Candidates for both state and local offices lined-up Monday on the first day to file petitions for the March 19th, 2024 Illinois Primary Election. In Springfield those among the first to file was Brandun Schweizer of rural Danville. He is a Republican and was the only candidate to file Monday for the 104th District Illinois House seat currently held by Representative Mike Marron. Marron is leaving the House to become the new President and CEO of Vermilion Advantage, effective December 18th. Marron’s decision to leave before his term ends in Springfield means that a person will have to be appointed to fill his unexpired term. Marron has told Neuhoff Media that the Vermilion and Champaign County Republican Chairpersons will be meeting to discuss his replacement, and that the identify of the person chosen may be known by the end of the year, with the swearing in on a date soon afterwards.
Also Monday, State Senator Paul Farachi of Champaign filed candidacy papers seeking re-election next year. Farachi is a Democrat who represents the 52nd Senate District in East-Central Illinois.
Another Senator from the area, Tom Bennett of Pontiac, announced earlier that he will not be seeking re-election when his term ends next year. Bennett had earlier served in the Illinois House of Representatives.
In addition to candidates filing for state offices at the State Board of Elections Office in Springfield, there are several Vermilion County offices that will be on the ballot next year. Candidates seeking those offices started filing candidacy petitions Monday at the Vermilion County Clerk’s Office. The office is located on the first floor of the Joseph G. Cannon Building at 201 North Vermilion Street in Danville.
County offices that are on the March 19th, 2024 Primary Election ballot include Vermilion County State’s Attorney, Recorder, Coroner, Circuit Clerk, and County Board members. Candidates for Precinct Committeemen will also be on the March ballot.
Candidates who are interested in running for the Vermilion County offices must file their candidacy petitions in the Vermilion County Clerk’s Office before that office closes late Monday afternoon, December 4th. Candidates who are seeking State offices – including State Representative and Senator – also face a deadline to file petitions next Monday afternoon.