State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana) announced her re-election bid Thursday morning at the Illini Union.

Jakobsson is seeking her second term in 103rd Illinois House District, after defeating incumbent Republican Tom Berns during the Nov. 2002 election.

Jakobsson said if she was elected to a second term, she would continue to fight for the University, the economy and environmental protection, among other things.

But her critics say she has not been protecting the University's interests, as promised.

"If you take a look at her voting records, particularly on higher education bills, you see she has not voted in the best interests of the University," said College Republicans President Victoria Cosentino.

Cosentino said she believes Republican candidate Deb Feinen would do an excellent job of protecting the University.

Feinen, a Champaign County Board member, announced her candidacy in August. Cosentino said as far as she is aware everyone in the Champaign County Republican party is supporting Feinen.

But Jim Monti, president of Students for Naomi Jakobsson, said there is a misconception that Jakobsson has not been helping the University because of the state funding cuts, when funding cuts are affecting schools across the state.

"She has definitely fought to minimize cuts for the University," Monti said.

Over the last couple of months, both the College Democrats and College Republicans have been helping collect petition signatures for their respective candidates.

Petitions need to be turned in to the County Clerk's office between Dec. 8 and Dec. 15.