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Luechtefeld will retire, won’t move

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Illinois

Senator David Luechtefeld has announced he will not move from Okawville to the 58th district to seek reelection in the district he has served for 20 years. The deadline of moving into the district to file as a candidate for the November 2016 election was June 1, 2015.

Through redistricting after the 2010 census, Okawville was put in 54th district. Luechtefeld was able to run one more time in the 58th district, in 2012.

The Senator said that he intends to serve the remainder of his term that ends in January 2017. […]

At age 74, Luechtefeld said that it “is time” to leave office when the term ends.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:46 am

Comments

At age 74, he has made a wise choice.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:49 am
Good choice Sen Dave. Congrats on your retirement. Hope to see you more often at the poker tables (although I will not be so inclined to lose money to you anymore).

Comment by BIG R. PH Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:53 am
He will be missed. The General Assembly needs a lot more like him.

Comment by Blago's Luxurious Grey Mane Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:53 am
A great example why term limits are not a good idea.

Comment by Makandadawg Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:54 am
Dave listened, and when he had information to share he told it to you straight, even if he knew you weren’t going to like it. A straight-shooter.

Comment by Motambe Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:55 am
The Coach is one of the nicest, straight shooting guys in the State House. He has always represented his district and not himself. Thank you for your public service, you will be missed.

Comment by Goldwater Republican Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:59 am
I didn’t know him, but I’ve never heard a bad word about him. Good luck Senator. Enjoy your retirement!

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:02 am
For all the gamesmanship about running then appointing an successor, Senator Dave will let the people decide. Class act until the last day.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:10 am
The worst kept secret in the state is now out in the open…Coach ain’t moving. Great guy, but he’s right; it’s time. Bless him for knowing so and doing so. Maybe it will start a trend.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:17 am
Not surprised. I heard rumors back in 2006 that he wanted to retire. I have no idea how true those were, but they were pervasive for years after that as well.

My question is who runs. Terri Bryant would be a logical choice, but would she pull the trigger? Bob White probably wants to run for something higher (again), but he really embarrassed himself after his failed push of the Turnaround Agenda. I wonder if the Senate Dems will make a play here.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:19 am
Good game, Coach. Thank you for your service.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:25 am
Map-limited.
/s

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:30 am
One of the really good guys. He will be sorely missed

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:35 am
Class act coach. Now you can relax and enjoy Billikin basketball.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:50 am
Walker - he actually had the chance to run against Senator McCarter but chose not to do so. After what happened to Senator John O. Jones, maybe The Coach made the right decision.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:51 am
One of my favorites. A gentleman through and through. He will be missed, here’s hoping he has a wonderful retirement.

Comment by anonymous Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:51 am
Having watched him since he was a revered HS basketball coach, through his career in the Capitol, all I can say is that the man epitomizes class. A perfect example of being in Springfield for the right reasons. And lest anyone forget, kudos to retired Minority Leader Frank Watson for recruiting this gentleman into the rough and tumble world of politics. We’re all better for it. Looking forward to the next couple of years, Coach.

Comment by So.Ill.Boy Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 10:53 am
We want Mayor Will Stephens!

Comment by SouthernIllinoisan Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:03 am
@ Team Sleep

The Dems will play here. Sheila Simon’s name has been floated.

Comment by 4 by 4 Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:41 am
I first came to know Senator Luechtefeld as a coach at a rival High School in the mid-60’s. He was caucused in to fill Ralph Dunns unexpired term shortly after I moved back to the area.

Over the years I have had many opportunities to talk with him about some of my “hot button” issues. He knew from the beginning that I was a strong Democrat, yet the first time we really talked, he made surer that I had his private phone mumber and told me to use it any time. I can recall him returning a call after 9 pm on a Sunday evening and apologizing for taking so long to get back with me. How many others in the
GA regularly do that?

There were many issues he and I did not agree on, but he was always civil and honest, and at times we even found ourselves agreeing.

He, his type and style of politics will be missed. Agree with him, or not, he was a class act.

Best to him and Flo in their retirement.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:54 am
4 by 4 - I was going to say that, but figured that someone else would.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 1:03 pm
A very nice & always helpful man. Hope his back is feeling better than it was a few years back.

Comment by The Historian Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 1:45 pm
In regard to Sen. Dave’s successor: Paul Schimpf, last year’s AG candidiate, lives in that district and would be a logical choice

Comment by the old man Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 2:45 pm
Schimpf had some missteps after the last election. Word was he expected the Senate Seat handed to him by the County chairs. looks like he will have to actually work for it. Plus, I’m not sure being able to file paper work and ride a bus for a few months makes him the strongest candidate in the district. Just because you were a sacrificial lamb to Lisa Madigan does not mean your ready to handle a Senate district as large as the 58th.

Comment by John A Logan Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 2:56 pm
State Rep Jerry Costello Jr. represents half of that district and the more Democratic half at that. Maybe he runs for the D’s.

Comment by Call Me Crazy Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 5:58 pm
I have always considered Sen. Luechtefeld to be my State Senator, in spite of the fact that my part of Washington County was cut out of his District.

We did not agree on a lot of things, but we could have civil discussions - unlike Kyle McCarter who does not even return phone calls or respond to emails!

Might be an opportunity for the Democrats.

Yet, thanks to the Redistricting and Gerrymandering that has gone on he will probably continue to “represent” me for the remainder of his term. Senator Dave probably did represent my interests far better than my “official” State Senator.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 6:53 pm
Will be sorely missed for sure.

Glad he will be around for the rest of the term.

All the best,

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 6:54 pm
A true gentleman. Sorry to see him go.

Comment by dr. reason a. goodwin Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 9:59 pm
Coach is, and always has been, the epitome of class. He got into politics for the right reasons and always remained committed to serving the people in his district. He is a true public servant. His presence at the State House will be greatly missed.

Comment by Central Illinois Centrist Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:48 pm