An embattled Central Illinois lawmaker who will appear on the ballot unopposed in November has a new challenger entering the statehouse race as a grassroots write-in candidate.
A Champaign businessman, Keith Smith, has launched a write-in campaign for state representative in the 103rd House District, running against Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Champaign.
Smith explained his goal running as a write-in candidate against the otherwise unopposed Ammons to The Center Square.
Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, were federally indicted in early July for wire fraud and witness tampering related to a kickback scheme the lawmaker is alleged to have conducted by directing state funds to nonprofits employing her daughter.
Smith said he won’t be campaigning on those ongoing proceedings, citing the lawmaker’s presumed innocence.
While a registered Democrat, Smith said he’d be willing to work across the aisle with Republicans and noted he is also fiscally conservative in most cases.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
Comments