The man challenging incumbent 12th district congressman Mike Bost in the republican primary is working to get his message to voters.
Preston Nelson will hold a town hall meeting this weekend to discuss his campaign and answer questions.
The 27-year-old Benton man says he wants to bring truth and honesty back to Congress.
"More and more these days, politicians, they go to Washington, they get rich and they legislate according to the lobbyists. It's the fact of the matter these days and that needs to change."
If elected, Nelson would become the youngest member of the U.S. House. He says it could be an advantage.
"In fact, a lot of people have told me that it's great that I'm young and running and they say we need more young people in there. If anything, it helps me to get more attention and being as I'm not a heavily funded candidate; I need all the help getting attention I can get."
Nelson says he will hold another town hall next month in Mt. Vernon and he wants to schedule one in the Metro East before the March primary.
Nelson is hosting a town hall this Saturday from 3-5 p.m. at the Marion VFW. He has invited Congressman Bost to attend, but says he hasn't heard back from his camp.
The candidates seeking the 12th congressional district democratic nomination include Brendan Kelly of Swansea; David Bequette of Columbia and Charles Koen of Cairo. The Green Party candidate is Randy Auxier of Murphysboro.
