Republican Rally at the Du Quoin VFW Thursday

All of a sudden, Illinois State Representative Mike Bost is seen as an approachable candidate who is climbing out from under Illinois Democrat House Leader Mike Madigan's iron hand and Gov. Pat Quinn's ever-changing politics to run for incumbent Bill Enyart's seat in the 12th District.

It's a close race and everyone tied to the decades-old Democrat lock on the 12th District is nervous.

Bost and Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner recently won favor from Knight Hawk Coal Co. president Steve Carter because of their support for the Southern Illinois coal industry despite the fact that Enyart picked up the UMWA endorsement.

Voters generally buy into Bost's rants on the floor of the Illinois House over budgets and being handed bills to vote on only minutes before Democrats approve them.

He is an ex-marine, firefighter and "citizen legislator" with the name recognition and measure of popularity despite being in the minority in Springfield.

Bost will be joined tonight during a 6:30 p.m. Republican chicken and dumpling rally at the VFW by 115th District House of Representatives Candidate Terri Bryant who hopes to win Bost's current seat in the Illinois House. She is opposed by democrat Bill Kilquist. Donations are being accepted.

Steve Bareis, who has enjoyed a substantial career in law enforcement and has been a mentor to youth, is the Republican candidate for sheriff. He is opposing incumbent Sheriff Keith Kellerman.

Mary Jane Craft was a last minute candidate for Perry County Treasurer and is seeking the office to rattle what she believes is a complacency in the democrat ranks.