A candidate for state representative who came within a single percentage point of winning office last November wants a rematch.

Republican Liz Bishop of La Salle has announced her run to unseat Democratic freshman Amy Murri Briel of Ottawa. The two duked it out last fall in a tight race in a J-shaped district drawn by the Democratic majority in Springfield. In the end, the numbers were too close to call on election night, and it was days before Briel was declared the winner of the 76^thDistrict State Representative seat.

Bishop says she’s running because many decisions in Springfield are made by politicians more focused on power games than on day-to-day challenges. Bishop says the cost of living is breaking families across the district. And, she says, Springfield responds by raising taxes and legislators’ salaries. She says she sees widespread frustration across La Salle, DeKalb and Bureau counties over the Democrats’ super-majority under the dome. Bishop says – quote – “Voters are waking up. They now know exactly who represents them in Springfield – and they’re not impressed.”

Candidates have begun circulating ballot petitions. It may be hard to believe, but the next election will be the Illinois spring primary on March 17. Early voting will start February 5.

Bishop is currently the La Salle City Clerk.