South West Illinois News

Republican Paul Schimpf, a retired Marine and lawyer, is running for state Senate with the aim of bringing “common-sense” legislating, conservative values and integrity to the state and to the 58th District, which covers Monroe, St. Clair, Randolph, Perry, Jackson, Union and Jefferson counties.

“The Illinois budget impasse is the greatest issue facing the Land of Lincoln,” Schimpf recently told Southwest Illinois News. “As a result, the budget can only be solved through a menu of options and all options need to be on the table. We must do our level best to work with both sides of the aisle, to reclaim Illinois' preeminent spot at the top of America's economic engines.”

Schimpf also explained that he is only going to make two promises for his first term: work hard and be honest.

“By doing both of these and advocating for the southern Illinois conservative causes of being pro-life, pro-family and pro-gun, we'll move our region forward," he said. "Ideological culture warriors are not going to achieve much in the Illinois General Assembly. That is just not the nature of this now-purple state."

Schimpf firmly believes that the next state senator for the 58th District needs to embody the values of Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, who isn't running for re-election. Luechtefeld has endorsed Schimpf's candidacy.

“The senator's common-sense approach to legislating is what I want to continue if the voters will support my candidacy," Schimpf said.

Former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon is Schimpf’s current opponent in the senate race.

“Ms. Simon served as Pat Quinn's second-in-command as Illinois saw its national presence fall,” Schimpf said. “She comes from an Illinois pedigree where both of her parents served in the General Assembly. She has led the charge for some of the state's most extreme groups when it comes to being against our true southern Illinois values.”

Schimpf also questions Simon's approach to governing. 

“When it comes to a common-sense approach to governing, I have repeatedly seen her approach, which represents the corrupt traditions that House Speaker Michael Madigan and his Chicago ward bosses exhibit," he said.

Schimpf is confident he can bring integrity to the senate seat in a way Simon cannot.

“The men and women have already trusted me for the 24 years that I served in the United States Marine Corps," he said. "They trusted me as I led men as a young infantry officer. They trusted me as I served as one of our nation's advisers on the Saddam Hussein Trial. I hope to earn their trust as I seek a term as their 58th District state senator.”