Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – When you are running against an incumbent, the issue of name recognition usually looms large. Judy Bowlby and Ryan Tebrugge told the WTAX Morning Newswatch about their experiences in the 15th District Republican primary against local U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Hindsboro).

“As I have gone throughout the district, what I find is a lot of people don’t even know her,” said Bowlby. “She doesn’t seem to show up at town hall meetings, she doesn’t return phone calls or answer emails. So, there is an absence of her, in essence, from people who live in the 15th District.”

“The party leadership has not been actively involved in trying to push new candidates, and I think that’s disingenuous,” said Tebrugge. “People either love Mary, hate Mary, or have absolutely no clue who she is. And I think that’s indicative, no matter from Quincy to Edgar County, down in Paris, to Madison County.”

Miller did not respond to requests for an interview.