Paul Schimpf

Paul Schimpf
Schimpf in 2018
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 58th district
In office
January 11, 2017 – January 13, 2021
Preceded byDavid Luechtefeld
Succeeded byTerri Bryant
Personal details
Born1971 (age 52–53)
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
United States
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLori
Children2
EducationU.S. Naval Academy (BS)
Southern Illinois University (JD)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps Marine Corps
Years of service1993–2013
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitJudge Advocate Division

Paul M. Schimpf (born 1971) is an American lawyer and former Republican member of the Illinois Senate from the 58th district from 2017 to 2021.[1]

Among his activities prior to his tenure as State Senator, Schimpf served in the U.S. Marine Corps, participated in the trial of Saddam Hussein, and was the Republican nominee for Illinois Attorney General in 2014.

Schimpf was a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in the 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election.

Early life and education

Schimpf, the son of two school teachers, was born in 1971 at Scott Air Force Base[2] and raised in Waterloo, Illinois.[3] He was the valedictorian of his high school senior class and was a National Merit Scholar.[3] Schimpf attended the United States Naval Academy – passing an engineering scholarship offer at the University of Illinois[3] – and Southern Illinois University School of Law.[4]

Career

Schimpf served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.[4] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1993 and retired in May 2013.[3]

In 2005, Schimpf was deployed to Iraq to serve as the chief American advisor to prosecutors in the trial of Saddam Hussein.[5][3]

Schimpf served as a member of the legislative staff of U.S. Representative John Kline of Minnesota.[3]

2014 Illinois Attorney General campaign

Main article: 2014 Illinois elections § Attorney general

Schimpf was the Republican nominee for Illinois Attorney General in 2014. Incumbent Democrat Lisa Madigan defeated him in the general election.[3][6][7]

Illinois Senate

See also: 2016 Illinois Senate election

Schimpf ran successfully for the 58th district seat in the Illinois Senate in 2016, defeating former Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon in the general election.[8][9] He was sworn in on January 11, 2017.[10] His district included portions of Jefferson, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Monroe, Jackson, Union, and Washington counties.[11] Schimpf announced he would not run for reelection to the Illinois Senate in 2020.[12] He was succeeded by Terri Bryant, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives and a fellow Republican.[13]

2022 Illinois gubernatorial campaign

Main article: 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election

On February 15, 2021, Schimpf announced his candidacy for Illinois Governor in the 2022 election.[14] His running mate was Carolyn Schofield. They came in fourth place in the primary, receiving 4.3% of the vote. Schimpf managed to only win his home county Monroe, which was one of only two counties Darren Bailey did not win.

Electoral history

Illinois Attorney General General Election, 2014[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lisa Madigan (incumbent) 2,142,558 59.46
Republican Paul M. Schimpf 1,360,763 37.77
Libertarian Ben Koyl 99,903 2.77
Total votes 3,603,224 100.0
Illinois 58th State Senate District Republican Primary, 2016[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Schimpf 19,649 67.08
Republican Sharee Langenstein 9,641 32.92
Total votes 29,290 100.0
Illinois 58th State Senate District General Election, 2016[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Schimpf 59,735 60.56
Democratic Sheila Simon 38,905 39.44
Total votes 98,640 100.0
2022 Illinois gubernatorial election Republican primary results[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican
454,068 57.7
Republican
  • Jesse Sullivan
  • Kathleen Murphy
 123,156 15.6
Republican
117,276 14.9
Republican
  • Gary Rabine
  • Aaron Del Mar
 51,611 6.6
Republican
  • Paul Schimpf
  • Carolyn Schofield
 33,897 4.3
Republican
  • Max Solomon
  • Latasha H. Fields
 7,199 0.9
Total votes 787,207

Personal life

Schimpf married his wife, Lori, while attending Southern Illinois University School of Law.[3] They live in Waterloo, Illinois and have two sons together.[3][2]

References

  1. ^ Koziatek, Mike (November 8, 2016). "Schimpf takes 58th State Senate race; says economy will be his priority". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "My Story: Service and Solutions". schimpf4illinois.com. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Molly Parker (October 15, 2016). "Schimpf Touts Military Experience in Run for State Senate | Election Coverage". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Hancock, Amanda (October 14, 2015). "Paul Schimpf Enters Race for State Senate". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  5. ^ Angelo, Phil (November 23, 2015). "The 'Truth' About Saddam's Trial | Local News". Daily-journal.com. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  6. ^ "Lisa Madigan Wins Re-Election as Illinois Attorney General". Crain's Chicago Business. November 4, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  7. ^ "Illinois AG Lisa Madigan Elected to 4th Term". ABC 7 Chicago. November 4, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  8. ^ "Paul Schimpf Wins Open Illinois Senate Seat, Defeating Sheila Simon". Daily Egyptian. November 8, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Koziatek, Mike (November 8, 2016). "Schimpf Takes 58th State Senate Race; Says Economy will be His Priority". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  10. ^ Esters, Stephanie (January 11, 2017). "Paul Schmipf to be Sworn in as New 58th District Senator | Communities". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  11. ^ "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 23" (PDF). 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
  12. ^ Kapos, Shia (October 7, 2019). "Eye on 2020". Politico Illinois Playbook. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  13. ^ Barlow, Sarah E. (ed.). "Biographies of New House and Senate Members" (PDF). First Reading. 34 (1). Illinois General Assembly Legislative Research Unit. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  14. ^ Pearson, Rick (February 15, 2021). "Former Downstate GOP state Sen. Paul Schimpf announces bid for Illinois governor". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  17. ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  18. ^ McKinney, Dave (28 June 2022). "Conservative Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey wins GOP primary for governor". NPR.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Steve Kim
 Republican nominee for Attorney General of Illinois
2014 		Succeeded by