A Democrat from Saybrook has announced plans to challenge McLean County Board vice chairman Jim Soeldner in next year's election.
Democrat David Siebert said in a Facebook post Tuesday that he plans to run for the McLean County Board District 2 seat currently held by Soeldner, a Republican from Ellsworth.
Siebert's announcement attracted attention from McLean County's GOP leadership. In a Facebook post Tuesday, the local party said "Republicans in rural McLean County, Downs, Bellflower, Saybrook, LeRoy, etc., need to step up and volunteer and help Jim Soeldner."
"(Soeldner) has a Democrat opponent and Democrats are making a run at winning county board seats," the post read.
McLean County Democrats are already touting Siebert's candidacy, including a tweet Tuesday.
David Siebert announces his intention to run for the Democratic Party Nomination for County Board Member District 2! https://t.co/ZE4lb5Q1uC
— McLean County Democrats (@McLeanCoDems) July 18, 2017
Soeldner announced his plans to run for a third term on Sunday. He said he planned to focus on keeping county property taxes low, improving roads and bridges in rural areas, and supporting the county’s mental health initiatives.
“I hope to continue to assist Chairman (John) McIntyre in leading this county to better times, even in light of the Illinois General Assembly’s decision to continue to burden the taxpayers of Illinois with higher taxes and no real reforms,” Soeldner said in Sunday’s statement.
The primary election is in March 2018, with the general election in November 2018.
