Voters should send Johnson back to D.C.

Fairly representing a diverse district like the Illinois' 15th is no easy task. While predominantly a conservative area, strong Democratic bases scattered throughout make it difficult to keep everyone happy.

Faced with such a dilemma, a responsible representative has to keep his constituents' concerns at the forefront. For this reason, we think that voters should choose congressman Tim Johnson to continue to represent us in Washington.

After going 10 years without one, the U.S. Congress finally passed an increase in the federal minimum wage in 2007. Johnson joined with Democrats in voting for the bill, which was eventually coupled with tax breaks for small businesses.

He also cast the sole Republican vote in the House against the controversial FISA bill that contained a provision that granted immunity to telecommunication companies against lawsuits stemming from their participation in the much criticized warrantless wiretapping that the Bush administration utilized.

Explaining his opposition to the bill because of concerns about encroachments on civil liberties is especially important during the troubles this University has grappled with.

His independence from the administration was also felt locally as he fought for the now-stalled FutureGen plant that was supposed to be based in Mattoon, Ill. While the project's future is cloudy, thanks to the opposition of the Energy Department, this district will need someone who has fought for it before to fight for it again.

Johnson has also shown leadership in trying to resolve the ongoing budget mess unfolding in Springfield. Last month, as the outcry concerning the closing of state parks raged thanks to the governor's budget cuts, Johnson contacted the U.S. park service and found that the state may not be able to close some of them without losing federal matching funds.

Despite being the incumbent, there is little evidence that he has "gone Washington." He spends a great deal of time in the area and keeps in good contact with his constituents. He can also frequently be found working out on campus.

His challenger, political newcomer Steve Cox, simply does not make a convincing case that he will be a more effective alternative. He cannot match Johnson's deep roots to the community that include two degrees from the University, a stint on the Urbana City Council and more than two decades serving as the area's representative in the Illinois Statehouse.

While we don't agree with all of his views, voters have more than enough reason to send Tim Johnson back to Congress.