In Wednesday’s primary election, three Republican candidates zeroed in on securing the State Representative position to face the lone Democratic candidate in November. Scott Doody of Anna came out on top amid the recent election and secured the Republican seat for District 118’s state representative candidacy. District 118 covers territory in Pulaski, Alexander, Union and portions of Jackson and Williamson county. 

Doody won over 52.4% of the region’s Republican voters, accumulating to 4,687 votes, according to Associated Press. After Paul Jacobs, the current representative, announced his campaign for the 59th Senate District, Doody didn’t plan to run for office, but since declaring his candidacy, he received an endorsement from the Chicago Tribune writing that he “stands out as someone who could navigate Springfield.” 

“My win tonight is your win,” Doody wrote in a social media post. “I look forward to working towards a win in November!”

The former radio host of the “Working Man Show” said he felt hesitant to enter the race because he’s not a politician. However, after his campaign manager, Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens, asked him to think it over, he was ready for the task, he said in a February interview. Doody said his main goals are to give back to his community by rebuilding infrastructure and promoting tourism.

“I know the territory, I know the geography, I know the people. I identify with them,” Doody said in the interview. “When you’re in the super minority like the Republican Party is, then you’ve got to play three-dimensional chess all the time.” 

Doody ran alongside Harold Visser of Carbondale and Dayton Loyd of Makanda. Chip Markel of Carbondale was the only Democratic candidate to run for District 118. 

Visser works as a contractor and holds a business called Kingdom Builder. He was just behind Doody winning 35% or 3,130 of the district’s votes. Visser formerly ran for Carbondale mayor against Carolin Harvey in 2023. He ran on foundations of deregulating the state’s administrative codes, lowering taxes and advocating against abortion.

In a social media post after Doody’s win was announced, Visser congratulated Doody on his victory and wished him success moving forward to November.

“The people have chosen their nominee, and at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: a stronger, safer, more prosperous Illinois,” Visser wrote. “That mission doesn’t end tonight, and neither do we.” 

Loyd was the last in line, securing 12.6% of votes. Loyd, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran said in a text message that it didn’t surprise him that he didn’t do well since it was his first election campaign. Loyd didn’t run on any specific issues, but he felt his military experience set him apart from his running mates. 

“I’m not that well-known in the communities because coming from the intelligence community, my goal and training has always been the opposite, to be hidden in plain sight. Unlearning some of those habits was tough to do, but I wish Scott well,” Loyd said.

“It was a clean race without any mud slinging I think for the most part.” 

Markel will face Doody in the November general election for District 118’s state representative. Markel is a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired correctional officer, who said in a February interview he’s running on “kitchen-table issues” like fighting for the individual citizen. 

“How can you have to choose between paying your power bill or putting food on the table,” Markel said in the February interview. “You know it’s ridiculous that people have to go through that, right? That’s my driving force … we can do better. People in this area deserve that and I want to provide that.”

Staff Reporter Kristin Borchers can be reached at [email protected]

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