Candidates Make Last Minute Push in Champaign-Danville House District
Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) talks to voters while going door to door Friday.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville), appointed to the House about a year ago and locked in a tough race with Democrat Jarrett Clem, was knocking on doors in this small Vermilion County town Friday trying to encourage Republican voters in the GOP-heavy community to turn out on or before Election Day.
He received a boost as he walked up to a house with a pickup truck and a jet ski in the front yard.
“I’m Brandun Schweizer, your State Representative,” he said to the homeowner.
“Don’t worry, I already voted for you,” the man replied.
Schweizer thanked the constituent, shared his personal number, and moved on to the next home with precious days, hours, and minutes ticking away before Tuesday’s election.
“I’m feeling really good,” Schweizer, a retired Marine recruiter, said. “I’ve been busting my butt knocking thousands of doors and getting lots of good responses at the door.”
Democrats have used many of their standard attacks on Schweizer in the race, including accusations of an “extreme” position on abortion and a less-than-subtle implication that he played a role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol because of a campaign donation he received. (Schweizer was still an active-duty Marine on January 6.)
“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating,” he said. “I’ve dealt with pressure in the Marine Corps. They can say whatever they want. I know what I’m hearing at the doors, and I know what I’m talking to constituents about and that’s what my focus is.”
We met his opponent, union electrician and IBEW Local Business Manager Jarrett Clem late in the day Friday after he spent hours knocking on doors in southwest Champaign, a critical portion of the electorate.
Clem leaned back in his chair exposing he had kicked off his walking shoes for a far more comfortable pair of soccer sandals.
“I’m feeling very good,” Clem said with a crooked smile. “When we put the work in, we win, and we’re putting the work in. I’m feeling very confident.”
While the 104th was long a Danville-based Republican seat held by GOP stalwarts like the late Bill Black, Chad Hays, and Mike Marron, the 2021 redistricting by Democrats made the district more Democratic and more Champaign County based. President Biden won the district by about 4 points in 2020 and Governor Pritzker won it by just over a point in 2022.
“It’s a 50-50 district,” said Clem. “People in this district are working class, hardworking families. They’re going to vote for the candidate, not the party. So, it really gives us the opportunity to [elect] a labor friendly candidate that cares about families and can be an effective legislator.”
Clem said he believes the legislature can reduce property taxes by making a larger investment in public schools.
“If we make an investment in education, a larger investment, most of our property taxes are going to K-12 schools,” he said. “So, we could take some of the burden off taxpayers, help with property taxes, while making education more accessible.”
He didn’t identify a funding source for the additional education spending, but did say he supports some budget cuts and finding new “efficiencies.”
Like most House Republicans, Schweizer is being swamped in campaign spending. Republicans spent about $190,000 on his behalf in the third quarter of the year and recently sent him around $90,000, which we’re told was for a TV buy. Since October 1, Republicans have put an additional $121,000 into the race.
Since October 1, House Democrats and outside groups like the AFL-CIO and Personal PAC have spent around $240,000 on Clem’s behalf. Democrats spent another $173,000 on him in the third quarter in addition to $172,000 Clem spent from his own campaign. Democrats also sent him $99,000 for television ads earlier this month.
“They can throw as much money as they want,” Schweizer said. “[We’re focused] on getting out in front of constituents and talking to them face to face and letting them know why I’m here and what I’m here for.”
Clem says the key to the race is making sure Democrats are able to get their voters to the polls by next Tuesday.
“When we started, we knew it was gonna be turnout,” he said. “I think we’re in the same situation today. We made a playbook. We ran the playbook. If turnout is in a good place, we should be in good shape.”
Schweizer, who admitted he took a leap of faith to seek appointment to the House last year says he’s convinced of the importance of service.
“I’m even more hungry now than I was when I started,” Schweizer said. “I’ve put a lot of time and effort into this, and I want it more now than I ever have.”
Read our previous update on this race here.
