Candidate Dave Severin was elected to the IL House of Representatives in 2016 in the 117th district, beating Democrat incumbent John Bradley with 52.86% of the vote. In 2018, he went up against another Democrat Jason Woodard, defeating him with 56.9% of the votes. Since that year, there have been no Democrat challengers in the General Elections. There have been contests in the primary elections for the nomination however. Severin has been in the Illinois House for 10 years and is currently campaigning for a 5th term. The districts were redrawn after the 202o Census and Severin was elected in the 116th district (and White County) for the first time in 2022. See more background information on Severin in this article.
Severin claims to have conservative Republican values, is 100% pro-life and 100% pro 2nd amendment, supporting law enforcement and energy dominance. Get more information at his Facebook page: Facebook: @VoteDaveSeverin or his website at DaveSeverin.com
He has cast some controversial votes, aligning with the majority in 2019 to double the Illinois motor fuel tax and voting to hire non-citizens (DACA) in 2023 as police officers.
Angela Evans entered the 2024 primary a bit late that year, but still managed to garner 33% of the vote in her challenge to Representative Severin for the House seat. She has mounted a stronger campaign to win the seat in the current primary. See more background information on Evans here.
Evans says she will vote to repeal the gas tax increase that Severin voted for. She opposes allowing non-citizens to be hired as police officers, is opposed to public sector unions donating to the politicians who set their pay and benefits. Evans says she is pro life, pro 2nd amendment, pro family, opposes tax increases, supports parental rights, supports term limits for Illinois elected officials, supports spending reforms, the Invest in Kids Act, supports repealing the Trust Act, and supports President Trump's agenda.
The 2026 Primary election is on March 17, 2026. Early voting is happening now until March 17 at the White County Clerk's office.
