* KFVS…
Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler announced he will not be seeking reelection on Friday morning, July 25.
In a release, State Sen. Fowler said he will not be seeking reelection as State Senator of the 59th District because of a promise he made when he was first elected in 2016.
“During my campaign in 2016, I ran on a pledge of term limits not to serve more than ten years in office,” Fowler said in a released statement. “Today, I am honoring that pledge.”
He added that he will remain active in the southern Illinois communities, including work on his 24-year-old foundation, the Fowler Bonan Foundation Clothes for Kids, and focus on growing the Heaven’s Kitchen Food Pantry.
* Rep. Paul Jacobs…
State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) announced today that he will run for Illinois’ 59th Senate District seat in the 2026 election, following Senator Dale Fowler’s decision not to seek re-election. Jacobs, a tough-on-crime conservative Republican known for championing Southern Illinois values, says he is running to ensure the region continues to have strong, principled leadership in Springfield.
Jacobs has served in the Illinois House since 2021 and has built a record as an outspoken advocate for core conservative causes. He is staunchly pro-life, a defender of the Second Amendment, and has opposed tax hikes as well as Illinois’ sanctuary city and sanctuary state policies. A U.S. Navy veteran and Southern Illinois optometrist for 45 years, Jacobs has deep roots in his community. He co-founded a local winery and raised his family in the region – experiences that he says keep him grounded in the needs and values of Southern Illinois families.
During his time in office, Jacobs has been a vocal critic of policies he considers soft on crime. He strongly opposed Illinois’ SAFE-T Act – particularly the end of cash bail – arguing that such “soft-on-crime” policies have left communities less safe. He has pledged to pursue “no-nonsense, tough-on-crime” measures to support police and hold violent criminals accountable.
Jacobs has likewise led efforts to crack down on illegal immigration at the state level. He introduced legislation to repeal Illinois’ TRUST Act (the state’s sanctuary state law) and insists “we have a responsibility to require that immigrants come to our country the lawful way” in order to keep communities safe from gangs, drugs, and crime. He argues that under the previous Biden administration, Illinois’ sanctuary policies resulted in a costly drain on taxpayer resources, saying ending those policies is necessary to put Illinois citizens first.
“Southern Illinois deserves a strong conservative voice in the State Senate who will fight for our values and our way of life,” Jacobs said. “I’m running to make sure our communities are safe, our constitutional rights are protected, and that the voice of Southern Illinois isn’t drowned out by Chicago politics. I will always stand up for law-abiding citizens, support our police, defend the unborn, protect our Second Amendment rights, and never stop fighting for the hard-working families of this region.”
Jacobs also expressed gratitude for Senator Fowler’s service and vowed to build on his legacy. “Senator Fowler has been a tireless advocate for our communities, and I thank him for his leadership,” Jacobs said. “As he steps back, I intend to continue that work and ensure Southern Illinois keeps the strong, common-sense leadership it deserves.”
Democrat Chip Markel announced last week he’s running for the open 118th House seat. Rep. Paul Jacobs’ campaign said “Not at this time” when asked if they have a challenger in mind for Markel.
- Just Me 2 - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:09 am:
I’ve always felt a little sorry for the House GOP campaign arm. They recruit, train, and support brand new candidates, all while grossly underfunded and with a corrupt map, and then their few winning candidates jump ship to the Senate whenever they can, making the House GOP start all over again.
Then again, it isn’t like the House GOP actually offers anything productive in today’s environment.
- JB13 - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:20 am:
Kudos to Sen. Fowler for keeping his word and not staying in the seat for decades before handing off “his seat” to his kid or handpicked appointed successor or buddy.
Not that anyone in Illinois would do something like that
- Under Influenced... - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:28 am:
A thank you to Senator Fowler for his dedicated service to Southern Illinois and the state as a whole. He consistently rose above partisanship and exemplified what it means to be a true statesman. Wishing him and his family all the best in the next chapter.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 10:43 am:
I’m just glad Rep Paul Jacobs stopped renting his district office space from Henry Fisher, especially with all the talk about the Epstein files being at the forefront of our political discourse.
- James - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 12:20 pm:
Fowler was doing a good job. Jacobs, well, he’s still busy seeing eye doctor patients. I presume that will continue and we’ll have more half baked representation down here.
- Red Ranger - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 12:24 pm:
Congrats to Senator Fowler. A true statesman. A great example of how to be an effective legislator even when in the minority party. Southern IL deeply benefited from his service. The rest of the ILGOP should take note.
- Casper the Ghost Bus - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 1:07 pm:
Senator Fowler’s tenure might be ending, but the milk snake is forever.
- Former Downstater - Friday, Jul 25, 25 @ 2:37 pm:
No one can eat or live in any of those policies. A lot of people, especially people in Southern Illinois, are struggling just to afford necessities like food and housing. Yet this dude’s campaign release contains not a world about addressing any of that. He will win anyway.
I hope someday, people in Southern Illinois start actually demanding elected officials actually represent them, instead of just spout grandiose CPAC talking points.