Stephanie Kifowit, a 12-year state lawmaker from Oswego, entered Monday the still-growing race to become the Democratic nominee for state comptroller, a post incumbent Susana Mendoza is retiring from for a potential bid for Chicago mayor.

A former financial planner and Marine veteran, Kifowit’s tenure in the Illinois House has included serving on legislative spending panels, and she currently is chair of the House Personnel & Pensions Committee. The comptroller is the state’s top fiscal officer.

“Washington’s a bit dysfunctional these days and chaotic. Frankly, I think that we need a comptroller that has a bit of a backbone. I’ll be your fiscal drill instructor,” Kifowit said in her announcement video on social media. “I’ll bring integrity, strength of character and leadership to the

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