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Schimp beats Simon in state Senate battle

Posted November 07, 2016 10:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Editor@heraldtrib.com

It was a solid victory for Waterloo attorney and former U.S. Marine Paul Schimpf in his battle with Democrat Sheila Simon for the 58th Senate District seat.

According to Schimpf's campaign manager, Ron Deedrick, Simon called to concede the race around 9:45 p.m. with Schimpf leading with more than 60 percent of the vote.

"I do want to commend my opponent, Sheila Simon, for running a hard-fought clean campaign," Schimpf said in a phone interview Tuesday night. "I think we ran a hard-hitting, but a clean campaign and I think what resonated with people is the frustration people had with the political class.

"I think people were looking for a candidate with experience outside of the political spectrum."

Before the race even began, most people knew the 58th District seat would be up for grabs, as State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) announced in June 2015 his intent to retire at the end of his term.

Luechtefeld turned 76 years old on Election Day, and is completing his 22nd year in Springfield after being appointed in September 1995.

"I'm somewhat overwhelmed in that I have to follow in the footsteps of Dave Luechtefeld," Schimpf said. "I'm aware that the challenges the state faces is real and severe and it's going to require nonpartisan cooperation."

The battle to fill Luechtefeld's empty seat featured Schimpf, a Republican, and former Illinois lieutenant governor and daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, Democrat Sheila Simon.

Luechtefeld publicly endorsed Schimpf and appeared with him at several rallies.

Simon, of Carbondale, had the edge in experience, having grown up around state government with two parents in politics - her mother, Jeanne Hurley Simon, served in the Illinois House in the 1950s.

She served as lieutenant governor to former Gov. Pat Quinn from 2011 to 2015, and lost a battle with Republican incumbent Judy Baar Topinka for Illinois State Comptroller in 2014.

Schimpf ran for attorney general in 2014 against Lisa Madigan, but due to a lack of name recognition and financial resources, he was handily defeated 59.5 percent to 37.8 percent, with Libertarian Ben Koyl picking up 2.8 percent of the vote.

Schimpf turned to other interests after the election before getting lured back into politics with the turmoil in state government. He won a primary battle with Sharee Langenstein in March, taking 67 percent of the vote.

Simon ran unopposed in the primary.

In the 58th District race, the two candidates sparred over coal and education funding, with Schimpf unveiling his "Six Reasons to Pick Paul in 2016" "David Letterman-style" at different points in his campaign.

"I will be the best advocate, the best supporter, the best defender of the Southern Illinois coal industry," he said during a campaign rally at Knight Hawk Coal in July, noting that coal is one of the economic engines that makes the 58th Senate District go.

During a sit-down interview in August, Simon was asked about a Schimpf press release that stated she was unlikely to get support from the coal, oil or gas industries given her close association with President Barack Obama and Quinn.

"You might expect that we disagree," Simon said, after being read the statement. "First of all, I've already been endorsed by mineworkers' union, the United Mine Workers of America, and very I'm proud of that."

The UMWA, along with several other unions, were listed as "supporters" on Simon's website. In regard to the alleged connection to Obama, she said she is a supporter and "big fan" of the president, but there were differences.

"That doesn't necessarily mean I think everything he does fits for Southern Illinois," Simon said.

Schimpf said his stances on coal, abortion (pro-life) and the second amendment may have swayed voters as well.

"I think it was a better ideological fit on the hot-button issues, second amendment, pro-life and the coal industry," he said.

As far as what's next, Schimpf said what is lacking is the ability of the state's elected leaders to work together and that would be something he would be focusing on.

"It's going to take some compromise on both sides," he said. "I'm optimistic that now we have this election behind us, we'll have some nonpartisan cooperation."

The 58th Senate District includes all of Perry, Jefferson, Monroe and Randolph counties, and parts of St. Clair, Union, Jackson and Washington counties. The district represents an average of 217,400 residents.

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