Hoffman gets opponent in state House race
Kay has been an executive at Cassens Transport for 35 years
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"Our state is broken. I recognize the problem," said Dwight D. Kay, a vice president at Cassens Transport Co. in Edwardsville.
Kay, a Glen Carbon resident, filed Monday morning to run as a Republican to represent the 112th District, which includes Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville and portions of Fairview Heights, Granite City and Troy.In an interview Monday, Kay said he plans to campaign on a common sense, smart-spending platform to correct what he describes as "gridlock" in Springfield.
"Today, as we speak, we're broken," he said, pointing particularly to continued issues with the state budget and, more recently, struggles in the House to pass an implementation bill that doles out money to various agencies.
The delay has forced some school districts to scramble for funding.
Kay said he would work towards a balanced budget and address spending issues, something that has been vital over his past 35 years at Cassens.
"Everyday I rely on budgets," he said. "If I didn't, I would be out of a job."
Kay said state leaders have let Illinois voters down.
"We can't count on our leaders to lead," he said.
Hoffman, who filed for reelection last Monday and as of this week was the only Democrat running for the seat, is a close ally of Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich. He has been in office since 1991.
As of Monday, Kay is the only Republican in the race.
The primary is Feb. 5.
The race is Kay's first time running for public office, although he said he has helped on other campaigns. Public campaign records also show he has donated twice to the reelection of U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Collinsville).
Kay said his lack of experience in elected office and background in business will help him.
"Quite frankly, I think that is an asset," he said.
Kay was the finance chairman for Washington County Circuit Judge Lloyd A. Karmeier's successful campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court in 2004.
Later, Kay filed a lawsuit against two Democratic political consultants accusing them of intimidating him while trying to gather information on the campaign. The lawsuit was settled out of court.
E-mail: ccoates@yourjournal.com
