With a winning platform of judicious spending, job stabilization, education and pension reform, incumbent District 75 state Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) emerged victorious over Martha Shugart in the general election.
First appointed to his post in July, Welter replaced John Anthony, who had resigned his position. Welter was chosen unanimously by the four-member 75th District Appointment Committee.
“[We] have no doubt that David Welter will … represent the constituents of the 75th District with integrity and zeal,” Grundy County Republican Chairman Aren Hansen, a member of the appointment committee, said.
During his tenure thus far, Welter has been active on numerous committees: agriculture and conservation, appropriations and public safety, education, energy and judiciary as well as special needs services. His district’s economy is largely agricultural and energy-driven — he was endorsed by Illinois Farm Bureau Activator, among others — but he maintains perspective on issues important to the entire state.
A native of Morris, Welter became politically involved at an early age, joining the Grundy County Board at age 19 and serving as chairman since December 2014. Observing unbridled government spending led to his motivation to increase his involvement.
Welter was vocal on a number of issues during the campaign months, including unfunded state mandates and term limits as well as education, jobs and the economy. He released a televised message over the summer to energize his campaign.
“Growing up in Morris, I learned if you stood on the sidelines, you can’t complain,” Welter said. “So I started questioning our elected officials about their wasteful spending. When they wouldn’t listen, I ran for county board. Because the voters put their trust in me, we cut taxes and improved our credit rating. And … I’ll do the same in Springfield. To get Illinois back on track we need to eliminate wasteful spending while fully funding education.”
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