Stoller Out, But Replacing Him Could Be a Mess
Sen. Win Stoller (R-East Peoria) announced Tuesday he won’t seek re-election in 2024.
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Sen. Win Stoller (R-East Peoria) announced Tuesday he won’t seek re-election next year, the second Senate Republican to do so in 2024.
The redrawn 37th Senate District.
Stoller blamed redistricting for much of his frustration. His district was gerrymandered around the Peoria area and continues north of Dixon, Rochelle, and DeKalb, more than 100 miles end to end.
“My home in Germantown Hills is at the southern tip of the new Senate District. I have been putting in a demanding schedule to serve the constituents and will continue to do so until my term ends, but the time has come to examine whether this pace is sustainable for another four-year term and to consider what is best for the people in this district,” Stoller said in a statement. “I only know one way to do this job and that is all out, striving to serve with excellence.”
Stoller did not return a message from The Illinoize Tuesday.
Stoller and former Senator Chuck Weaver engineered his election to the Senate in 2020 when both men filed petitions for the seat and Weaver withdrew shortly before the filing deadline.
In 2022, Stoller beat back a primary from Dixon insurance salesman Brett Nicklaus by a 51-49% tally, a difference of just 533 votes. Nicklaus was supported by now House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), who herself considered challenging Stoller until legislative map drafts were finalized in 2021.
Stoller has been involved in a long running Peoria-area Republican feud between a camp led by former Congressman and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, his son, incumbent Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria), and Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) and those aligned with former Aaron Schock Chief of Staff and political operative Steve Shearer, former Sen. Chuck Weaver, and Stoller.
It is expected the two sides will play a role in a potential primary.
But, Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said Tuesday night he will seek re-election to the House and will not run for the seat. 23-year-old freshman Rep. Brad Fritts (R-Dixon) represents the other half of the district. He did not return a message Tuesday on his interest in the seat.
One name to keep an eye on is former Rep. Tom Demmer. Demmer built a regional base in his decade in the House before running unsuccessfully for State Treasurer in 2022. Demmer is still sitting on around $300,000 in campaign cash (if you count investments), which would make him an immediate favorite for the seat.
Demmer said Tuesday night he’ll think about running for the Senate.