South Central Reporter

Fresh from his decisive victory in the GOP primary, Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City said the election was just the first step toward winning the 107th House District seat in November.

"This was step 1," Wilhour told the South Central Reporter. "It was a big step and we are going to enjoy it and then get geared back up for the fall."

Wilhour said he has no illusions about what he is up against. 

"The special interests that came in fierce opposition to our reform message in this campaign are not going to just lie down in the general (election), so we are going to regroup, recharge and redouble our efforts for the fall."

Wilhour took more than 60 percent of the vote in the GOP primary to defeat Greenville resident Laura Myers, according to Illinois Election Data with 100 percent reporting.

With the GOP primary behind him, Wilhour is setting up for his run against Effingham Democrat David Seiler, who was unopposed in the primary, for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Cavaletto (R-Salem).

In a previous South Central Reporter interview, Wilhour said the sidelines were no longer the place for him.

 "I have just grown weary of sitting on the sidelines watching as our government squanders all of our advantages and opportunities," Wilhour said at the time.

"We are an asset-rich state and there is no excuse for us to be in the terrible financial situation we are in. Let's face it, Illinois is broken. The politicians, bureaucrats and special interests have broken it. I just feel like it is time for the doers in society to step up and lead."

During his more recent interview, Wilhour said he was feeling good about his primary win. 

"It feels great," he said. "We are extremely honored and humbled to have this opportunity."

Wilhour said he also has a long list of people to thank for his primary win. 

"So many people to thank," he said. "First and foremost, my wife Amber. Amber did everything for us in this campaign. We ran this on a shoestring budget and she managed the campaign and managed our household. I tell people that I really put her out of her comfort zone in this campaign, but she was clearly not out of her league. I love her and appreciate her and most definitely would not have been successful without her. Also, my mother Judy. I could count on her to do anything I need done. In this business, that is priceless. There are tons of other people, but that would be a whole book on its own."

Wilhour also wanted to thank and reach out to his Republican opponent in the GOP primary. 

"I would like to thank Laura Myers for running a tough and fair campaign," he said. "I am a better candidate and we are a better campaign because of the challenge. I look forward to getting together and unifying the party for the battle ahead in the fall."

Most of all, Wilhour said he wanted to thank the voters of the 107th District. 

"I asked the voters in 107 to send a message to the career politicians and special interests that we are tired of the 'politics as usual', we are ready for reforms, and they are not going to buy this seat," he said. "They sent the message loud and clear. 

"We were outspent by the special interests in this race 3 to 1, but we always had the right message and we had the boots on the ground. Hard work and a good message beat big money in this race. We won this door to door, person to person, sausage and pancake breakfast to chicken dinners all over the five counties. That's what I do and what you can count on from me – hard work, a lot of fight and willingness to get in the trenches and do what it takes to get the job done."