No feedback from the Walker camp after this one. Huh.
From today’s Carbondale Times…
Senate Republican and Democratic staffers have set up shop in southern Illinois as if a political battle of epic proportions was about to begin.
The focus is on the state Senate seat held by Republican David Luechtefeld. Democrats identified Luechtefeld’s 58th district as one that could go blue and sent Springfield based staffers to get the job done.
Meanwhile, Republicans intend to formally announce the opening of their campaign office on West Main Street in Carbondale. The office is a makeshift headquarters for Republican staffers dispatched from the capital with orders to hold the line.The troops are in position. Each side is looking for their opponent’s weak spots. The guns are drawn, but there’s one problem: neither side wants to take the first shot.
One of the transplanted Republicans said Monday there might not be a need for the GOP to turn this race into a slugfest. Coming from Luechtefeld’s perspective, that is probably true given his name recognition and conservative views that reflect most of the district.
It does seem odd, however, that the GOP would invest so much manpower into this race and not apply pressure.
That passes the burden onto challenging Democrat Jeremy Walker. But the young Randolph County public defender said last month he does not foresee attacking Luechtefeld.
Is there another way for a Democrat to unseat a 15-year incumbent in a predominately Republican district?
Walker has the potential to be a rising star within his party and running an attack campaign against Luechtefeld leaves the door open for Republicans to comeback by accusing him of trying to slander a well-respected community figure.
Instead, the Red Bud native plans to take Luechtefeld down by using old school grass root campaign tactics. He has been going door to door to make his name better known. It’s the cheapest and more personal way to earn exposure, but it does not even put a dent in the level of name recognition Luechtefeld has mustered as a politician and popular high school basketball coach.
Unfortunately for Walker, his options are limited. He has the anti-incumbency trend on his side, but that won’t carry him in an election cycle in which Democrats are not expected to turnout in force.
Walker could hold Luechtefeld’s feet to the fire and not run a negative campaign. He could take issue with the four-term senator’s “No” vote to the pension reform bill that cut benefits to future public employee retirement plans. His talking points could include the importance of the cost savings associated with the bill, which passed through the Legislature in under 11 hours.
Or he could try to rally the younger Democratic vote by bringing up Luechtefeld’s “No” vote to a bill that would freeze tuition rates for fifth and sixth year college students. (Students pay the same amount of tuition until their fifth year in school.)
But Walker says going after Luechtefeld in such a way would make him an immoral candidate in a voter’s mind because he would be attacking one of Illinois’ older elected officials.
If that mindset continues much longer, Democrats would be wise not to get their hopes up in this contest.
Luechtefeld intends to serve a full term
Because Sen. Luechtefeld is one of the older state legislators, rumors have been tossed around for years the Okawville native would not serve a full term if re-elected.
There have been multiple theories, but most of them include Luechtefeld carrying the Republicans to victory in November followed closely by his retirement. Republicans would then appoint someone to the seat and have an “incumbent” before the upcoming legislative redistricting.
However Luechtefeld insists his health and want to be in government remains strong. He specifically denied one rumor that he would step aside if Republican Bill Brady is elected governor in November.
It would appear as if Coach Luechtefeld has no intention whatsoever of throwing in the towel just yet.
