McNABB — The upcoming 2018 mid-term elections are sure to be highly competitive and potentially significant after Donald Trump's first year in office. Many of these races promised to feature newcomers to the political arena, and one such candidate for the 16th Congressional District seat, Jaye R. DeBates, happened to be from Putnam County.
However, as of Dec. 29, DeBates has withdrawn from the election amid complaints filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
DeBates did not respond to requests for a statement regarding his withdrawal.
According to a Facebook post by Republican opponent James Marter, Friends of the Marter for Congress campaign filed challenges on Dec. 11 to petitions submitted by DeBates on Dec. 4 citing discrepancies regarding the collection of qualifying signatures.
“Illinois voters deserve election and ballot integrity in the election process," Marter said in the post.
"There were significant shortcomings, some more serious than others. It is ultimately up to the [Illinois State Board of Elections] to determine whether each objection is sustained or overruled," he added.
Currently a general contractor working out of McNabb and president of the Professional Roofing Association of Illinois, DeBates is also the acting chairman of the Putnam County Republican Party.
Along with being a small business owner, he's also an Eagle Scout, a college graduate, an NRA pistol instructor, a women's self-defense instructor, and a Bible study and Sunday school teacher. The first big political effort he was a part of was campaigning for former Illinois Gov. James Thompson.
"After working very hard on President Trump’s successful presidential campaign and after careful prayer, I realized I needed to go to Washington to support and help President Trump finish making America the strongest nation in the world," DeBates said of what prompted his candidacy.
His background in small business was another inspiration.
"I will stand up for the working man in my district," he stated prior to his withdrawal.
"We need to have a strong, godly congressman in the 16th congressional district. We need more godly representation throughout the country. The winds of change are spreading across this great land, and the status quo politicians have become a burden to this great country," DeBates said.
Calling President Trump "magnificent," DeBates said he thinks the current 16th Congressional District representative, Adam Kinzinger, is ineffective and not representative of the local people.
"Kinzinger is and was a Jeb Bush supporter and is also a disrupter who constantly speaks against President Trump," DeBates said.
"Adam has bashed our president on CNN, MSNBC and other places where they'd give him a platform. We want a leader that speaks the truth, does what voters ask him to do, and follows through with President Trump's agenda," he said.
"If we wanted a television personality, we would have elected one. It's all about us, the voter, the taxpayer, the worker. The politicians have to be reminded they work for us, not the other way around," DeBates said.
Some of DeBates' priorities included term limits with a maximum of 12 years in any position; limits on pensions, including no mandatory pensions; limiting special privileges including receiving the same health care as veterans; and a lifetime ban on being a lobbyist after term limits.
"Pay must be brought in line with the normal working man or woman. The base salary of our current congressman is $3,346.15 a week, or $174,000 per year, plus benefits," DeBates said.
Other priorities would have included mandatory district meetings so voters can more easily access their representatives and hold them accountable, bringing the opioid crisis under control, welfare control and border control.
DeBates also proposed an end to the hiring practice of bringing in foreign labor through visa programs.
"Build the wall. We have willing and ready Americans that can help build this nation; let's get them back to work. America first!" he said.
The current roster of 16th Congressional District candidates for the March 20 primary now stands at two Republicans: Kinzinger, the incumbent and of Channahon; and James T. Marter, of Oswego.
For the Democrats, four candidates have filed: Neill Mohammad of DeKalb; Sara Dady of Rockford; Beth Vercolio-Osmund of Ottawa; and Amy Briel of Joliet.