Editor's note: This article has been updated.
Two Republican candidates announced their campaigns Monday to challenge Democratic incumbent Katie Stuart for the Illinois House of Representatives District 112.
Jennifer Korte, of Edwardsville, and Joe Hackler, of Granite City, are pursuing the seat against Stuart. District 112 includes portions of both Madison and St. Clair Counties, containing parts of Edwardsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon, Granite City, Venice, Caseyville, Fairview Heights and O’Fallon.
Korte, who has a background in social services, said Illinois residents are frustrated with career politicians.
“After talking with current state representative Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville), I realized how far removed politicians are from understanding what their constituents want or need,” Korte stated in a press release. “The people of Illinois are frustrated with career politicians who have infiltrated our schools, taken away parental rights, exhibited government overreach and wasteful spending.”
Hackler, who has a history of challenging lawmakers tied to former Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan, said Stuart was “handpicked” by Madigan.
“Besides taking millions in campaign cash from Madigan and voting to make him Speaker, Rep. Stuart has repeatedly voted to raise our taxes and enthusiastically supported last year’s massive pro-criminal, anti-police legislation,” Hackler stated. “She doesn’t represent the values of Metro East working families. I will.”
Stuart has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Both candidates said they hope to make Illinois a better place to live in an attempt to address the mass exodus of residents.
“I am running for state representative because I’m tired of seeing young families like my own flee Illinois for places with lower taxes and more opportunity,” Hackler stated. “Illinois is my home, and I’m staying to fight for it. We deserve a state government on the side of taxpayers, not corrupt insiders and Springfield special interests.”
“I know too many people who have left Illinois or are planning to leave,” Korte stated. “I want to make Illinois a place where small businesses thrive and where families want to raise their children.”
Korte
Korte earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a master’s degree in social work from St. Louis University.
She worked as a social worker at Barnes-Jewish Hospital before becoming a stay at home mom in 2005.
Korte has volunteered with a sexual assault victims advocacy center, pregnancy care center, local schools and PTO.
Korte is passionate about parental rights, senior citizens advocacy, mental health awareness and women’s issues.
“With my experience as a social worker and heart for advocacy, I will be a voice for the people in District 112,” Korte stated. “I am simply a mom, trying to move Illinois in a positive direction.”
Korte admits she is not a politician, but says she has the qualifications to be state representative after learning leadership skills, integrity and critical problem solving skills through her experience at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and volunteer work.
“As State Representative,” Korte stated, “I will connect with the people to find out what their concerns are, and come up with solutions together that represent District 112.”
Korte supports Second Amendment Rights, law enforcement, fiscal responsibility and protecting the unborn.
She and her husband, Nathan, have three children and are lifelong Madison County residents.
Hackler
Hackler, 30, graduated from University of Illinois and is a communications and marketing professional.
He worked his way through college while serving as an elected township trustee in East Central, Ill., at 19 years old. After graduating, he turned his focus to Illinois.
According to a press release, Hackler “spent his career battling Speaker Michael Madigan’s political machine and taking on the extreme agenda of Democratic lawmakers who kept him in power.”
He recruited candidates to challenge lawmakers who were loyal to Madigan and succeeded in defeating two of them in nearby Southern Illinois districts.
Then in 2020, Hackler helped in the campaign against sitting Madigan-backed Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride. Kilbride’s failed retention campaign was the first in state history.
Hackler prioritizes fighting corruption, making Illinois affordable and tackling crime.
Hackler and his wife, Amanda, have a newborn daughter and reside in a 120-year old home in Granite City. They both serve as high school youth leaders at their church, and Hackler serves on the local planning commission.