Clatterbuck Explains Reasons For Running For Congress In The 13th District

Thomas Clatterbuck

     “My name is Thomas Clatterbuck, and I am the Republican candidate in Illinois’ 13th Congressional district.
     The 13th runs from Urbana-Champaign to Springfield along I-72, then south to the Metro East.
America is faced with a historical moment. Technological innovations are presenting us with choices about what kind of future we want. These questions need answers right now.
We have to choose if self driving vehicles will trigger a manufacturing boom in the US, or if they will be another way China can spy on us.
     We have to choose if workers will have the right to say no to biometric scanning and implanted microchips, or if big business will be allowed to force these decisions on them.
We have to choose if we want an ecosystem of human artists enriching our lives, or if computers will be allowed to strip mine our creative commons.
     We have to choose if we will draw a hard line against automated weapons, or if we will unleash Skynet by playing with fire?
     Right now we have been given a window to act. Right now, the cost of our choices is at an all time low. But that window is closing, and the price is rising.
That’s why I’m running.
     My family moved to Jacksonville over 30 years ago, and I’ve lived in Central Illinois ever since. I attended the University of Illinois at both Urbana-Champaign and Springfield, and got a B.A. in history from UIS.
     After graduating, I took advantage of all the opportunities Springfield had to offer. I worked in the Springfield startup scene where I joined with other local entrepreneurs to start a watchdog media company. I worked in the courthouse helping people without lawyers get the legal information they needed to navigate the courts. And I joined my office union.
     When the Covid shutdown make in-person reporting impossible, I decided to go back to school to get a law degree. I wanted to do more than just tell people to call legal aid. In addition to campaigning, I’ll be finishing up my degree this spring.”