Rep. Tom Demmer to Challenge Frerichs for State Treasurer
Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), considered a rising star in the House Republican caucus, announced Tuesday he plans to challenge Democratic State Treasurer Mike Frerichs in the November general election.
One of the brightest young stars in Republican politics is setting his sights on statewide office.
Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), who has served in the House since 2013, announced Tuesday he plans to challenge Democratic State Treasurer Mike Frerichs in the November general election.
Demmer, 36, said in his announcement taxpayers need a “fiscal watchdog.”
“Unfortunately in Springfield right now, the politicians’ answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending. We know Springfield politicians won’t change overnight, but we can take an important first step by electing a proven fiscal watchdog as state treasurer,” said Demmer. “As Treasurer, I’ll be on the side of Illinois families working to protect their hard-earned dollars and shining a light on how our tax-dollars are spent.”
Demmer criticized Frerichs for “continually supporting income tax increases on Illinois families” and advocating for Governor JB Pritzker's graduated income tax referendum in 2020.
“The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Mike Frerichs but he stands tall among the tax and spend Springfield crowd. Throughout his 15 years as a Springfield politician, Mike Frerichs continually voted to raise taxes. And now, he even wants to tax retirement,” said Demmer, referring to a statement Frerichs made in 2020 that he later walked back.
In response, the Frerichs campaign said Demmer “would unravel years of progress in Illinois and prioritize the interests of Wall Street.”
“Tom Demmer opposed every reform I have championed as Treasurer, even when other Republicans were on our side,” said Frerichs, who was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. “He does not have the conviction to fight for Illinois families, and he does not have the backbone to stand up to special interests.”
Demmer has been rumored to be drawn into the race by advisors of billionaire Ken Griffin, and is said to be part of Griffin’s “slate” of candidates.
The state Democratic party was quick to jump on the connection Tuesday, calling Demmer a pawn of Griffin’s.
“Demmer’s radical views make him unfit to serve in statewide office,” said Democrat spokesman Jake Lewis. “He has voted against increasing the minimum wage, against increasing education funding, against ending the Rauner budget impasse, against the Equal Rights Amendment, and against holding life insurance companies accountable.”