Chambana Sun

Dan Caulkins wants voters to understand and embrace the full power of their authority.

“Endorsements are good to have, but in the end it comes down to the voters and what the message is they’re hearing being articulated by the candidate,” he told the Chambana Sun. “This election season will be no different; in the end, that’s what it will come down to.”

Caulkins said he hasn’t spent too much time thinking about rumblings that the Republican endorsement process might be “rigged” to favor Gov. Bruce Rauner in his run against Republican challenger Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton).

Dan Caulkins

In one recent instance, Republican leaders at a Palatine Township Republican Organization endorsement session charged that chairman Aaron Del Mar, a longtime Rauner supporter and 2016 appointee of his to the Illinois International Port District, argued he wasn’t required to provide other group members with rules for the meeting.

Eyebrows were also raised when Rauner won the Cook County Republican endorsement over Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), despite her winning 55 percent of the city vote.

“People know what’s at stake and I think they’re going to think long and hard about what the state needs before they cast their votes next month,” said Caulkins, who is running for the seat held by retiring Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth) in the 101st District. “This election is critical to the direction of this state.”

That explains why the former Decatur councilman has decided to reenter the world of politics. Caulkins has vowed that if elected he won't take a salary or medical benefits, all in the name of helping that state regain its financial footing.

“I’m going to Springfield to work for the people,” he said. “Our forefathers meant for us to be citizen legislators. For us to serve our constituents, then go home. That’s what I plan to do.”

Caulkins said he plans to spend the last few weeks before Election Day knocking on doors and talking to as many voters as he can.

“I saw a poll recently that found that 80 percent of people now believe the state is on the right track,” he said. “Voters are convinced that if politicians did the things they want them to do there is no way we would be in such a mess. I think they’re starting to understand that’s not who I am, that I’m not a politician at all and I’m only concerned about getting this state headed back in the right direction.”

The 101st House District includes parts of Champaign, McLean, Dewitt, Macon and Piatt counties.