THE FOLLOWING RELEASE IS FROM STATE REP BRANDUN SCHWEIZER’S OFFICE
DANVILLE, IL… Earlier this month, State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia, to participate in the Melissa Hortman Emerging Leaders Program, an invitation-only leadership development program hosted by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation in partnership with the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
The program brought together over 50 emerging state legislators from across the country to examine effective leadership, strengthen bipartisan relationships, and discuss the responsibility of public officials to serve as faithful stewards of the public trust.
One of the week’s highlights was a keynote address by Lt. Col. Doug Douds, USMC, who reminded attendees that “democracy is a relay, not finished business.” As a fellow Marine, Rep. Schweizer said the message resonated deeply with him.
“It was an honor to hear from speakers like Lt. Col. Douds and to learn alongside fellow legislators from across the country,” said Rep. Schweizer. “Programs like this reinforce that effective leadership is rooted in service, humility, gratitude, and a commitment to lifelong learning. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and look forward to applying what I learned to better serve the people of east-central Illinois.”
The program was recently renamed in honor of the late Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, who was tragically killed alongside her husband in 2025. Hortman participated in the Emerging Leaders Program early in her legislative career and later became one of its strongest advocates, regularly nominating promising lawmakers to attend.
For more information about the program, visit SLLF.org.
With any questions, contact Rep. Schweizer’s office at (217) 477-0104 or visit RepSchweizer.com.
