Donald Debolt takes on Sen. Steve McClure in GOP primary for Illinois 54th Senate District
State Sen. Steve McClure, who currently represents the 50th District, and Donald Debolt, a certified public accountant, face each other in the June 28 Republican primary.
They are running for the seat in the redrawn 54th District, which includes portions of 10 counties. Among those counties are Sangamon, Macoupin, Christian and Menard.
The district was redrawn in the recent redistricting process.
The winner of the primary advances to the Nov. 8 general election.
There are no Democratic candidates in the primary.
More: Meet Steve McClure, candidate for Illinois 54th Senate District
McClure, a former Sangamon County prosecutor, said one of the big issues he is focusing on is crime.
"After the criminal prison review board controversy, where I led the charge on that for Republicans, we got several members voted down by the Senate," McClure said. "That was a big issue. I've been a part of killing several really bad criminal bills that would've put all of us in greater danger as far as public safety is concerned."
With the nation facing the highest inflation in decades, McClure said he is concerned about the rising cost of living in general.
"We've got the highest property taxes in the country by most estimates. Food prices, energy prices, everything is going way up. I think it's a matter of trying to address those concerns as well," McClure said.
McClure, of Springfield, said his priority is to remain effective in the Senate.
"My focus is being an effective legislator, killing bad bills, and helping pass legislation that makes a difference," he said. "Working behind the scenes to point out flaws in those pieces of legislation have caused them not to become law and I think that has been a big benefit."
McClure was able to pass the DCFS pepper spray bill, in honor of slain agency worker Diedre Silas, and his bill that targets the teacher shortage and the COVID-19 learning gap.
McClure said he gets things done for the district.
"Look at the Chatham road resurfacing. Look at the transportation hub," McClure said. "We got $1.3 billion for the district. That's me working together with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle over the last several years to make sure we got our fair share in the district."
Debolt, of Stewardson, said his No. 1 priority is getting the financial health of Illinois in order.
"It's a mess. Working families are being taxed too much because Springfield is spending too much. We've gone from a $32 billion budget to a $46 billion budget in four years. I'd live to review where is that money going and can some of it be trimmed back," Debolt said. "I'm a CPA and auditor by trade. I've been a CPA for 45 years. It's clear that these skillsets are missing in Springfield and I feel like we need more financial expertise in Springfield than we do more laws."
More: Meet Don Debolt, candidate for Illinois 54th Senate District
Debolt said he supports a zero-based budget where every department starts at zero and has to make a case for every penny they are going to spend.
"This will help us eliminate wasteful spending and deliver a tax cut for working families. Also, help us better prioritize and fund things like police, education, and more. If we don't have the money, we can't spend the money," Debolt said.
Debolt said he plans to demand more accountability and transparency in the government as a senator. He also said that as a small business owner and farmer, he has insight that he can use to help constituents.
"My opponent is a lawyer with six years prosecuting experience and he seems to focus on prosecution. That's his background. That's what he knows," Debolt said. "I feel like in my case, I have a much broader realm of experience. I am older and most of my life experience I can use at this job for businesses and taxes. Whereas, he's got a lot of his life experience in front of him. He can't rely on that because he hasn't learned it yet."
Contact Royale Bonds: rbonds@gannett.com, twitter.com/@Royale59699722.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Debolt challenges incumbent McClure in Illinois 54th Senate District
