representative in the 108th district to strengthen conservative leadership and conservative convictions in Springfield.

Moore is running to provide voters with a principled and fiscally conservative alternative to incumbent Representative Charlie Meier. Moore said Meier, a registered Republican, joined the ranks of Speaker Mike Madigan and Chicago Democrats to pass a 32 percent income tax hike built into a budget that does not recognize that Illinois continues to spend more money than you already send them in taxes.

“I’m running for office to bring our conservative values and principles to state government,” said Don Moore. “Our families deserve to be represented by a leader who will stand up and not waiver when it comes to seeking a fiscally conservative approach to solving Illinois’ debt problem.”

Charlie Meier voted in opposition to Governor Rauner and with Speaker Madigan to pass a 32 percent tax hike that will cost the families of Madison County an additional $70 million in higher taxes. It will cost the families of Clinton County $9.6 million, St. Clair County $56.5 million, and Washington County $3.8 million in more taxes.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* Speaking of which…

Potential gubernatorial challenger Jeanne Ives adds $10K from Illinois Liberty PAC, currently chaired by Pat Hughes.https://t.co/08dmki1YEt

— IL Election Data (@ILElectionData) October 11, 2017

* Let’s do some other campaign stuff while we’re at it. BND…

St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly’s first quarter as a congressional candidate has garnered more than $350,000 in campaign contributions, including some from a top Democrat.

The campaign also said it’s the best off-year quarter by a challenger, according to its research.

Kelly, a Democrat hoping to unseat U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, in the 12th congressional district in the 2018 election, has received more than 900 individual contributions. […]

According to Federal Elections Commission data, Kelly’s first quarter of fundraising on the campaign trail was better than any quarter by C.J. Baricevic, who was the Democratic nominee for the 12th district in 2016.

* Press release…

The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) released the following statement following Sharon Fairley’s announcement that she would be running for Illinois Attorney General. Fairley most recently served as the chief administrator of the Chicago Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

“Sharon Fairley was recently appointed as Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s police oversight chief, but is already looking for a promotion. The Civilian Office of Policy Accountability was literally open ten days before rumors began circulating the she was likely to leave,” said RAGA Executive Director Scott Will. “Not exactly the qualities you look for in a leader of a critical law enforcement agency, let alone the top law enforcement officer of an entire state. Illinois needs an attorney general that actually wants to do the job.”

* Chicago Defender on the recent gubernatorial candidates forum…

When it came Madigan’s control as [Illinois] Democratic Party Chair, will candidates work with the Speaker of the House in their bid for the governor’s seat? Ahern states, “some people say he has more power than the governor.” She asked about the candidates’ relationships with him.

Tio Hardiman rebukes Madigan:

“We need a governor who will stand up to Mike Madigan and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. We don’t get a governor to stand up to politics as usual in Illinois, it’s the same powers over and over,” he continues. “Once I become Governor, I believe Mike Madigan will retire because I don’t believe he wants to deal with me.”

Biss adds, “Mike Madigan has been the Speaker for way too long and it’s held us back. It’s held the Democratic party back.”

As one of the hundreds in attendance, community activist Wallace ‘Gator’ Bradley was miffed at the ant-Madigan comments. “I don’t think anyone should be afraid to stand with anyone who stands with them and what they feel is better for Illinois. That was a question in the debate. In the end, whoever becomes the nominee, they’re not going to turn away Madigan or Berrios’ support,” says Bradley, who is a supporter of Pritzker.

So, Gator Bradley defended… Madigan and Pritzker? Yep.

There was a time not long ago when Gator Bradley was considered pretty darned controversial. I asked the Pritzker folks today if Bradley had a role in the campaign and was told “Nope.”