Sam McCann
Encyclopedia
William "Sam" McCann is the Republican
challenger running for the Illinois Senate
, representing the 49th district in the central Illinois
. He is challenging incumbent Democrat
Deanna Demuzio
, who was appointed after the passing of her husband, Sen. Vince Demuzio
, and then elected in 2006. That year, this seat was regarded as having the greatest potential for a GOP pick-up, in the state senate. 2006 was a strong Democrat year however, and ILGOP nominee Jeff Richey
failed to defeat Demuzio. For the 2010 election however, this state senate race is regarded by both parties as extremely competitive.
. Though he was scheduled to begin boot camp in April 1990, he suffered a construction injury during that time, damaging his spinal cord
. Due to the length of time needed for the recovery, the Marines released McCann from duty.
for ten years, serving as President of the Springfield Area Home Builders Association (SAHBA) in 2004, and as President of the Home Builders Association of Illinois (HBAI) in 2007. The McCann Construction Company was named Builder of the Year in Springfield by the SAHBA in 2004 and Builder of the Year for Illinois by HBAI in 2005.
McCann also serves on the Advisory Board of the Illinois Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, and is a member of several Chamber of Commerce
chapters.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
challenger running for the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
, representing the 49th district in the central Illinois
Central Illinois
Central Illinois is a region of the U.S. state of Illinois that consists of the entire central section of the state, divided in thirds from north to south. It is an area of mostly flat prairie. The western section was originally part of the Military Tract of 1812 and forms the distinctive western...
. He is challenging incumbent Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Deanna Demuzio
Deanna Demuzio
Deanna Demuzio is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 49th District since she was appointed in May 2004 after the death of her husband, Senate Majority Leader Vince Demuzio....
, who was appointed after the passing of her husband, Sen. Vince Demuzio
Vince Demuzio
Vince Demuzio was an Illinois State Senator who died while in office. At the time, he was the most senior member of the Illinois Senate. He had once been chair of the Illinois Democratic Party....
, and then elected in 2006. That year, this seat was regarded as having the greatest potential for a GOP pick-up, in the state senate. 2006 was a strong Democrat year however, and ILGOP nominee Jeff Richey
Jeff Richey
Jeff Richey currently serves as an Alderman on the City Council in Taylorville, Illinois where he is Chairman of the Ordainance Committee, and serves on the Finance, Street, Sewer, and Emergency Services Committees....
failed to defeat Demuzio. For the 2010 election however, this state senate race is regarded by both parties as extremely competitive.
Early Life and Education
Sam McCann's father died when he was only 7 years old. He attended Lewis & Clark Community College and Blackburn College. On November 29, 1989, Sam signed a contract with the U.S. Marine Corps and took his oath at the St. Louis MEPSUnited States Military Entrance Processing Command
The United States Military Entrance Processing Command is a Major Command of the Department of Defense, which screens and processes applicants into the United States Armed Forces...
. Though he was scheduled to begin boot camp in April 1990, he suffered a construction injury during that time, damaging his spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
. Due to the length of time needed for the recovery, the Marines released McCann from duty.
Work
Since 1993, McCann has been the President of his own construction company. He has been a member of the National Association of Home BuildersNational Association of Home Builders
The National Association of Home Builders is one of the largest trade associations in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NAHB's mission is "to enhance the climate for housing and the building industry...
for ten years, serving as President of the Springfield Area Home Builders Association (SAHBA) in 2004, and as President of the Home Builders Association of Illinois (HBAI) in 2007. The McCann Construction Company was named Builder of the Year in Springfield by the SAHBA in 2004 and Builder of the Year for Illinois by HBAI in 2005.
McCann also serves on the Advisory Board of the Illinois Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, and is a member of several Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
chapters.