State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, announced his intentions to run for re-election Tuesday, rallying his supporters for what could be another bitterly contested campaign.

In 1996, Luechtefeld defeated Democratic challenger Barb Brown, an SIUC lecturer in political science, by less than 150 votes. Both candidates ran aggressive campaigns last election cycle, and Luechtefeld supporters are expecting nothing less in 1998.

Brown has yet to declare her candidacy, but many expect she will. Brown, at a meeting of the Southern Democratic Women Saturday, said she will announce her intentions in the next couple weeks.

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About 30 people turned out for Luechtefeld’s announcement at the SIUC Dunn and Richmond Economic Development Center on Pleasant Hill Road. The Senator stressed the importance of jobs and education, stating that Southern Illinois has benefited from recent efforts to expand economic development and increase education funding. But, he said, there are things we’d still like to do.

I think we’ve done some things with jobs that were very good. Millions of dollars have come into our area for special projects, Luechtefeld said. But, we left the General Assembly very dissatisfied with improvements in education. The education issue is extremely important.

Luechtefeld underscored the necessity of increasing expenditures for education, allocating more money for buildings and technology as well as raising the dollar amount per student.

Everybody says it, but we really have to bring the bottom up per student in each district, he said. The state has to help out.

Luechtefeld, in reference to last session’s shortcomings in education funding, used an analogy often used in sports.

If I’ve learned anything in coaching, it’s if you lose, you get back up and keep trying, said Luechtefeld, a former basketball coach at Okawville High School.

Luechtefeld’s supporters appeared invigorated by the his announcement, praising his abilities to accomplish the goals of Southern Illinois and complimenting his character.

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I think Dave is a wonderful senator, said Murphysboro Mayor Chris Grissom. He’s well-liked, he’s honest, and he’s one of the hardest working politicians out there.

Grissom predicts another aggressive campaign next year and said he will be working diligently to re-elect Luechtefeld. Grissom also functions as Jackson County Republican chairman.

Pat Kelley, professor at the SIU School of Law, also praised Luechtefeld, saying the senator has accomplished much because of hard work and ethics and will continue to push for education reform.

He’s been a teacher all his life so he understands education issues, Kelley said. He’ll fight for more education dollars.

Luechtefeld, after discussing economics and education, commented on the nature of campaign finance. He railed against the amount of money spent during his last race and said he hopes 1998 will not be a repeat of the situation.

I was the No. 1 target last time, Luechtefeld said. The (Republican) Party spent as much as they had to get me elected. I’d like to see me not be the No. 1 target this time.

Too much money was spent in 96, and I prefer it not be that way again.