Candidate Profile: Darren Duncan
Name: Darren Duncan
Hometown: Rossville
Age: 48
Occupation: Farmer, Vermilion County Treasurer
Position seeking: Congress (15th District)
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Website or social media page: www.duncanforillinois.com
Why are you running and why should people vote for you? I never had ambitions to run for Congress, or any elected office. I didn’t even plan to run for Congress last fall. But, when Congressman Shimkus decided to step away, I waited for a common sense conservative to step up and run and we never saw that. I was encouraged by my wife (who started passing petitions before I said yes!) and many friends to look into the race, and decided I could try to make a difference. Congress is filled with people there simply to enrich themselves, raise their public image, and block any substantive change from happening. Central and southern Illinois need a Congressman who will get things done for them. I’m a farmer, not a politician. I’ve spent my entire life getting things done. We need more people who want to make positive change for their constituents, who will help Donald Trump pass a conservative agenda, and that’s the kind of Congressman I will be.
What would your goals be, if elected? The people of central and southern Illinois want the government off their backs. I want to protect the rights of lawful, responsible gun owners and the Second Amendment from attacks by liberal Washington and Chicago politicians. I will fight to defend the sanctity of life and protect the unborn. I will join President Trump in his efforts to secure our southern border. And I will work to rejuvenate our rural communities that dot the landscape in the 15th District, helping to create jobs and create opportunities and stop the degeneration of our small communities and counties into relics of the past.
What issues are most pressing for your constituency? I believe in building consensus. It’s the way things get done. Some people want to go to Washington just to stand in a corner and scream to the closest microphone while never accomplishing anything. There are a lot of Democrats who will never agree with me on guns or life or border security, but there are plenty who would. Why don’t we build coalitions with them without giving up our principles?I would also work to pass a rural redevelopment program that includes infrastructure, high-speed internet, and incentives for businesses to invest in small towns. I grew up in Vermilion County near Potomac (population 700) and currently live in Rossville (population 1,200). I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is for rural communities to keep and grow jobs and to keep our kids and grandkids here. My first priority is rebuilding rural America.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 10:41 AM with the headline "Candidate Profile: Darren Duncan."