Kyle McCarter announces campaign for Congress Securing Freedom, Liberty and Opportunity for the Future
Lebanon, IL – Saying it’s time for new leadership to restore, renew and recapture the bright promise of America, State Senator Kyle McCarter of Lebanon announced Wednesday his intention to run for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 15th District of Illinois.
“This is a very conservative district that believes we should protect life; that believes in the Second Amendment, and believes in limited government and free market principles of economic opportunity for all,” said McCarter. “Ronald Reagan described the heart of American conservatism as, ‘The common sense and common decency of ordinary men and women, working out their own lives in their own way.’ That’s also the heart of the 15th District.”
McCarter, who has served in the Illinois Senate since 2009, said the promise of America has been undermined in recent years by policies and practices that fight against and undermine traditional values. He said it’s time to turn around Washington.
“What we have witnessed in recent years is not how our country was designed to work,” said McCarter. “The burdens of government have grown ̧ in spite of the opposition by a majority of Americans. The federal government has imposed thousands of new rules and regulations, and billions of dollars in new taxes. It has overstepped its bounds and has done so without our consent. Of all the places in Illinois, the place that should have the loudest, strongest voice in Washington is the 15th District, but I don’t see that happening. Respectively, 20 years is enough. It’s time that someone like myself step up and really defend the people of this district.”
McCarter likened the challenging of a long-time incumbent in the race to David versus Goliath, but he said a tough campaign is worth the struggle because the end result will be good for families and communities, and good for businesses and the economy.
“If the last 8 years have showed us anything, it’s showed us we need new blood in Washington,” said McCarter. “We need to ‘Turnaround Washington.’ We need people who think differently, who haven’t given up on the traditional American principles and qualities that made our nation great. We need leaders with energy who are not in Washington to make a career of the Capital, but who are working to improve the lives of citizens today, and to secure a bright, promising and hopeful future for generations to come.”
McCarter said Freedom and Liberty for today and tomorrow includes vigilance and perseverance.
“Unlike what has been happening in recent years, I refuse to compromise on Freedom and Liberty, said McCarter. “We need to return to the traditional American principles that are the bedrock foundation upon which our nation was built.”
McCarter said the nation’s founding documents give the people unique power and authority because the Freedom and Liberty the documents detail are recognized as coming from the “Creator.” McCarter said rights come from God; they are not given to us by the government, which means the people are in charge of their destiny, not a group of individuals in Washington D.C.
“If you feel you have been ignored by Washington; if you feel no one has been fighting for you or will give voice to your concerns and hopes for the future, then walk with me and run with me to win this race,” said McCarter.
Illinois’ 15th Congressional District is comprised of all or parts of 33 counties: Bond, Champaign, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Moultrie, Pope, Richland, Saline, Shelby, Vermillion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne and White.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:35 pm:
Unfortunately in our history too many “ordinary men and women” have not had “common decency” towards their fellow citizens. Competitive campaigns are a good thing, but a contest for how far right reactionary a district can be is not.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:36 pm:
I didn’t see any references to apple pie and baseball. Wow, McCarter is going to make America great again. He did such a great job with Illinois.
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:38 pm:
Just what Illinois needs — another Tea Party representative to keep our nation from pulling together for true compromise.
- too obvious - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:44 pm:
Absolutely love it when 2 ineffective politicians spend months clawing each other’s eyes out. Good stuff.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:47 pm:
Wow. The explanation of everything he believes in is a pretty good endorsement of the incumbent. I guess the old circus just needs a fresh clown.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
Based on Reagan’s governing record, I suspect he’d consider much of what passes today for “conservatism” as anarchic lunacy.
- LincolnLounger - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
33 counties. Ye Gods.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
Can someone please tell McCarter he’s had his 15 minutes of fame? He may want to fight you when you do, but that isn’t much to concern yourself with either.
- ChrisB - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:07 pm:
–make a career of the Capital,–
Uh, everybody should do that. Use capital to make goods and create wealth. That’s like, the basis of our economic system.
Unless he’s talking about the Capitol. In which case, he should spend a little capital on a proofreader.
If you can’t spell the building’s name, you probably shouldn’t work there.
- MasterPiece - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:14 pm:
Respectively? What does that mean?
- Say It Ain't So!! - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
“He said it’s time to turn around Washington.” Rauner’s policies go national!
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:29 pm:
The first 4 comments were point on and “turnaround Washington” is good as well. Nothing to add at this time except to reference my comments made here yesterday.
Can’t wait to see how this race develops.
- GraduatedCollegeStudent - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:32 pm:
===McCarter said rights come from God; they are not given to us by the government, which means the people are in charge of their destiny, not a group of individuals in Washington D.C.===
You’re going to try to out-religious right a Southern Illinois District LCMS Lutheran. We’re going to need circus music for this race.
- Betsy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:34 pm:
Think Will Ferrell playing George W. Bush from SNL days reading this press release aloud. For some reason, that popped in my head as I read this. Strategery!
- walker - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:49 pm:
Might take the pumpkin pie for the most empty talking points in one press release this year.
What Reagan called “common sense Conservative” does not at all describe the specifics McCarter and friends are pushing.
He’ll help achieve a “turnaround” in Washington? Like he’s doing here?
- the217 - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
I love that the press release and him are from Lebanon. Not even in the district.
- Stutu - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
Did you read Scott Reeder’s interview with McCarter about voting against the heroin Medicaid expansion even though his daughter died from an overdose? McCarter walks his talk; lives by his principles.
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
GraduatedCollegeStudent - you are so correct. McCarter, if my memory is correct graduated from Oral Robert University and John Shimkus is LCMS.
Circus music may work, but maybe what would add even more would be a unique candidate that could really work a crowd. I can remember going to a Ken Gray chicken dinner many, many years ago. Ken flew in on his helicopter and came into the “circus tent” where we were eating and began singing gospel songs and working the crowd like few people ever could.
I honestly do not see either if these flawed candidates being able to even come close to this legend.
- Ed - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 1:54 pm:
Are there any copy editors in Lebanon?
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:03 pm:
Ok, I admit I hadn’t read the press release when I posted my now deleted comments. But I have read it now and honestly, I thought McCarter was more literate than this poorly written bit of tripe. It’s not just Capitol vs. Capital. The headline is a run-on sentence and the whole release is poorly written. Cmon Kyle - you’ve wanted to do this for years. The least you could do is sent out a well-written piece for your announcement.
- A guy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
Kyle McCarter announces and a “hush” falls over the space where there is no crowd.
- Austin Blvd - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
Well, it would be interesting to see a Pat Robertson clone in Congress.
- DonaldTrump - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
Yeah, he’s no Bobby Rush.
- Chief of Staff - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:12 pm:
This press release was really well done. I think McCarter will do great with the editorial boards.
- Former Hoosier - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:14 pm:
Re: McCarter’s voting against Medicaid expansion to include heroin treatment. It’s great if McCarter believes in religion as a treatment for heroin addiction. That’s his right. However, he’s using his religious beliefs to make public policy decisions. Last time I checked, religious therapy is not a standard of care for heroin addiction. So, if he wins the U.S. Rep. race, we can assume that he will make similar religious based decisions, instead of evidenced based decisions.
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:19 pm:
Former Hoosier - and isn’t that what John Shimkus has been doing as well?
Have to leave for 2 hours - will check back later. This hits close to home and I will be interested and will comment when appropriate.
- HaroldJones - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
McCarter is mid term in the Illinois Senate and in safe gerrymandered seat, so why not run to turn America aroun? Afterall, Kyle has done so much to turn Illinois around. The good news — win or lose Kyle still collects a cushy government paycheck! Who ever said “government doesn’t pay” was doing it wrong.
- Former Hoosier - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:32 pm:
illini- I have to plead ignorance. I’m from Cook County and haven’t followed Shimkus. If he too is using his religious beliefs to set public policy, I’m not O.K. with that. Everyone is welcome to personally practice their own religious beliefs, however, to use them to set public policy (especially when personal beliefs are not in keeping with evidenced based findings) is unacceptable to me.
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
Former Hoosier - point in fact JS denies climate change and denies the fact that it is man made and points to the Bible to substantiate his position on this and numerous other issues. And by the way, I am LCMS as well ( as was the late Sen. Paul Simon ), but I guess some of us do digress from the orthodoxy espoused by some in positions of influence and leadership.
Finally out of here for a bit.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:40 pm:
Saying it’s time for new leadership to restore, renew and recapture the bright promise of America…
Blah, blah, freakin’ blah. What a bunch of hooey. How intelligent does he think voters aren’t?
I am supposed to be his target and he communicates to me like I am someone he can spoon feed.
What? No mention of closing down rest areas to help balance our budget a-la-Indiana?
- Vole - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
EPA set the mercury standards emitted in southern IL coal fired power plants way too high. That bounty from the creator has gone to these good old boys’ heads.
- Former Hoosier - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 2:56 pm:
I gotta love France. They work at keeping the separation of church and state. Wow, McCarter is blending the best (snark) of Trump with his “recapture the bright promise of America” and Rauner with the “Turnaround Washington”. How can he miss with those two beliefs! And, VanMan…don’t even get us started with the whole race to the bottom to be like Indiana!
- Empty Suit - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
I always love it when people complain and do nothing..but complain and do nothing.
Empty Suit aka Yoggi Berra
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 3:47 pm:
Cynic, as penalty for your deletions, you should have to diagram each sentence in the press release.
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:08 pm:
This will be a joke. Unlike, John O. Jones, who forgot he needed to collect enough signatures to be on the ballot, Cong. Shimkus will be on the ballot, will continue to raise money, and will continue to be elected in this conservative district. Most of the district believes as Shimkus does that global warming was a hoax that ended up having to rename itself - now “Climate Change” - and, as a whole, are God-fearing people. Shimkus has worked the district constantly since being elected, and he’ll begin the campaign cycle with close to $2 million in the bank if he has an opponent. This is a fools errand for McCarter, but he just must think he’s that good. Might actually be fun to watch this one go over the cliff…
- the old man - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:33 pm:
First Kyle wanted to be Lt. Gov. and did not get a whiff, then he wanted to be Director of Central Management Services, didn’t get that either, then he ran for Senate Minority Leader and guess what, those who know him best said “NO WAY”. So now he wants to be a Congressman–you have to be kidding me. As a republican I want to be the first to apologize to the citizens of Southern Illinois for this embarrassment.
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 4:47 pm:
the old man - yeah, he “represents” me as well.
But since Sen. Dave was pushed out of WashCo and Kyle was anointed as my Sen. I have had nothing more than perfunctory responses to my inquiries, much less respond to my comments or questions.
Looks like a train wreck about to happen - but I have little use for either!
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:46 pm:
This race is definitely going to be one for me to watch - and I am involved.
I hope I will have an opportunity to comment further on this topic, and hopefully my comments will be to the point and appropriate to the posting.
But are there any Dems considering entering this race ( and I do not mean Angela Michael ) that could make the General even more interesting?
Keep us informed - and thank you for your service Rich.
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 5:55 pm:
The only thing that could be better would be if Jason decided to run as well - sorry Willy, but we may not have as much to talk about with this race - but time will tell!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 6:26 pm:
- illini -,
Some stuff writes itself…
- North end of 15 - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 6:30 pm:
The northern end of the 15th district is far different than the southern counties. A large portion of the population is found in Vermilion, Champaign, Edgar, Douglas and Coles counties. These are conservative voters, but the not extreme group that McCarter will need to have a chance.
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 7:04 pm:
Willy - you are right - lets both keep an eye on this Primary - could be fruitful and telling.
- Vandalia - Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 7:47 pm:
As I said yesterday, this race will be won handily by Shimkus. McCarthy is out of his league in this race. I totoo was s wondering if a Democrat was running. I haven’t heard of anyone. I don’t believe Shimkus would lose a race against a Democrat either as the district is too conservative and has trended red more and more with each election cycle.