After two terms as a state representative, Dale Righter is looking to represent central Illinois in the state senate.

Righter is the Republican candidate for state senator from the 55th District. He will face Democrat Steve Thomas in the Nov. 5 general election.

Righter, who was born and raised in Mattoon, said a state senate seat will provide him a chance to do more for his constituents than in the state house.

Since there are fewer members in the senate, “it gives me an opportunity to play a greater role in the chamber in which (I’m) serving,” he said.

Also, he said, state senators serve a four-year term, which will allow him more time to focus on issues and his family than as a representative, where he has to run for reelection every two years.

“It gives you time to do a little more work, and a little less politicking,” he said.

As a state senator, Righter said he would continue to work on issues he tackled as a representative, including education and the economy.

One education issue Righter is particularly concerned with is the decision by the state legislature in this year’s state budget to end monetary assistance to college students in teacher’s education programs after four years.

“It typically takes five years to get a teacher’s ed. certificate,” said Righter, who voted against this year’s budget. “But we eliminated the fifth-year monetary assistance program. We have to restart that fifth year (assistance).”

The state legislature also needs to reform business and labor laws to improve the state economy, he said.

Righter offered the Hershey’s chocolate plant in Robinson as an example of how current Illinois laws discourage expanding and attracting new industry in the state.

Although the Robinson plant is one of 18 Hershey’s chocolate plants in the country, and has a stellar safety record, it is responsible for half the company’s workman’s compensation costs.

The state needs to shorten the time it takes to hear a workman’s compensation claim, Righter said, and crack down on those who abuse the system.

Unions may get scared over talk of reforms, Righter admitted, but having Illinois workers’ jobs exist at all is the paramount concern.

State legislators also need to involve themselves with local business organizations, such as Coles Together, he said.

“There is not enough emphasis placed on a partnership between local officials, like Coles Together, and state lawmakers,” he said. “(Legislators) need to signal that we’re ready to help however we can.'”

Righter said he puts the people he represents above his party.

On any issue, Righter said he travels throughout his district to sound out opinions from everyone from working families to nursing home residents.

“We’re taking that information (from talking to people) and when I go to Springfield, my background and knowledge originates in my district,” he said.

“I think my record demonstrates that I have stood up for or advocated for people not just in my district, but for downstate Illinois, regardless of party lines,” he said.

Another perk of winning a state senator’s seat, Righter said, is that he gets to represent the people he grew up with and lives with.

“It’s very nice to have the opportunity to represent the citizens of my home county and the area I grew up in,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for much more than that.”

Righter said that he has no plans for higher office than state senator at this point.

“I’ve got two little boys at home,” he said. “I would think that anyone in my position would be leery of being in a position where you’d spend less time at home.

“It’s very difficult to look beyond Nov. 5,” he said. “There are still a lot of people to get to know (in my district), and a lot of places to visit and learn about.”