New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann said he is "seriously considering" making a run for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 37th District to replace retiring state Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Mokena.

Baldermann said he has been speaking to constituents in the district to gauge their thoughts about his potential candidacy and will make an official decision in the coming weeks.

“The feedback so far has been pretty positive,” he said.

The New Lenox mayor added that if he were to run, he would do so as a Republican.

Baldermann said more public officials at the local level should run for state government because legislators in Springfield need a better understanding of local needs.

Local government “is where the rubber meets the road,” Baldermann said.

Baldermann already wears several hats, which is something he said could change if he were to win.

He was first elected mayor of New Lenox in 2007 and won his fourth term in April.

He is also the superintendent of the one-school Union School District 81 and serves on the Metra Board of Directors.

He was a member of the Chicago Ridge Police Department for 22 years and retired as chief in 2010.

McDermed announced this month that she would not seek reelection in 2020, saying she wanted to spend more time with family.

The 37th District includes all or parts of New Lenox, Mokena, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Joliet, Lockport and Orland Park.