McCombie Weighing House or Senate Race in New District
Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) says she’s planning to move to another county in advance of the 2022 primary, but still may face a GOP primary for House or Senate.
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Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) tells The Illinoize she’s likely to move and seek election in a new district next year, though it’s not clear yet if it will be for the House and Senate.
Under the Democrat-enacted redistricting plan, McCombie was drawn into the same district as fellow Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport).
McCombie said Thursday she’s planning to move a few miles south to Whiteside County. She currently represents much of that county, including Sterling and Rock Falls.
Under the new maps, if they withstand court challenges or aren’t changed by Democrats later this year, both the House and Senate have incumbent Republicans representing Whiteside County.
Current Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) lives in the new 74th District and Sen. Win Stoller (R-East Peoria) lives in the 37th Senate District. Demmer, of course, is considering seeking higher office next year, and may leave an open seat for McCombie to win in what would become a heavily Republican open seat.
If Demmer seeks re-election, it may force McCombie into a Senate race against Stoller, a freshman, who represents much of the rural area in the new Senate district. He loses some Peoria-area communities like Metamora and Dunlap under the new map. Stoller, we’re told, is popular among Senate Republicans and would likely have the backing of Senate GOP Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods).
“I have yet to decide if I am running for House or Senate,” McCombie texted me yesterday. “One thing I know is I’m not done yet.”
Neither Demmer or Stoller returned messages about their plans.