Mike Smiddy: Democrat for State Representative

EAST MOLINE, IL – Mike Smiddy from Hillsdale, IL announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 71st District in September 2011. The Prairie Advocate News conducted a video interview with Smiddy on Thursday, October 18, 2012, at the United Auto Workers’ Richard Shoemacher Hall in East Moline. The complete interview may be viewed below..

Smiddy currently works for the Illinois Dept. of Corrections as a Supply Supervisor, and is an active member of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Union (AFSCME) Local 46 at the East Moline Correctional Center.

His wife, Deb, is a teacher at the East Moline School District #37. She formerly taught Music at Mount Carroll in 1995. The couple have two children.

“The political climate here in Illinois is such that people want to know the reality of what we face and concrete solutions to get us past those challenges.”

Despite Illinois’ rank of 49th in the nation for job creation under a Democratic-led House, Senate, and Governor, Smiddy said that Illinois leadership needs to ensure strong economic development, and a job creation/retention plan.

Smiddy said he plans to be a full-time representative. “I want to know you, get to know your issues that are important to families like mine - and yours.”

Smiddy has raised a total of $335,385 so far, including $83,531 in the third quarter, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The biggest benefactors of Mike Smiddy for State Representative are as follows:

AFSCME Illinois Special PAC - $153,146

AFSCME Illinois Council No. 31 - $143,820

AFSCME International - $50,000

Illinois PAC For Education - $37,000

Personal PAC - $22,990

Laborers’ Local Union 309 - $22,000

SEIU Healthcare IL IN PAC - $20,000

(PA photo/Tom Kocal)

The Prairie Advocate News appreciates the opportunity to interview the candidates during this busy campaign season. To date, video interviews with State Senator Mike Jacobs, State Representative Rich Morthland, and his opponent, Mike Smiddy, may be viewed at www.pacc-news.com. Plans are to add video interviews with Sen. Jacobs’ opponent Bill Albrecht, and for U.S. Congressman Bobby Schilling and his opponent, Cheri Bustos, before Friday, October 26. It is the wish of The Prairie Advocate News to offer these side-by-side, apples with apples, face-to-face comparisons of the candidates and their views on local, state and federal issues.