BRAD PALMER   WSIU  SEPT 20th 2019

A second democrat has jumped into the race to oust republican Mike Bost as the U.S. Representative from the 12th congressional district.

Former SIU administrator Ray Lenzi officially launched his campaign on Thursday evening in front of around 30 supporters at Carbondale City Hall.

“We say it’s really time to drain the swamp. We say it’s time to retire Mike Bost.”

Lenzi laid out a progressive agenda that he says is in stark contrast to Bost, the GOP incumbent. He says progress must be made on issues such as healthcare, gun violence , income inequality and others.

“The current government is not addressing the problems of the American people. We need an infrastructure bill, we have crumbling roads, all of those things. Then, we also have the climate crisis, where we really need action.”

He believes voters across the district are ready for his progressive agenda.

“I think the phenomenon we saw with the conservative surge in the last three cycles, let’s say, and particularly in the most recent, I think it’s waning.”

Joel Funk from Mascoutah announced his intention to run for the democratic nomination in the 12th district last month.