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Aurora businessman Jim Pilmer’s bid for a hotly contested seat in the Illinois General Assembly received a boost this week when a number of former elected officials and volunteer leaders endorsed the Republican Aurora Township trustee in his bid to succeed retiring Illinois Rep. Suzanne Deuchler (R-Aurora).

Former Congresswoman Charlotte T. Reid, former state Sen. Bob Mitchler, former Kane County Sheriff John Randall, former State’s Atty. Gary Johnson, former Montgomery Village President Ray Kozloski and former North Aurora Village President Dale Berman jointly issued a statement this week saying “it is time to let the next generation carry the message and ideals we have held dear for so long. Of all the candidates running, we feel that Jim is best prepared to do so.”

Pilmer, an Aurora insurance agent, is one of four Republicans seeking to succeed Deuchler, who is retiring after nine terms. Attorney Juan Thomas is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.