EAST MOLINE, IL – The campaign for Esther Joy King released this week over 50 local endorsements from grassroots leaders in western-central Illinois along with a number of high profile conservative leaders from across the country who strongly believe King is the Battle-ready leader needed in Illinois and support her campaign to win the open IL-17 congressional seat.
“Illinois deserves a leader who will fight for our values and what's good for our communities and not just rubber stamp Nancy Pelosi's far-left progressive agenda. We have a from-the-ground-up movement of positive energy to make our state better, and I welcome support from so many leaders locally and nationally who want to fight for our values together. It is an honor to have Leader Kevin McCarthy's support, and I look forward to making him Speaker McCarthy in 2023. This campaign started with people across central-Western Illinois and has grown because of the dozens and dozens of elected leaders here in the District who joined us early and believed in this campaign. Now our campaign is taking on momentum and growing stronger each day because our roots run deep.”
King’s announcement comes on the heels of raising over $400,000 in April, May and June which put her in the top five of all GOP challengers nationwide. Her campaign noted resources alone are not enough, this campaign is about people and hard work. Because of King’s strong commitment and personal connections across the district she is able to announce an unprecedented number of early grassroots endorsements.
Mark Luft, State Representative and Pekin Mayor
Ryan Spain, State Representative
Dan Swanson, State Representative
Paul Hartman, Carroll County Board
Amy Buss, Carroll County Clerk
Aaron Kaney, Carroll County State’s Attorney
Karl Williams, Fulton County Board
Barry Beck, Fulton County Board
John Spangler, Fulton County Republican Chairman and County Board
Patrick O’Brian, Fulton County Clerk
Kent McDowell, Canton Mayor
Colby Hathaway, Henderson County State’s Attorney
Brad Flatt, Henderson County Board Chairman
Bill Knupp, Henderson County Board Vice Chairman
Terilyn Motley, Henry County Circuit Clerk
Angie Young Frank, Henry County Board
Ray Elliot, Henry County Board
Cathy Runty, Henry County State’s Attorney
Darcy Wild, Jo Daviess County Board
Kirk Van Ostrand, East Dubuque Mayor
Mike Dittmar, Jo Daviess County GOP Chair and Elizabeth Mayor
Kevin Turner, Jo Daviess Sheriff
Jared Hawkinson, Knox County Board Chairman
Scott Erickson, Knox County Clerk
Derrick Appell, Altona Mayor
Dusty Terrill, Mercer County Sheriff
Grace Simpson, Mercer County State’s Attorney
Stefanie Tarr, Peoria City Clerk
John Kelly, Peoria City Council
Zach Oyler, Peoria City Council
Rod Simmer, Rock Island County Board
Rich Morthland, Rock Island County Board
Rebecca Quiggle, Stephenson County Board
Larry Jogerst, Stephenson County Board
Jodie Miller, Freeport Mayor
Dave Snyders, Stephenson County Sheriff
Stephanie Helms, Stephenson County Treasurer
Jim Rule, Tazewell County GOP Chair
John Ackerman, Tazewell County Clerk
Mike Pearson, Warren County Board Chairman
Sean Cavanaugh, Warren County Board
Cory Burgland, Warren County GOP Chairman
Howard “Bud” Thompson, Whiteside County Board
Linda Pennell, Whiteside County Board
Joe Chiarelli, Winnebago County Board Chairman
Fred Wescott, Winnebago County Board
Aaron Booker, Winnebago County Board
Jim Webster, Winnebago County Board
Paul Arena, Winnebago County Board
Kevin McCarthy, Winnebago County Board
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik
Rep. Rodney Davis
Rep. Mike Bost
Rep. Dan Crenshaw
Rep. Jack Bergman
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Rep. Virginia Foxx
Rep. Mike Garcia
Rep. Mike McCaul
Rep. Carol Miller
Rep. August Pfluger
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
Rep. Greg Steube