East Central Reporter

State Rep.-elect Chris Miller is clear about what he hopes his time in Springfield will represent.

“In my mind, the most pressing thing I can do is to get people in the General Assembly to dwell in reality,” he told the East Central Reporter. “The truth is, this state is a mess. We’re up to our eyeballs in debt and we can’t keep kicking the can down the road. We need to be honest about that and honest in the solutions that we come up with. Anything less will only magnify the problems and lead to more people leaving the state.”

Miller, who bested Democratic nominee Shirley Bell with 60 percent of the vote in the 110th district earlier this month, said the overall general election results make his job in Springfield more difficult.

“There’s no question things are made more complicated by the blue model we now have in place,” he said. “The tax, borrow and spend crowd is in complete control, but the reality is you can’t tax your way to prosperity any more than you can borrow your way to that place of security.”

Miller added he’s convinced the overall election night results send what he called the dangerous message it’s business as usual across as the state, with the same  failed policies persisting.  

“It’s a dangerous message to be sending when the state is clearly in such a perilous position,” he said.

Still, Miller said his level of optimism remains high and his resolve about the things he expects to accomplish in Springfield has never wavered.

“I’m a farmer by profession, which means we’re faced with challenges and adversity all time,” he said. “I’m looking forward to connecting with more reform-minded lawmakers and finding common ground on the things we can work together on. The bottom line is we’ve got to get the sails on this ship adjusted before things really start to sink. Right now, it’s clear to everyone that we’re really headed in the wrong direction.”

The 110th House District includes Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar and Lawrence counties.