Murphysboro native wins seat for fifth term

MURPHYSBORO – Republican Mike Bost secured the position of state representative for the 115th District, again.

The Murphysboro native easily defeated Democratic challenger Gerald Deering from Du Bois and Green Party candidate Rich Whitney of Carbondale, gaining at least 60 percent of the vote. Deering lagged behind with 33 percent. As a third-party candidate, Whitney secured about 6 percent.

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Bost, a state representative since 1995, has been heavily canvassing his new district in this election. A loss in 1992 is what kept him knocking on doors, Bost said in a previous Daily Egyptian article.

For Bost, election night was filled with family and friends – something Bost said is the foundation of his campaign. His sister, Debbie Pittman, ran the numbers coming in and has worked with her brother on all of his campaigns.

“This is the rah-rah part of it,” she said. “This isn’t the work.”

Five generations of the Bost family were hunkered down in the Murphysboro Elks Lodge, 1809 Shomaker Drive, in anticipation of his win Tuesday night.

Mike’s dad, Gene Bost, was wearing his sharpest cowboy gear and wrestling with the younger generations.

“It’s lower key than in the past,” he said of the night’s wait. “There are still anxious moments because you don’t know until the last vote is counted.”

Deering was relatively invisible during this campaign, keeping a low profile. He entered the race saying he hoped to carry on his brother’s legacy. Terry Deering, a former state representative, died in a single-car accident near his home in 1997. Deering chose not to appear in public on election night and was unavailable for comment.

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Green Party candidate Rich Whitney said that while he was disappointed with the outcome, he was happy with the work his supporters put forth during the campaign.

“This has been a long process to crack the two-party system, and I believe we’ve taken a step in that direction,” he said. “We’ve been able to get the Green Party to the people.”

A lawyer who runs his own law firm in Carbondale, Whitney has been a longtime political activist supporting labor, environmental, civil rights, antiwar and women’s movements.

Whitney’s campaign manager, SIUC student Erik Wiatr, said earning the votes was a boost for the party.

“We worked really hard,” he said. “I think we did a good job getting the word out about our values.”

And victories far from Southern Illinois also bolstered spirits.

During the evening, a woman entered the room and announced to the loud applause of about 50 people in attendance that a Green Party candidate had been elected as state representative in Maine.

Earlier in the evening, as Bost was still awaiting final returns, he talked about the challenges of campaigning in a district that had been redrawn since the last election. A lot of that time, he said, was spent walking around, getting to know his new district.

“The friendships were easy,” he said. “Well, not easy, but once people get to know you, it’s easy.”

Bost’s 18-month-old grandson, Spencer Michael Weldon Fred, was running around the lodge in a tiny elephant costume and a mini-Bost T-shirt. Around 10 p.m., little Spencer’s eyelids were getting heavy.

“He’s had it,” Bost said. “His elephantness is worn out. He’s probably as hot as a firecracker in there.”

Bost took the stage at 10:20 p.m. and asked his wife Tracy to join him.

“It’s a small crowd, but we’re going to do it anyway,” he said. “I just got a phone call from Jerry Deering, and he has conceded.”

Tracy said although they enjoy campaigning together, she’s just really glad it’s over.

Bost’s grandfather, W.J. Bost, 96, was sitting at a table when the announcement came.

“It feels good,” he said. “I was kind of leery this time. It feels good that he’s won.”

At 10:35 the phone rang again. This time it was Green Party candidate Rich Whitney on the phone. Bost said he was glad both of his opponents ran positive races.

“We’re back again,” he said.

Reporter Brad Brondsema contributed to this story

Reporter Arin Thompson can be reached at [email protected]