U.S. Rep. Mike Bost has secured another term to represent Illinois’ 12th Congressional District following his victory over Democrat Brian Roberts. 

Bost, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015, was re-elected after advocating for issues like veterans’ services, infrastructure and energy policy. His re-election reflects continued support in the district, which includes Jackson County and a wide portion of southern Illinois.

Advertisement

In a written statement released by Bost at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, he said, “The polls are closed and I am thrilled to announce we have won our race by a wide margin! This election was about standing up for our shared conservative values with a message that resonated in every corner of our district.”

Looking at the race results, Bost told the Daily Egyptian, “I’m feeling good, you know, especially my race. Several national news networks have already called the race in my favor. Our numbers are coming in pretty well where we expected them to.”

AP called the race for 12th Congressional District in Bost’s favor shortly after polls closed in Illinois. 

Advertisement*

Bost attended a GOP watch party at Brews Brothers Taproom in Murphysboro. He arrived just after declaring his victory to meet with friends, families and other Republican supporters. 

In a speech, Bost said, “First off, thank you all for being the Republican supporters that we need in Jackson County and for working as hard as you all have for our candidates that have worked.”

Bost acknowledged the tough political landscape in Jackson County and expressed optimism about the outcome. 

“Trust me, I know how tough Jackson County is, and we’re going to continue to work to change it, and I will tell you we’re early in the night, and I think we’re going to see some numbers that are going to come in,” he said. “It’s going to make us very, very happy.”

The congressman also turned his attention to national races, noting early positive trends for Republicans.

“On the national scene, let me tell you that things are looking very, very good for the presidency,” Bost said. “They really, really are numbers that we didn’t see four years ago, are shining, and some of those are surpassing those we saw eight years ago. So it’s going to…still be a long night, but we hope that President Trump will prevail.”

Bost also highlighted his efforts to focus on maintaining a strong majority in the House.

“It looks like we are going to…keep the house. Question is, what level are we going to stay at?” Bost said.

To hold a majority in the House, 218 votes are needed. When Bost first started, Republicans had a solid majority of 242 votes under Speaker John Boehner. Now, the majority is slimmer, with about 222 votes. He said that even gaining a few more seats, like reaching 224, could make a big difference in how the party operates.

Bost said that the Senate would likely remain Republican; however, “now the question is, will the Senate be a one-vote, two-vote or three-vote majority?”

He reiterated his belief in conservative values, and said, “Our ideas and principles are right. To take our nation back.” 

Bost said that the ideas of the current Democratic Party are nothing like the nation he was raised in. He drew attention to the ideological shift in the Democratic Party, and framed the political divide as one between different values.

“The argument was between labor and management,” he said. “Now it’s between the woke, and those of us who still just want to hold the nation; they want to raise our children and be able to guide them in the way that is right in this nation.”

In order to steer the nation in the direction he wants, Bost said, “We want to make sure that our dollar goes farther. We want to make sure that our borders are secure, and we want to make sure that our enemies fear us and our allies respect us.”

 Bost also took a moment to show his pride for his district, speaking fondly of the community and his appreciation for their ongoing support. 

“Thank you for your support of myself and every candidate in this room, because I’m telling you, we have great candidates, we just have to make sure in Jackson County that the votes are counted correctly,” Bost said. “We love Murphysboro. We love Jackson County. We love the state of Illinois. We just gotta make sure it pulls in the right direction.” 

Throughout his race, Bost said he traveled to help republican congressional candidates Juan Ciscomani in Arizona; Ken Calvert in California; and Dan Newhouse in Washington state early on in the process, as he is chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs committee. 

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is responsible for overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs. It plays a role in recommending legislative changes to improve, adjust or refine laws related to veterans’ benefits.

Bost said, “The voters of the Illinois 12th believe in me enough to send me back, and I’m so appreciative because this truck driver’s son from here in Murphysboro, being able to serve the people and do it in the committees I serve on, which is Ag Committee, which is the second largest employer in my district, and then transportation infrastructure where I came from, but also serving as a chairman of the VA committee is vitally important to serve our veterans.”

Looking ahead, he outlined some of his key legislative priorities after his reelection. 

“Even after the election, before we actually go into lame-ducks, there is a very, very special bill. It’s vitally important for us to move, and that’s called the Elizabeth Dole Act that allows for an increase of funding to caregivers for our veterans,” Bost said. 

Bost explained that the act includes multiple provisions to support veterans, bundled into a larger package that has faced challenges in passing. However, he’s optimistic they can push it through during the lame-duck session.

In addition to supporting veterans, Bost is focused on infrastructure development in his district.

“I also have to work to make sure that I do the thing that I’m supposed to do as Illinois 12th congressional members, and that is to argue for funding for roads and bridges and those types of things in my district,” Bost said. 

He said that his hope is that when former President Donald Trump is reelected, they put themselves back in a position where the country is energy independent again.

Bost clarified that supporting various types of fuel doesn’t exclude solar and wind. Instead, he sees it as part of a comprehensive approach, including new technologies, to enhance U.S. competitiveness in the global market and bring jobs back to the country for economic growth.

“If you work to make sure that the economy is straightened out, it doesn’t matter if you live in Carbondale or New York, LA or Miami, people having more money in their pocket, people making sure that their money goes further, making sure that gas prices come down,” Bost said.

Bost explained that increasing GDP growth will boost employment and help reduce the nation’s long-term debt. He sees this approach as a benefit not just for his district, but for the country as a whole.

“We know what it’s like to have a real close majority, and it’s really hard to unite, to pull in the same direction with so many different personnel. And so that’s what we’re hoping for, is a larger majority in the House, the Senate looks like it’s going for the Republicans, vitally important, but everything looks like it’s going that way,” Bost said. “We did everything. We left it all on the table. And not only that, in my race in the district, but I also went around the United States, helping other candidates as well.”

Staff reporter Annalise Schmidt can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and on X @dailyegyptian.

Advertisement