Peoria Standard

Austin Bertschy says he wants to end Illinois’ race to the bottom.

The 28-year-old Illinois State University (ISU) senior is running for chairman of the Illinois College Republican Federation (ICRF) on a platform of conservative values and a mission of “getting more good Republicans elected” across the state.

“I have seen firsthand the efforts the Democrats in this state have used to keep Illinois a top contender in a race to the bottom,” Bertschy wrote in his introductory profile on Facebook. “I hope to be a voice for all of Illinois strengthening and growing the ICRF throughout the state.”

For Bertschy, that all starts with a commitment to hard work and clear ideas.

“My parents instilled in me a work ethic that some say is hard to find in the new millennium,” he told the Peoria Standard. “I've always been told it seems like I'm 8 going on 40 in how serious I am about making things better.”

The top issues on Bertschy’s agenda are spreading the Republican message and improving the channels for doing so.

“We need better communication to make all our chapters healthier,” he said. "That's something that's long overdue."

Bertschy has done all he can to spread the word. He’s volunteered on several Republican campaigns across Illinois, and during the 2014 Republican Primary for president he did phone bank work for both the Donald Trump and Marco Rubio campaigns.

He's spending this summer in Washington, internng for Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and trying to learn about the legislative arm of government. 

Also a precinct committeeman who volunteered on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2014 campaign, Bertschy said his days sometimes become so busy he struggles to find time for everything.

“It’s hard going 24-7 all the time,” he said. “But I’ve been bitten by the campaign bug, and I know being a politician is what I want to do with my life. That makes everything seem manageable.”