Greg Abbott announced Thursday, July 9, his candidacy as a member of the DuPage County Board in District 3.

Abbott is a former Illinois assistant attorney general and currently practices law in Downers Grove.

“I believe District 3 can benefit from new leadership and new ideas to reduce spending,” Abbott said in a written statement. “I have already begun raising funds and assembling a team to help me walk the entire district.”

Abbott’s announcement comes two days after DuPage County Board Member Kyle Gilgis said she would be retiring Aug. 31 after 10 years of service. She also worked as the Downers Grove Township clerk for a decade prior to her election to the board.

Gilgis’ term does not expire until Nov. 30, 2010.

Abbott is also a committeeman in the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization.

In a news release sent out Thursday, Abbott, who describes himself as a fiscal conservative, said he is running on the platform of reduced spending, greater efficiency, making the county more business friendly and increased transparency in the government.