Democrat Mike Halpin and Republican Brandi McGuire are competing for the Illinois House District 72 seat left vacant when incumbent Democrat Patrick J. Verschoore did not seek re-election.
Halpin was raised in Voorheesville, just outside the city of Albany. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Roger Williams University and law degree from the University of Illinois.
He worked for U.S. Rep. Lane Evans in early 2002 as his district scheduler and personal aide. Halpin practices law at the Rock Island firm of McCarthy, Callas, & Feeney, P.C.
He supports raising the minimum wage and says he wants to "turn back [Gov.] Rauner's extreme agenda."
Republican Brandi McGuire, of Milan, is the founder of a non-profit organization for individuals with epilepsy, based in the Quad-Cities.
Her campaign website says she will reject lawmaker pay increases and pension and will oppose any sales tax or income tax.
Endorsements
Mike Halpin has been endorsed by the Quad-City Times
Brandi McGuire has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association
- This report was compiled by WNIJ's Jenna Dooley