CENTRALIA – Citing his opposition to tax increases and his support for business reforms, a balanced budget, term limits, 2nd Amendment rights and the right to life for the unborn, local business owner Ben Stratemeyer, a certified public accountant, announced his intention to run in the March 20 Republican primary for State Senate in the 54th District.
Stratemeyer, CPA, is running for the State Senate because the Illinois economy is in a tailspin and he wants to make the state a more attractive destination for employers.
“We can solve our budget problems if we simply take the steps needed to create new jobs and new opportunities,” Stratemeyer said. “The current policies of high taxes and excessive spending are making it virtually impossible for Illinois to compete. The status quo is unacceptable.”
Stratemeyer opposes the recent 32-percent permanent tax increase and would support efforts to roll back the tax hike. He said Illinois has a spending problem – not a revenue problem.
“For over twenty years I’ve helped people get control of their finances,” Stratemeyer said. “My top priority as a legislator will be to find ways for Illinois to save taxpayers money. We can’t continue to spend money we don’t have. Overspending doesn’t work for my clients, and it clearly doesn’t work for the State of Illinois. As taxpayers, we deserve better.”
Stratemeyer is a husband, father, small business owner and the Republican Central Committee Chairman in Marion County. Ben and his wife Celeste are members of the Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia. They have two daughters.
“I am running because I want my children and grandchildren to have the same kind of opportunities in Illinois I had,” Stratemeyer said. “Too many people have left Illinois because they cannot find work. We must turn our state around. I can help make our great state a destination again for new jobs and opportunities.”
Besides being a CPA, Stratemeyer owns a local radio station and comes from a centennial farm family. He holds an MBA from Southern Illinois University and has a Bachelors degree in Finance and Business Economics from SIU, as well as a Bachelors in Accounting from McKendree College. He is a member of the Farm Bureau, Centralia Rotary Club, the Illinois Broadcasters Association, the Illinois CPA Society, the Illinois Oil and Gas Association and he serves on the Board of Directors for Illinois South Tourism, South Central Transit Authority, and the Centralia Chamber of Commerce. He is a Deacon at Calumet Street Christian Church and is their Treasurer.
The 54th District is currently represented by Republican Kyle McCarter, who is retiring.