Hastings announces run to be next Illinois Secretary of State

State Sen. Michael Hastings announced his candidacy to be the next secretary of state in Illinois.

Hastings, D-Frankfort, made the official announcement Wednesday. His run comes after Jesse White, the longtime secretary of state, will not seek reelection in the 2022 race.

“I believe experience and energetic leadership can continue to modernize and improve the Secretary of State’s office for decades to come,” Hastings said in a social media post. “My leadership experience — whether it’s in the military, corporate America or in the Illinois General Assembly — is proven leadership.”

Hastings is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he played on the Army football team. After graduation, he deployed to fight in Iraq where he coordinated air, ground and security movements, according to his Senate biography.

After 10 years, he was honorably discharged and went to work in the private sector. He earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a law degree from the John Marshall Law School.

He has represented the 19th Illinois Senate District since 2013, which includes parts of Joliet, New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Lockport and extends into Cook County. In addition to his Senate duties, he also practices law in the southwest suburbs.

Last year, he was named to Senate President Don Harmon’s leadership team as the majority caucus whip. He chairs the Energy and Public Utilities Committee in the chamber.