ABOVE: Illinois House GOP 104th District candidate Brandun Schweizer speaks at Joseph G. Cannon Vermilion County Administration Building. (all pictures by Bill Pickett)
There will not be two Republican names on the March 19th primary ballot for the retiring Mike Marron’s 104th District Illinois House seat. At first, two candidates had expressed interest. One was Brandun Schweizer, a retired U.S.M.C. Master Sergeant and current City of Danville Code Enforcement Inspector. The second was Marguerite Bailey, current Legislative Assistant to State Rep Marron and Former Village of Potomac Trustee.
But Bailey said during Monday (Dec 4th) morning’s press conference on the first floor of the Joseph G. Cannon Vermilion County Administration Building that she is stepping aside from her candidacy for party unity. Although Bailey also mentioned that obtaining 710 signatures on her election petition within one week of her announcement was certainly flattering.
AUDIO: Just having that support was just immensely incredible for me. After many strategic conversations, it became clear that having a contentious primary race would not be in the best interest for this district. It could potentially cause division.
Speaking after Bailey was Champaign County Republican Chair Jim McGuire. He expressed agreement on the point about needed unity.
AUDIO: Springfield Democrats are targeting our area with this new legislative gerrymandered map. They have carved up our counties to try and diminish the votes of the people of Champaign and Vermilion Counties. We won’t let them be successful.
ABOVE: The four speakers at Monday morning’s press conference at the Joseph G. Cannon Vermilion County Administration Building in sequential order: State Rep Mike Marron Legislative Assistant Marguerite Bailey, Champaign County Republican Chair Jim McGuire, Vermilion County Republican Chair Erica Ramsey, and GOP 104th Illinois House District Candidate Brandun Schweizer.
Vermilion County GOP Chair Erica Ramsey spoke about Schweizer before introducing him.
AUDIO: Brandun is a 21 year Marine Veteran. He married a Vermilion County girl. And together they have three beautiful children. He is now a member of the IBEW; and is committed to making Illinois a safer and better place for all of our children.
Schweizer closed the conference by taking the podium and thanking everyone for supporting his candidacy.
AUDIO: I’ve dedicated my life to serving this country. And I want to continue that service, serving these counties, as the next State Representative for the 104th District. Throughout the next coming months, I look forward to spending my time speaking with the voters, understanding what their needs are, taking those needs to Springfield, and being their representative.
Marron, who announced last summer he would not be seeking a new term, recently accepted the position as CEO/President of Vermilion Advantage.
Meanwhile, Vermilion County Republican Chair Erica Ramsey told Neuhoff Media after the conference that a final decision on who will replace Marron for the remainder of his current term has not yet been officially made.
