Challenger Davis leading incumbent Welter in 75th District State House Race

Republican voters in the 75th District Illinois House race found themselves choosing between an incumbent and a challenger in Tuesday’s primary election voting.

Incumbent David Welter of Morris, who has held the seat since 2016, was facing a challenge by Jed Davis of Newark.

Tuesday’s winner will carry the GOP’s standard into the November general election.

With 74.8% of the ballots counted late Tuesday night, unofficial results showed Davis with 57% of the votes to Welter’s 43%, according to the Associated Press.

Welter issued a statement conceding the race to Davis laste Tuesday night.

Welter said, “It has been a tremendous privilege serving the people of the 75th District for the past six years. I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish together,especially passing legislation to keep our nuclear plants open and protect local jobs, making a difference for victims and survivors of domestic violence through Colton’s Task Force, and fighting for our shared conservative values down in Springfield.”

“I congratulate Jed Davis on his victory and urge all Republicans to cometogether as we keep working toward November with one goal: to defeat JB Pritzker and elect a Republican majority in the Illinois House ofRepresentatives.”

The two candidates were vying to represent a newly redrawn district that encompasses a large portion of Kendall County, northern Grundy County, eastern La Salle County and southwestern DeKalb County.

Welter previously served a six-year stint on the Grundy County Board, including two years as chairman. Away from the General Assembly, he works as a human resource manager with Illinois Truck & Equipment and as a realtor.

Davis, who resides in Newark, is a civil engineer who serves as a Newark Village Trustee and as board president of Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville.

Asked in a Shaw Local News Network questionnaire what the top issue is facing the district and how he would address it, Welter cited a number of issues, including “supporting and strengthening the robust energy sector jobs in our community, reducing crime, providing tax relief and empowering parents and local school districts to make decisions for their children’s education.”

Davis said the top issue is the need to elect an “actual conservative” to represent the district.

“The current representative is a Republican by name, but voted to eliminate gender distinctions, increase gas taxes, increase utility rates and restrict gun rights,” Davis said.

Davis also charged that Welter fundraises with anti-gun, anti-life liberals and supports U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon.

“We desperately need an actual conservative,” Davis said.

On the issues of rising inflation and taxes, Welter said inflation is mostly a federal issue, but suggested there are measures the state can take to mitigate it.

Welter said the pattern of politicians raising state taxes and fees has gone on for too long and needs to change immediately.

“If we attract more residents and businesses with a friendlier tax policy, we will have more consumers spending money and increased revenues coming in from a larger, more stable tax base. Achieving this is a goal we should all be working toward right now.”

Welter continued, “We need to prevent further unnecessary tax hikes from being imposed, while also encouraging new businesses to locate and invest in Illinois, which will lead to more people choosing to move to Illinois for jobs and opportunity.”

Davis charged that Illinois is the highest taxed state in the nation with the second highest gas tax in the nation.

“Sadly your current Republican representative voted for this gas tax,” Davis said of Welter. “So let’s start with … stop voting with Democrats for tax increases.”

He added, “We can’t spend and tax our way to prosperity. How about we cut waste and lower spending.”