Research Clinton County candidates with this BND Voter Guide

Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for Clinton County races in the Nov. 8 election in Illinois.

The News-Democrat has contacted the candidates running for county board in contested races and asked them to complete a candidate questionnaire.

While this article has information about Clinton County candidates, you can go to this page at bnd.com to get links to read about candidates running for governor, Congress and seats in other counties.

Here are the responses from the Clinton County candidates who have replied: (The candidates are listed alphabetically.)

Clinton County Board District 2

NAME: HOLLY CLARK

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 55

Campaign website or social media page: None

Office seeking: Clinton County Board District 2

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No

Occupation: Registered nurse

Education: Bachelors of science with a major in nursing

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: March 2022 started AMAC (Association of Mature American Citizens) Action Chapter for congressional district IL15 promoting citizen education and communication between citizens and state and national representatives.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Mike and Holly Clark

Why are you running? I see our country turning too far towards the left, turning into an America that is different than what I grew up in. I love America, she’s the greatest nation on earth and I need to do all that I can to help America return to traditional American values.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? My top issue is safety. Remembering Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs, if you’re not safe, nothing else matters. Springfield passed the SAFE-T act which will go into effect this January. This means no cash bail, it means that alleged criminals may not be held in jail for crimes ranging from second-degree murder to kidnapping, robbery, threatening public officials and arson. The alleged criminals also have two chances to appear in court for their charge before a warrant is issued for their arrest. That means these people will be free to offend again. I will work with the county judge, prosecutor and sheriff to address how Clinton County will address this act and how we will keep law abiding citizens safe. I also want to work with the sheriff’s department to ensure there are plans in place for safety related to violent incidents at our schools and ensure we practice those plans to keep our kids and staff safe.

Why should people vote for you? “You’re not from around here,” no, I’m not. I’m a new name upholding traditional American values. I’ve traveled to and worked in different countries and states before raising my family in Clinton County. I have served five years active duty Air Force, three years in the Vermont Air National Guard, worked 26 years as a nurse and I am a wife and mother. I have worked with many different people in different settings and have observed wonderful and terrible things. I bring my commitment to work together to make life better for citizens of Clinton County using the United States Constitution and the Republican platform as my guides.

NAME: BRAD KNOLHOFF

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 35

Campaign website or social media page: Brad Knolhoff for County Board - Facebook

Office seeking: Clinton County Board District 2

Are you an incumbent? Yes

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) Clinton County Board, Multi-Township assessor

Occupation: Lead field engineer/supervisor

Education: AA: electrical automation technology - Ranken Technical College, BS: management- Ranken Technical College

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Clinton County Township Officials - president 2016-2020; Clinton County Comprehensive Plan Committee 2018-2021; Kaskaskia College Comprehensive Plan Committee - 2019; 4th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Justice Commission - 2021-present; St Joseph’s Hospital Foundation Board - 2020-present.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Self-funded

Why are you running? I am running for a second term on the Clinton County Board to build on the successes of the past four years. Since 2018, we have cut to county tax rate from $1.01 to $0.71 per $1,000 of EAV. In 2021 as the county finance chairman, I cut the property tax levy amount for the first time in recent history. This has all been accomplished without cutting any existing services, improving our infrastructure as well as improving the services we offer. I want to continue to advocate for efficient local government that focuses on serving the needs of all residents and taxpayers. Clinton County is on a very strong financial footing and I believe that if I am re-elected, it will stay that way for many years to come. I believe in Clinton County and the people of Clinton County. I hope to maintain a vibrant local environment that facilitates our children and grandchildren’s ability and desire to stay here.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Efficient government is my top priority. With the right leaders in government, we can have effective services that meet the needs of all citizens at a price that taxpayers can afford. The county board is responsible for guiding the spending of the county as well as the general services that are able to be offered. I commit to spending the time needed to ensure that every dollar we spend as a county is maximized and serves us in the best way possible. I will not just “show up.” Taxpayers deserve more than that from their leaders.

Why should people vote for you? In 2018, I ran on a platform that focused on six priorities. Economic development, lowering property taxes, streamlining technology, county employees, law enforcement and ending special interest. Over the past four years, I have been successful in improving each of these priorities significantly. These accomplishments have taken considerable time and commitment and I hope to be able to continue to build on the successes from the past four years.

NAME: GREG RIECHMAN

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 54

Campaign website or social media page: Facebook “Greg Riechman for Clinton County Board – District #2”

Office seeking: Clinton County Board (District #2)

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No

Occupation: Lead program/project manager for a bank in the Fortune 50

Education: Bachelor of science in accountancy; master’s degree in business administration

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Currently, I am serving my second term as commander of the Sons of the American Legion in Aviston, Illinois (Squadron #1239). Later this year, I plan to also become involved in assisting with fundraising/scholarship efforts for the Kaskaskia College Foundation. Many years ago, I was very active in the Illinois and Centralia Jaycees and Centralia Elks #493.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? I have no campaign contributors.

Why are you running? The drive behind my reason to run has been fueled by the fact that far too many individuals in our area are experiencing tough times, especially during the last two to three years, as we have all suffered through the global pandemic. With this in mind, I passionately believe that taking care of our own by focusing on the following objectives is of the utmost importance for the future stability and viability of Carlyle, the remainder of the District #2 area and all of Clinton County: 1) ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and students, especially while they are at school; 2) taking care of all of our county employees with the appropriate compensation/benefits package, a work/life balance and helping each and every one of them feel good about their jobs and that they are making a difference every single day; 3) striving for unparalleled fiscal responsibility and accountability of our budgeted dollars; 4) minimizing the burden of property taxes for our residents and farmers/landowners; 5) increasing economic development by aggressively encouraging businesses to relocate and/or start-up or expand in the Carlyle/Clinton County area; 6) establishing further broadband connectivity and availability to all county residents; 7) bringing more venues to the area for our youth, such as a potential county waterpark or movie theatre, etc., and 8) monopolizing the jewel that we all have in our backyard, Carlyle Lake, from an economic and recreational perspective.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Fiscal responsibility and due diligence with every budgeted dollar.

Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me because I have a great combination of education and business experience, plus an unparalleled work ethic, extensive researching abilities and outside of-the-box thinking that will allow me to make a difference on Day 1 by utilizing my talents in planning, budgeting, communications, decision making, technical competence, critical thinking, business acumen, leadership and overall execution.

In leveraging the aforementioned, I can provide excellent guidance/counsel to help adopt an annual county budget and oversee the general operations of the various county departments and committees.

NAME: BRYAN WESSEL

Political party: Democrat

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 62

Campaign website or social media page: Bryan Wessel on Facebook

Office seeking: Clinton County Board District 2

Are you an incumbent? Yes

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) Yes

Occupation: Retired

Education: High school graduate

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Right now just involved in my church.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Just myself

Why are you running? To see the projects that we as a board are presently working on to be finished and completed.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? To run our government that is affordable for our county. Meaning that we stay within our budget. My conservative values are important. I look at it that it is the taxpayers’ money and I will look out for their best interest.

Why should people vote for you? I have 14 years of experience. I have served on just about every committee. Now that I am retired, I will be able to spend more time to help out the people who put their trust in me before and will continue to serve the people.

Did not reply

Phyllis Mensing, a Democratic candidate for Clinton County Board District 2, did not respond to the Belleville News-Democrat questionnaire.

Clinton County Board District 3

NAME: ROBERT “BOB” BRANDKAMP

Political party: Democratic

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 78

Campaign website or social media page: Clinton County Illinois Democrats on Facebook

Office seeking: Clinton County Board District 3

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) Yes - school board and county board

Occupation: Retired

Education: Indiana State University - criminology

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Breese Optimists past president, member volunteer program at Community Link, first coordinator of Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, chairman Clinton County Democratic Committee

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Clinton County Democratic Committee

Why are you running? Believe in service to the community in which I reside.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? More efficiency in accomplishing projects that are needed for the community, such as completing the health department building. Would attempt to work with across the aisle to accomplish this.

Why should people vote for you? I have 22 years of law enforcement experience and 10 years of experience in the educational field. I am dedicated to the betterment of the Breese and the county and would hope to use my working experience to that end.

NAME: KENNY L. BROWN

Political party: Democratic

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 72

Campaign website or social media page: None

Office seeking: Clinton County Board District 3

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No

Occupation: Veterinarian

Education: Graduate of Northwest Missouri State and University of Missouri-Columbia

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: As a practicing veterinarian, I have always been involved with local humane societies and animal shelters. When I lived in Nebraska, I was on the board of the Nemaha Natural Resource District responsible for implementing agricultural conservation projects. I also worked with the federal Bureau of Land Management with equine herd health, and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce in Fall City, Nebraska.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Local Democratic committee only

Why are you running? To support expansion of health services for all citizens in the community, promote transparency in county fund expenditures and work to improve county services in a newly built animal control building with better oversight of animal health and welfare at the county level.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Most people are concerned about pocketbook issues and how their tax dollars are being spent, as well as the rising cost of and access to health care services. I like to think of myself, having spent a long career in animal health and working with people wherever I have practiced veterinary medicine, as someone who approaches making decisions with conservative common sense to address the issues at hand for the best outcomes. Even veterinary medicine has become a question of affordability for a family with a pet. I think the most important aspect of anyone’s life is their health, welfare and safety and the ability to maintain a personal lifestyle of their choosing.

Why should people vote for you? I have always been responsive to the concerns of people in my work life, and willing to listen to them whenever they need to be listened to. I would bring that same approach to the concerns in representing the citizens of Breese and Germantown in District 3. I have also had a long career of working in a collegiate atmosphere where a mutually cooperative and positive work environment provides the best results for the people being served.

NAME: MIKE “RED” HILMES

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 62

Campaign website or social media page: None

Office seeking: Clinton County Board member, District #3

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No

Occupation: Retired district claim agent - Norfolk Southern Railway

Education: Associate in arts degree in criminal justice, graduate of U.S. Army Military Police School, graduate of Illinois State Police Academy (Session 35) at BAC (Now SWIC), and Basic & Advanced Railroad Claims Schools.

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Past member of Breese Jaycees, former Volunteer EMT with city of Breese and current member of the Breese American Legion Post 252. Since my retirement in July 2019, I volunteer at the Clinton County Humane Society as a dog walker.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Me, myself and I.

Why are you running? Now that I’m retired, I feel that I have the ample time needed to represent the citizens within my district the best I can. This opportunity would be a good experience for me and also challenging.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Not aware of any “top issue.”

Why should people vote for you? I’m here to work in the best interest of the taxpaying citizens in Clinton County District # 3 and all of Clinton County. Because I’m retired, I have plenty of time to accomplish this.

NAME: ANN SCHROEDER

Political party: Republican

Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 59

Campaign website or social media page: N/A

Office seeking: Clinton County Board - District 3

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No

Occupation: Real estate broker

Education: Associates in business management; specialized paralegal degree

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Clinton County Republican Central Committee secretary, HSHS St. Joseph’s Foundation Leadership Council member, Germantown Zoning Board member, Germantown Fire Department auxiliary member, Committee to Support Central Board member, and served on the Clinton County Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? N/A

Why are you running? I am running for the Clinton County Board because I would like to do my part to protect the best interests of the citizens of the county.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? For one, I would like to ensure financial responsibility within the county, while maintaining the county’s safety and security. In addition, I feel it is important to promote local economic development in order to benefit the county through the creation of new jobs.

Why should people vote for you? I grew up in Clinton County and have raised my family here. Over the years, I have been involved in various organizations. The main goal of these organizations has always focused on the betterment of our communities. I hope to be able to continue that goal by serving the citizens of Clinton County.

Did not reply

Michael Strieker, a Republican candidate for Clinton County Board District 3, did not respond to the Belleville News-Democrat questionnaire.

This story was originally published September 30, 2022 at 5:30 AM.