South West Illinois News

After winning the Republican primary, Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) says he is looking forward to serving the people of Illinois in Springfield.

"Thank you Southern Illinois! I look forward to continuing to serve you in Springfield as your conservative State Representative!" Jacobs posted on Facebook June 28.

Jacobs will be running unopposed in the general election.

Leading up to the primary election, Jacobs had earned several endorsements, including that of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Carbondale). "Paul is a conservative, there is no doubt, but yet he's still able to get things done having to work with a Democrat-controlled majority in a very wise way," Bost said in the video. "You'll never see him vote for a tax increase, and he understands what it's like to sign both sides of the paycheck. That's right: working business, growing business, putting people to work. He's done it in many ways, and he's done a great job for you in Springfield. That's why he's received my endorsement. He's been a longtime friend. He's a friend not only to me, but a friend of all of southern Illinois and a friend to you."

He had also been endorsed by Associated Builders and Contractors of Illinois, the Illinois Federation for Right to Life, Illinois Citizens for Life and Illinois Family Action.

In early June, Jacobs leaned on his anti-abortion beliefs and his occupation as an optometrist. "I am a pro-life Republican and the only physician of any kind serving in the Illinois General Assembly," Jacobs wrote on his website. "I value life and worked for forty years to improve the quality of life for my patients, both young and old."