Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) is the current state representative serving House District 93. She was appointed to the seat in December, 2010 and is in her fourth term.
Hammond, who serves as Assistant House Minority Leader, said she wants to continue taking on the challenges faced by the state and her district. She said she has something to bring to the discussion and has learned a lot during her years in the Legislature.
For example, Hammond said she’s learned it is imperative to reach out to colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers in order to work toward resolution on an issue.
Hammond voted in favor of the state income tax hike, which was approved last year. It increased the personal income tax rate in Illinois from 3.75% to 4.95%.
“I would say without a doubt it was the hardest vote I’ve had to take since I’ve been in the General Assembly,” Hammond said, adding, it was “absolutely the right vote.” She said the money raised will help the state reduce its backlog of overdue bills. She said otherwise the backlog would have grown, the state’s bond rating would have fallen to junk status, and an even higher tax rate hike would have been necessary to dig out of the hole.
Hammond is opposed in the Republican primary by Joshua Griffith of Abingdon. Early voting for the March 20 primary is already underway.
The winner of the Republican primary will face John Curtis of Macomb in the November general election. Curtis is running unopposed for the Democratic Party nomination.