Big GOP Legislative Primary Looms in Central Illinois
Former congressional candidate Regan Deering and former McLean County GOP Chair Chuck Erickson will face off in a primary for the 88th House District next spring, which connects from Bloomington-Normal to Decatur.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
A Republican battle is on for an open downstate legislative seat and it could become one of the most hotly contested legislative primaries downstate in 2024.
After Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) announced he wouldn’t seek re-election next year, he quickly got behind former congressional candidate Regan Deering for the seat. Deering, of Decatur, is an heir to the Andreas family, which has generational ties to Archer Daniels Midland.
On Monday, McLean County Board Member and former McLean County GOP Chairman Chuck Erickson of Bloomington confirmed he’ll seek the seat as well, and he has the support of former Rep. Dan Brady and former Sen. Bill Brady.
"I have a proven track record of voting and supporting the very same values shared by the hard-working men and women of the 88th district, and I look forward to taking those values and my voting record to Springfield on their behalf," Erickson said in a statement.
Nearly 45% of vote in the district is from McLean County, while Macon County, Deering’s home, makes up about a third of the vote.
Deering has a slight fundraising advantage, having raised about $35,000 in the second quarter, though $20,000 of it came from Deering and her husband.
"I beat the establishment's hand-picked candidate before, and our grassroots movement will do whatever it takes to save our state," Deering said in a statement Monday that didn’t mention Erickson by name.
The 88th district also includes most of Piatt County and small parts of DeWitt and Livingston counties.