Union County resident Marsha Griffin kicks off campaign for state legislature
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<p class="p1">Union County elementary school teacher and community volunteer Marsha Griffin announced her candidacy for the 115th Representative District on Wednesday, Nov. 18, in front of a large bipartisan crowd of supporters at the Carbondale Civic Center. Griffin has never run for elected office before. </p><p class="p1">“I never imagined I would run for any type of elected office, but I feel called to help put our state and our families back on a path to prosperity and cooperation rather than the gridlock and infighting we have today," Griffin stated.</p><p class="p1">"I have spent my entire life living, working and raising my family in Southern Illinois and am proud to call it my home, but like countless families in Southern Illinois, I’m angry and disappointed in the way the needs and concerns of our families have been ignored by politicians,” Griffin said in a news release. </p><p class="p1">“Over the past month, I have knocked on doors listening to the concerns of residents from Jefferson County to Union County, and I understand the struggles that many of our families are facing because my family has been there, too. </p><p class="p1">"We’re all fed up with the political games taking place in Springfield, including trying to solve our state’s problems on the backs of middle-class families and vulnerable residents.” </p><p class="p1">Griffin, whose husband is a state correctional employee, created a faith-based advocacy group called My Brother’s Keeper around the time of the closure of the Tamms Correctional Center.</p><p class="p1">The advocacy group was established for corrections workers and their families to voice their concerns about the dangerous working conditions in overcrowded prisons. </p><p class="p1">The group has been vocal in the fight to protect workers and prevent the closure of state facilities that provide thousands of jobs to local residents.</p><p class="p1">Griffin vowed to carry on her advocacy for local workers and middle-class families as state representative by putting families first and protecting the vital state services that the middle class, struggling families, women, the elderly and children depend on. </p><p class="p1">Griffin said current State Rep. Terri Bryant, a Republican from Murphysboro,"has not stood up for Southern Illinois families and has been more content to stand idly by while collecting her taxpayer funded salary. </p><p class="p1">"Bryant, who has refrained from voting 77 times in her first year in office, has failed to take a position on critical issues, including property tax relief, needed funding for in-home care for the elderly, breast cancer screenings and programs for children with developmental disabilities. </p><p class="p1">"Bryant also opposed more dollars for local schools, voting against an education budget that was eventually signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner.</p><p class="p1">“When Terri Bryant was elected, we put our faith in her to represent us. She has failed us miserably,” Griffin said. </p><p class="p1">“The hard-working families in our region deserve an active legislator who will reject the partisan politics and do her job, regardless of which party has a good idea or who you have to work with to get something done. </p><p class="p1">"Time and time again, Terri Bryant has refused to support programs to help local middle-class families and residents. Since she refuses to do her job, it’s time to elect someone who will fight for local residents.”</p><p class="p1">Working as an elementary school teacher for more than 10 years and serving as the current president of the Jonesboro Education Association, Griffin said she strives to create excellence in local schools by representing the needs of students, educators, faculty and retired teachers.</p><p class="p1">On Nov. 18, she voiced her support for more equitable school funding in Illinois.</p><p class="p1">“Marsha Griffin is the kind of person who always puts others before herself. That’s just who she is,” said Jeremy Noelle, a staff Representative for AFSCME Council 31. </p><p class="p1">“Whether she’s helping a student in her classroom, standing up for the rights of workers in our communities or spreading prayer requests for those in need, Marsha is always finding ways to improve the lives of those around her. </p><p class="p1">"She comes from three generations of family members who have fought for working people and their rights. </p><p class="p1">"She will go to Springfield and make the difficult decisions we need to move our state forward while protecting vital programs that families count on.”</p><p class="p1">A lifelong resident of Southern Illinois, Griffin resides in Jonesboro with her husband, Rich, and their son, Brandon. </p><p class="p1">The 115th Representative District includes Jefferson County and parts of Jackson, Perry, Union and Washington counties. </p>