South West Illinois News

Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation and Knight Hawk Coal have endorsed Paul Schimpf in his run for State Senate in Illinois’ 58th District, adding to the growing number of organizations rallying behind the retired U.S. Marine.

Earlier this month, Schimpf, who recently opened a campaign office in Monroe County, named Don Welge, CEO of Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, and Steve Carter, CEO of Knight Hawk Coal, as “honorary chairs” of his election campaign.

Gilster-Mary Lee is headquartered in Chester, Illinois and is a leading private label food manufacturer with more than 500 brands producing more than 8,000 products. The manufacturing giant also produces a line of hospitality brand food items and employs approximately 4,000 employees in 15 manufacturing facilities in four states.

Knight Hawk Coal, which set a company coal production record of 4.9 million tons in 2014, is a leader in the coal industry and employs approximately 400 people.

These two recent endorsements are in addition to support Schimpf has received from key conservative groups.

“I am proud to announce that I have received the endorsement of ABATE PAC,” Schimpf wrote on his Facebook page. “ABATE is a great organization that advocates for the freedom and safety of motorcyclists, and I am humbled by their support.”

Schimpf also has received an endorsement from ACTIVATOR, the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Political Involvement Fund.

“I am proud to have the endorsement of the Illinois Farm Bureau ACTIVATOR committee,” Schimpf announced via Facebook. “It is the farmer, not the EPA bureaucrat, who knows what is best for their land. And it is the farmer, not the politician in Springfield, who drives our Southwestern Illinois economy.”

Schimpf is vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville), who has endorsed Schimpf for the position. The Republican candidate believes in limited government, individual freedom, religious liberty and respect for life.