Longtime State Farm employee Mark Clauss is hoping to fill Chuck Erickson's District 10 seat on McLean County Board.
He has filed paperwork to run as the Republican candidate, placing him against Democrat Erica Larkin on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Clauss is stepping into the game later than other candidates, after Republican Ross Webb last week announced he was dropping his bid to pursue a job opportunity outside District 10 that covers the east edges of Bloomington and Normal.
In a news release, Clauss — a certified public accountant — said he wants to apply his background in finance to the county board in the district he's lived in for the past 13 years.
"My priorities are balancing tax burdens of residents and the corresponding value of services being provided, ensuring economic opportunities for residents and businesses, and maintaining community safety," he said.
Clauss, who's lived in the Twin City area for 30 years, added that he's committed to collaborating with others to enact policies that will support constituents.
“The answer can’t always be to raise taxes and throw more money at it, we need to root out waste and inefficiency and ensure we’re making long-term, value-based decisions,” he said, adding, "It would be an honor to serve the people of McLean County District 10 where my family and I call home."
Clauss is married with four children. In addition to working at State Farm, he said he co-operates a small real estate business with his wife.
