Ex-Elgin official wants old job back

Remember the November 2008 state election?

It could be déjà vu all over again in November 2010 - at least in Elgin.

Ruth Munson, an Elgin Republican who was ousted last fall from her seat as the 43rd District state representative, is running for her old job again.

Munson said on facebook.com that she is definitely setting her sights on Springfield again.

She also has launched a campaign Web site and has organized at least two dates to collect voter signatures so she can get on the primary election ballot for February.

"What I'm most excited about is the level of support I have in this community," said Munson, who was appointed to the seat in December 2002 and re-elected in 2004 and 2006. "I've never stopped being involved in the community, from when I moved here to this day."

Munson said her primary focus will be on helping create more jobs for Elgin and the state, along with responsible budgeting and transparency in spending.

Democrat Keith Farnham beat Munson last year by a margin of 322 votes, 12,911 to 12,589.

Although he's only been in office since January, Farnham said he intends to seek another term.

He said he's worked hard to help create jobs, strengthen the state's Freedom of Information Act laws, ensure veterans receive good care, and proposed ethics reform.

Farnham recently proposed an amendment to the state's constitution that would tie any state spending increase to a five-year average increase of people's incomes. If incomes decrease, so must state spending. It also would mandate creation of a rainy-day fund to be used during an economic downturn.

"It's a major change to the constitution that would affect the budgeting process," he said.

The 43rd House district includes parts of Elgin, South Elgin, East Dundee and Carpentersville.