From adopting a puppy to partaking in two taco fundraisers, planting corn and advocating for motorcyclist safety, it proved to be one busy week recently for Daniel Swanson, running for State House from District 74/Galesburg.
Republican candidate Swanson, a veteran and a farmer who resides in Alpha, won the Republican House nomination for District 74 on March 15 with votes from supporters spanning Bureau, Henry, Knox, Lee and Mercer counties.
“Right now our state is without a budget,” Swanson said shortly after clinching the nomination. “Are we still going to be at that impasse come November? I certainly hope not.”
Hitting the road to reach out to constituents, Swanson recently logged a week of his activities in a sort of travelog via his Facebook page, regaling supporters and friends with details of various fundraising and commemorative events.
Among the greatest contributors along the campaign trail was Tank, the Swansons’ newest addition, whom the family adopted in Iowa on a recent Saturday. Tank the puppy wasted no time in adapting to life on the road as the entourage made several efficient campaign stops along the way home to Illinois, including a Harley-Davidson ceremony in Kewanee (“Tank was a big hit,” said the candidate), a Carl Sandburg statue dedication in Galesburg and a Field Artillery ball that just happened to coincide with Daniel and wife Tammy’s 33rd wedding anniversary.
Fitting in Sunday events around chores and church, the couple attended events in Knox County, Woodhull and Aledo, where they enjoyed a taco supper to raise money for a local youth group and a ComedySportz show.
Tuesday found the family advocating with Central Illinois bikers for respect on the road — particularly Route 17, connecting Alpha and Woodhull. Wednesday Swanson (and Tank) helped out a neighbor with a hefty delivery, followed by a second taco event.
Fortunately on Friday, Swanson planted sweet corn, possibly replenishing the crop yield for future taco fundraiser events. He told his Facebook followers to “stay tuned!” as more events are sure to develop.
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