Dems Recruit Union Leader for Marron Seat
Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) isn’t seeking re-election next year, leaving a seat Joe Biden won in 2020 open for a potential Democratic pickup.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
Democrats may have found the candidate they believe can flip one of the most vulnerable Republican-held seats in 2024.
Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) isn’t seeking re-election next year in a Champaign to Danville district that President Biden won by nearly four points in 2020 and Governor Pritzker won by just over a point in 2022.
With the House Democratic financial advantage and a trend in Champaign County (which has voted Democrat in every presidential election since 1988) leftward, Democrats believed they have a legitimate shot to flip a longtime GOP district.
Their candidate may be perfectly primed to do the flipping.
Democrat Jarrett Clem
Jarrett Clem, a farmer, union electrician, Business Manager for his IBEW local, and community college trustee, tells The Illinoize he is circulating petitions and planning to seek the seat next year.
Clem, 38, grew up in Champaign and lives in rural Flatville in northeastern Champaign County.
Clem is a moderate who says he wants to focus on labor, agriculture, and vocational education in the district.
Republicans, meanwhile, continue to struggle to find a top tier candidate. We’re told House Republicans had narrowed down a candidate in recent weeks, but the candidate dropped out.
Numerous local Republicans say there are no top tier candidates in the pipeline.
A House GOP source said they would announce a candidate “soon.”
As of now, the only Republican circulating petitions is Jacob Lane of Danville, a former aide in the Indiana governor’s office and describes himself as a “frequent contributor” to the right wing Newsmax website.