Metro East Sun

“Our state needs common-sense conservative leadership that we can trust,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Schimpf said at the Peoria and Woodford County Republican Party's Central Illinois GOP Governor Candidate Forum on April 25.

As a state representative from 2017 to 2021, Schimpf represented District 58 which includes Downers Grove.

The primary election is scheduled for June 28.

"I'm going to give you two reasons to support me," Schimpf said at the forum. "One, I have a legislative record that nobody else has. I voted against every tax increase, I voted pro-life, voted for a strong Second Amendment and parental control. Second, I'm the only one on this stage who has won an election against a major Democrat while being outspent. That is what it's all about. JB Pritzker is a threat to the health of our state. He is a threat to our children's future and we have to beat JB Pritzker."

Schimpf participated in the Marine Corps Law Education Program and attended Southern Illinois University School of Law.

“I worked on the Saddam Hussein trial when I was in Iraq,” Schimpf said. “Once you’ve worked with the ace of spades in Bagdad, you’re just really not intimidated by the Pritzker Administration, the Madigans, any of that stuff.”

Schimpf face formidable opposition in the Republican primary.

Businessman Gary Rabine has raised $1.1 million for his campaign, since Jan. 1, attorney Schimpf has raised $79,000, attorney Max Solomon has raised $8,500, Army veteran Jesse Sullivan has raised $1.3 million and Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has raised $1.3 million.

The State Journal-Resiger reported two Republicans were pulled from the primary ballot, Keisha Smith and Emily Johnson. Smith’s name was removed because she didn’t list a lieutenant governor candidate when she filed to run. Johnson, and her running mate, Brett Mahlen, were removed over petition sheet issues.