Quincy Senior High School history teacher Rob Mellon is making a second bid for Congress in west central Illinois. He ran for the 18th District seat last year but lost in the Democratic primary. Mellon said he learned from that experience.
“At the beginning I was a political novice. I hadn’t met a lot of the county leadership and I didn’t understand the breadth of the entire district. It’s so large,” Mellon said.
“I’m going to have people who go door-to-door. I did that in Quincy (last year) but I’m going to have people do that in McLean County, Peoria County, and the northern part of the district where most of the votes are at. I didn’t make enough contacts in those areas before. That’ll be an emphasis of mine this time.”
Mellon said his positions appeal to middle class voters. Mellon said he would work to lower the interest rate on student loans, and he believes women should receive equal pay for equal work.
“It’s 2015. We shouldn’t have a situation where a woman makes 88-cents for every dollar a man makes for doing the same job,” Mellon said. He said the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 addresses the issue but steps must be taken to ensure it’s enforced.
Mellon said the tables are tipped against the average person. He said people are frustrated by the lack of voice they have in the political system and the influence of money on politics.
The congressional seat became available when Aaron Schock (R-IL) resigned in March because of questions over the influence of money on his office. The Justice Department is looking into Schock’s office and campaign expenses, and at least four of Schock’s former staff members have been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury.
A special election will be held to replace Schock. The primary is scheduled for July 7, followed by the general election on September 10.
