Two dozen municipal leaders endorse Schock
<p align="justify">State Rep. Aaron Schock said his campaign for Congress was boosted Thursday by endorsements from two dozen municipal leaders in Woodford and Tazewell counties.
<p align="justify">
<p align="justify">If elected, the Peoria Republican vowed to represent the views of the district, advocate for the economic interests of constituents through infrastructure dollars or funding for essential local programs and providing constituent work.
<p align="justify">
<p align="justify">"Aaron is a born leader and other leaders recognize that. Aaron is a proven winner. Aaron is the right man at the right time to represent us in Washington," said Demetra DeMonte, chairwoman of the Tazewell County Republican Party, one of 13 county Republican Party chairpersons in the 18th District lending their individual support to Schock.
<p align="justify">
<p align="justify">Included in the endorsements are the mayors and entire city councils in East Peoria and Metamora. In Eureka, the mayor and most aldermen pledged support, and mayors of Woodford County municipalities El Paso, Germantown Hills, Goodfield, Roanoke and 17 other city council members joined the Schock bandwagon.
<p align="justify">
<p align="justify">Metamora Mayor Paul Kouri said he's supporting Schock because he's demonstrated character, hard work ethic and leadership experience.
<p align="justify">
<p align="justify">"Aaron has proven to work on both sides of the aisle. While all the shenanigans go on in Springfield, Aaron has demonstrated he doesn't play the games and keeps focused on the issues at hand," Kouri said.
<p align="justify">
<p align="justify">Schock is seeking the GOP nomination Feb. 5 for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria. He is running against Heartland Partnership CEO Jim McConoughey and John Morris, a former Peoria city councilman.
<p align="justify">
<p align="center">Karen McDonald can be reached at (309) 686-3285 or kmcdonald@pjstar.com.