South Central Reporter

In an Oct. 31 Facebook post, Sen. Terri Bryant shared an interview with Will Stephens and WXAN FM. In the interview, she endorsed Wavey Lester for State Senate.

Lester used to live in Houston, Texas, and calls himself a "Constitutional conservative-minded military veteran and entrepreneur" on his campaign website. A Millstadt resident, Lester has lived in the 57th District since 2002, according to his campaign website.

"Thank you to Will Stephens and WXAN FM 103.9 for having me on for this wide ranging interview on important topics facing the State of Illinois including whether the Governor has the authority to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for school children," Bryant said during the interview.

Bryant broke down her endorsement of Lester.

“The one (race) that I've been most engaged in other than the governor's race has been the race for Wavey Lester in opposition to Chris Belt in the metro E so maybe enlisted in the Navy and then switched branches awesome guy ended up leaving the Air Force as an Air Force officer successful businessman but it that that race is really one that I think everyone should be watching generally it it becomes about really about a person's genetic race- right in this case we have Chris Belt, he happens to be an African American," Bryant said. "Wavey Lester is an African American. Both live in that obviously in that Metro East area, so they're able to run there. One is this successful businessman – Wavey- and then Chris Belt is a guy who has multiple government jobs and and honestly I don't think fits that district as well as Wavey does so that's a that's a race for everyone to watch.”

Bryant also expressed support for Lester in Facebook posts.

“Wavey Lester is without exception one of the best candidates I have ever seen. If you live in the Metro East please consider voting for this awesome man. If you do not live in his district please consider donating to his campaign. He is worth your consideration and your vote," Bryant posted.