Macon Reporter

Regan Deering, a former congressional candidate and current Mount Zion school board member, has announced her bid for the Illinois statehouse in the 88th House District. 

According to a story in the Pantagaph, she announced her run on June 14 in front of a crowd of supporters at the Decatur Civic Center. 

 “Voters across Central Illinois are looking for leaders who are going to stand up for individual freedoms and the American way of life," Deering said. "They're begging for someone to go Springfield and fight for their values and interests. I didn't go looking for a political career but someone needs to stand up for common sense conservatives, and (we have) a need for leaders who fearlessly advance our cause. We need problem solvers with real world experience who are looking to create success for everyone. And that's what I'm offering voters in Central Illinois.”  

Deering, a Republican, hopes to succeed state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Macon), who has said he will not run again. 

Deering said she's running on a platforms of conservative values, parental rights, and protecting individual freedoms. 

Deering won the endorsement of Caulkins and said she has experience as a problem solver with a focus on creating success for everyone. 

The district includes parts of Macon, McLean, DeWitt, and Piatt counties. Deering's priorities include restoring parental rights in education and opposing curriculum agendas. 

In 2022 Deering was the GOP candidate for the Illinois 13th Congressional District. She lost to Democrat Nikki Buzinski. In her concession speech, Deering expressed gratitude to her supporters and campaign staff while acknowledging the disappointment of not winning the election. She emphasized the positive impact her campaign had in creating a space for conservative women in politics and fighting for issues like pro-life advocacy. 

Deering highlighted the determination shown by Central Illinois residents and stressed the importance of hope and perseverance in moving forward. Despite her defeat, she pledged to continue working to bring positive change to the community and thanked her family for their support.

The Decatur-based Deering describes herself as an “educator, small business owner, and active philanthropist in Decatur.

 “We should all expect our elected leaders to work for their constituents and represent the morals, values, and unique concerns of their district, and that is why I am running for Congress,” Deering said on her Congressional campaign website.

Deering may face former state representative Dan Brady who is contemplating a run for either the 88th District in the State House of Representatives or the Illinois 17th Congressional District. Brady's loss in the Illinois Secretary of State race in 2022 to Democrat Alexi Giannoulia was his first political defeat. He served 10 years in the General Assembly prior to that loss.