Tim Dudley Candidate for 51st Senate Seat Talks about his Campaign

Tim Dudley the Democratic candidate for State Senator from the 51st District stopped in Shelbyville recently on a campaign swing. Dudley sat down with Frank Mulholland, Daily Union Editor and talked about why the voters of the 51st District should vote for him.

The 51st District takes in all or parts of nine counties including several townships in Shelby County (See Map). Dudley is facing a challenge in the primary election from Amy Bliefnick. The Republican challenger is Kyle McCarter.

To begin with Dudley lived in Shelbyville for several years back in the 80s and early 90s.

“I have never lived outside the 51st District, I didn’t come in from Chicago or New York or somewhere else,” Said Dudley.

A native of Dalton City, Dudley grew up in the Bethany School District. Many of you may recognize Dudley from his daily radio show “Tara and Tim in the Morning” on radio station WEJT. Dudley recently stepped down from that show because of political stipulations that would have required equal time for his opponents. Dudley also works as a licensed realtor since 1995.

Dudley lives in Decatur with his wife Susan and they have two sons, Tyler and Trevor.

Dudley began his commitment to public service in 2005 when he was elected to serve on the Richland Community College Board of Trustees. He was appointed to the Board of Directors for Brush College LLC in 2006. Dudley was appointed to the Macon County Board in December of 2007 and re-elected in November of 2008 for a four year term.

Dudley serves on several different boards including the Heritage Behavioral Center Board of Directors. He also is on the fundraising committee for Camp COCO (Children’s Oncology Camp Org.) which offers children with terminal illness an exciting opportunity to experience summer camp. Dudley also volunteers his time helping with the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. He is also a former Big Brother for Big Brothers Big sisters and worked with the Project Success.

Dudley said the voters of the 51st District should vote for him because he is a hard worker and learned a good work ethic from his father. He also believes voters should vote for him because he understands the day-to-day problems of the average person in the district.

“I have been there like everyone else working hard to provide for my family, struggling to send my kids to college,” Dudley said. “I have struggled through the same things that most people in this district have struggled through.”

Dudley goes on to say he understands the problems most constituents face in their lives.

“I am going to continue to go out there and fight for those kind of people. I think the people are disenfranchised now with the politicians. I think they feel like they don’t listen to them any more and only do what they want.”

“I want to bring that seat (Senate seat) back to what it should have been from day one, ran by someone who cares about the people and will listen to them.”

With the General Primary scheduled for February 2, Dudley has lined up a full list of endorsements. Some of those endorsements include the Macon County Democratic Central Committee; Madison County Democratic Central Committee; Shelby County Democratic Central Committee; Fayette County Democratic Central Committee; Bond County Democratic Chairman; Effingham County Democratic Chairman; East Madison County Democratic Chairman; South Central Illinois Laborers’ Local 159 and the Decatur Building and Construction Trades Council which includes 13 local craft unions.

“Tim is a candidate who genuinely cares about the needs of working families. He understands the real struggles people face in these economic times and he has the passion to fight for real solutions,” IBEW Local 146 Business Manager Jay Dunn said.

Locally John Warner, Shelby County Democratic Chairman said he believes all of the Lake Shelbyville area will benefit from having a local person represent them.

“I believe Tim Dudley will remember his roots here and serve our area well, having grown up in the Bethany area, and lived in Shelbyville for many years,” said Warner.

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