Madison County Sheriff Captain Kristopher Tharp was sworn in today to fill the Senate District 56 vacancy left when Rachelle Aud Crowe was appointed to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
The ceremony was held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Labor Hall in Wood River.
According to a press release by the Madison County Democrats, the vacancy was filled by appointment from the Democratic County Chairs for the 56th Legislative State Senate District. The committee includes Randy Harris of Madison County, Robert Sprague of St. Clair County and Mark Pohlman of Jersey County.
Tharp is also running on the Democratic ticket for the 56th District in November’s General Election after filing papers on May 13. He officially announced his campaign on June 27. Madison County’s website lists Tharp as the Jail Administrator.
Tharp is running against Republican Erica Harriss of Glen Carbon. Harriss currently serves as a Madison County Board member in Glen Carbon after being elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.
Harriss said Tharp’s appointment to Crowe’s vacancy “has no real bearing” on the election, as Tharp was “hand-picked” to be Crowe’s replacement by the Chicago Democrat Elites.
“Voters are going to have the final say in November and there is a very stark contrast between what I stand for and what the Chicago Elite have planned,” Harriss stated in a press release. “My message resonates with families who are frustrated with the cost of everything, who are anxious about their children’s future, and who are hungry for leadership.”
“The Democrat Elites have chosen a candidate who will support them and their policies which keep our taxes high, send our high-paying energy jobs to other states and overseas, and release dangerous criminals onto the street,” she continued. “That’s not a platform I would want to run on, and this election will be a referendum on the failed leadership of the Democratic Party. Voters need to hear that there is hope for the future of our state and that with good policy we can make great strides together. I have a proven record of voting to safeguard our future by lowering taxes, funding law enforcement, and standing up for local control.”
Crowe resigned from the 56th Senate District last month after her nomination for U.S. Attorney was confirmed on May 17.
“Since joining the Senate in 2019, I’ve felt overwhelming support from my family, my colleagues in the General Assembly and the Metro East community—my heart is full of gratitude as I submit my resignation,” Crowe stated.
“I will cherish the partnerships and friendships that grew in my time in the Illinois Senate as we worked to advocate for change, update laws and improve our great state together. While serving the diverse communities of the 56th District was often challenging, I was overjoyed to see how we are united in our fight to enhance opportunities for families across the state.
“I am forever grateful to families of the 56th District for giving me the opportunity to serve, and I thank you all for your encouragement and thoughtfulness over the years. I love Illinois, and I look forward to continuing my work in public service in my new position,” she added.