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Schimpf talks coal at KHC

Posted July 28, 2016 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

CUTLER -- Flanked by more than 60 second-shift miners, and with Knight Hawk Coal's Prairie Eagle mine as a backdrop, 58th Senate District candidate Paul Schimpf professed his support for coal during a 15-minute news conference on Thursday.

As he has done previously during his campaign, Schimpf linked his opponent, Carbondale Democrat Sheila Simon, to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and the policies of President Barack Obama's administration.

"Unfortunately, our Southern Illinois coal industry is under attack," he said. "Progressive politicians have put a target on the coal industry - we all know how bad President (Barack) Obama has been for the coal industry - we also know that the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, a few months ago, bragged that she, if elected, was going to put coal miners and coal mines out of business."

Schimpf said the region needs a state senator who will defend the Southern Illinois coal industry and understand its importance to the region.

"(Simon) has actually said that Hillary Clinton is 'amazingly qualified' to be president," Schimpf said. "You cannot care about the economic well-being of southwestern Illinois and support Hillary Clinton.

"It just doesn't work that way, it just doesn't make any logical sense."

Schimpf also appeared to reference the tone of the national campaign between Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

"I think we need to turn down the level of toxicity and personal insults in politics," Schimpf said, stating one of the reasons why he's involved in politics. "One of the ways we do that is by actually pointing out the bright-line policy differences between candidates."

Schimpf is battling Simon, a former Illinois lieutenant governor who served under Gov. Pat Quinn, for the seat of retiring State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) in the November 8 general election.

Luechtefeld has previously expressed his support for Schimpf, who is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel.

"Between now and Nov. 8, my campaign is going to roll out a series of reasons why you, the voters, should choose me to be your next state senator," Schimpf said. "And we're calling it 'Six Reasons to Pick Paul in 2016.'"

Schimpf said those reasons will allow voters to see the differences between himself and Simon on a variety of issues.

"There's no need for personal insults in this race," he said. "This race is about bright-line choices between two candidates who are at very different places on the political spectrum."

Schimpf noted that his list would be counted down "David Letterman style" as the election approaches and his sixth reason was unveiled at the news conference.

"I will be the best advocate, the best supporter, the best defender, of the Southern Illinois coal industry," he said, noting that coal is one of the economic engines that makes the 58th Senate district go.

Schimpf was introduced by Knight Hawk Coal President Steve Carter, who made brief remarks and thanked the assembled miners for their hard work and dedication.

"It's an important election, we need all the help we can get," said Carter, who referred to the Waterloo Republican as a "dear friend of ours." "Particularly in Springfield as well as Washington.

"This race here is very dear to us and we're happy to have Paul running to replace a dear friend in Dave Luechtefeld."

Carter noted that the state's coal industry has lost 30 percent of its production during the past year and is down 500 million tons since 2011. KHC employs a little under 400 people, with another 300 through trucking contracts.

Schimpf said if he's elected, he would work to "roll back" some of the state's coal regulations that are more burdensome than federal regulations.

"I'm going to make it my mission to try to protect the Southern Illinois coal industry from the regulators and the (Illinois) attorney general's office and the progressives that have put a target on your back," he said.

While asking the crowd how they could trust any politician, Schimpf brought up his military record and 24 years of service with the Marines.

"You were trusting me for the 24 years I was on active duty in the United States military," Schimpf said. "You trusted me when I went to the United States Naval Academy to get a good education and not waste your tax dollars.

"You actually trusted me when I was an infantry officer to make sure the young Marines and sailors under my command were kept safe and well-trained."

Schimpf later took questions from the media and the miners in attendance, one of whom asked if he was supporting Trump.

"I am voting against Hillary Clinton," Schimpf said.

Another miner asked Schimpf about his opinion regarding whether the Obama administration is "tearing down" the nation's military.

Schimpf noted that the military is more "politically correct" now than when he got out.

"The focus is no longer on winning battles and winning wars," he said. "It is being politically correct and that is a great concern."

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