FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2021
NEIL ANDERSON ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION RUN FOR NEW SENATE SEAT
Popular two-term State Senator officially announces he will seek re-election in 2022
ANDALUSIA, IL – Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia), the popular state Senator who has served the Quad Cities region for the past 2 terms announced today that he is running for the newly created IL-47th State Senate seat. The new seat, created by an aggressive and controversial Democrat-led redistricting effort, left Anderson drawn out of the IL-36th District by less than a mile. Anderson, who has long been widely assumed to be running in the newly redrawn IL-47th State Senate district where he lives, made it official today with a media tour of the new district.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue serving,” said Anderson. “I have been strongly encouraged to run for statewide or Federal office by a lot of great friends. I won’t say that some of the things coming out of the executive branch hasn’t tempted me to engage there, but in the end, I can do a lot more good if I stay in the Senate and keep building on what we’ve begun there. Getting things done is about building trust and relationships on both sides of the aisle. I have built a strong reputation as being reliable, being true to my word, and being willing to meet my colleagues across the aisle on issues related to labor, agriculture, transportation, middle class working families, and improving public safety. Ultimately, it’s where I can do the most good.”
Anderson traveled the district on Wednesday, making media stops in Rock Island, Knox, Warren, McDonough, and Fulton counties with a message illustrating his commitment to the values and concerns of the district. He was also joined by elected and party officials across the district who have enthusiastically supported his candidacy.
“This district is huge, and it reflects border community, rural, and urban issues,” said Anderson. “We have strong manufacturing, higher education, agribusiness, food chain infrastructure, small business, and logistics industries here. We have workforce shortages that aren’t easily resolved. We have values that aren’t always sympathetic with what we see coming out of the bigger cities, particularly Chicago, but we still have to find ways to move the state forward. I am looking forward to having the voters in the new district get to know me and I am confident they will send me back to Springfield to keep representing Western Illinois.”
Asked about the gerrymandered new district, Anderson said, “I’ll miss the 36th, but I’m happy knowing Mike Thoms is running. Mike was born for public service. He’s got a proven bipartisan record of getting results. He gets it done by working well with everyone, treating people with respect, and listening more than he talks. We need more leaders like Mike and less of the mindless machine politics that we’re known for and I look forward to having Mike Thoms in Springfield with me.”
Anderson faces the potential of a contested Republican primary election next year on June 28, 2022 and a contested general election on November 8, 2022.
“Western Illinois needs stability to thrive,” Anderson said. “We all know that a strong workforce and safe community make this a great place to live, work, build a business, and raise a family. That’s why I am running, and I’m asking people who support that notion, no matter what their political party is, to support me in June and again in November.”
Neil Anderson is a 15-year professional firefighter and paramedic for the City of Moline, where he holds the rank of Engineer. Originally elected in 2014, and re-elected in 2018, Senator Anderson currently serves as State Senator in the Illinois 36th District which includes all of Rock Island and parts of Whiteside, Carroll, and Henry counties. Neil was recently redistricted into the IL-47th District where he will seek re-election in 2022. The new district includes all of Hancock, Henderson, Mason, Menard, Mercer, Schuyler, Warren, and parts of Adams, Fulton, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, and Tazewell counties.
Neil’s bipartisan record supporting fiscal responsibility, middle class working families, and key Constitutional issues is exemplary. He has been a strong advocate for economic development and led the way to promote public safety and support first responders. Currently, Sen. Anderson serves as Republican Spokesperson for the Senate’s Licensed Activities and Public Safety Committees and as a member of the Senate’s Commerce, Criminal Law, Energy & Public Utilities, and Transportation committees.
Senator Anderson is also the founder of the 2APatriot PAC, a political action committee focused on recruiting, supporting, and electing candidates with impeccable records on all issues related to the Second Amendment.
Neil and Brandi reside in Andalusia with their two children, Steel (17) and Sophia (9). The Andersons are all avid athletes and sportsmen, strong supporters of Second Amendment and pro-life causes, and love to travel and enjoy the outdoors together as they focus on service to God, family, and country.
Paid for by Anderson for Illinois. | Not produced at taxpayer expense.