Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, (R-Okawville) announced his bid for election yesterday to his seat in the 58th district, which includes Carbondale.

Luechtefeld was picked by the Republican Central Committee as a replacement for Ralph Dunn, who retired in September. Dunn had held the seat since 1985.

Luechtefeld said if he is elected to the seat he will focus on solving the area’s lack of jobs.

Advertisement

The number one thing for this area, the 58th district, would be the high unemployment, he said.

Luechtefeld, along with Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, played a large role in bringing a medium security prison to Pinckneyville that carried hundreds of jobs to the region. Luechtefeld said projects like the prison cannot be depended on to get Southern Illinois in good economic shape.

The prison was a plus, but you can’t expect things like that to come around often, he said.

He said the area’s coal industry will be hard to revive and that it depends mostly on advances in making the high-sulfur coal mined in the area burn cleaner.

I really believe technology is going to be he determining factor there, he said. Right now it certainly doesn’t look good, but I think the day will come when it will be revived.

He said since the future of Southern Illinois mining depends on technological advances there is not a lot he could do as Senator to get the industry back on its feet.

Two people are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Luechtefeld for the seat. Barb Brown, an SIUC political science professor, and Washington County resident Tony Mayville have both officially entered the Democratic primary for the seat.

Advertisement*

David Kenney, a retired SIUC political science professor said he thinks Brown will win the nomination, largely because of her political experience.

As a student, Brown worked for Sen. Paul Simon’s first congressional campaign and is currently the Democratic state central committeewoman for the 12th district.

Brown also said solving the districts unemployment problems would be a top priority if she is elected. She said three things will factor into making the area’s economy grow:a solid infrastructure, education and maintaining quality of life services such as health care.

If industries are going to come to the area they have to be very confident their employees are gong to be taken care of, she said.

Mayville could not be reached for comment.

Luechtefeld said Brown is a very bright woman and a strong contender for the seat but noted that she still has to win the primary before she becomes his challenger.

Brown said Luechtefeld may be too inexperienced in politics to be an effective Senator.

This district can’t really afford someone who has to learn on the job, she said.

Chris Grissom, a Republican Central Committee official, said he thinks Luechtefeld’s background in education makes him a strong candidate.

Luechtefeld retired from his social studies teaching post at Okawville High School last year after a 33-year stint in education. He still coaches the school’s basketball team and has led the team to the state finals three times.

Grissom said Luechtefeld’s straightforward answer that he would not quit the coaching post to become Dunn’s replacement impressed him and actually played a part in his selection.

Luechtefeld said he is not sure if he will quit his coaching job if he elected.

I’m not trying to be coy about it or anything, but I really don’t know, he said. I’ll see how it goes this coming year, and if it takes too much of my time I’ll probably give it up.