Rep. Paul Jacobs Launches Campaign for 59th District State Senate Seat (Carbondale, IL) – State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) announced that he will run for Illinois’ 59th Senate District seat in the 2026 election, following Senator Dale Fowler’s decision not to seek re-election. Jacobs, a tough-on-crime conservative Republican known for championing Southern Illinois values, says he is running to ensure the region continues to have strong, principled leadership in Springfield.
Jacobs has served in the Illinois House since 2021 and has built a record as an outspoken advocate for core conservative causes. He is staunchly pro-life, a defender of the Second Amendment, and has opposed tax hikes as well as Illinois’ sanctuary city and sanctuary state policies. A U.S. Navy veteran and Southern Illinois optometrist for 45 years, Jacobs has deep roots in his community. He co-founded a local winery and raised his family in the region – experiences that he says keep him grounded in the needs and values of Southern Illinois families.
During his time in office, Jacobs has been a vocal critic of policies he considers soft on crime. He strongly opposed Illinois’ SAFE-T Act – particularly the end of cash bail – arguing that such “soft-on-crime” policies have left communities less safe. He has pledged to pursue “no-nonsense, tough-on-crime” measures to support police and hold violent criminals accountable.
Jacobs has likewise led efforts to crack down on illegal immigration at the state level. He introduced legislation to repeal Illinois’ TRUST Act (the state’s sanctuary state law) and insists “we have a responsibility to require that immigrants come to our country the lawful way” in order to keep communities safe from gangs, drugs, and crime. He argues that under the previous Biden administration, Illinois’ sanctuary policies resulted in a costly drain on taxpayer resources, saying ending those policies is necessary to put Illinois citizens first.
“Southern Illinois deserves a strong conservative voice in the State Senate who will fight for our values and our way of life,” Jacobs said. “I’m running to make sure our communities are safe, our constitutional rights are protected, and that the voice of Southern Illinois isn’t drowned out by Chicago politics. I will always stand up for law-abiding citizens, support our police, defend the unborn, protect our Second Amendment rights, and never stop fighting for the hard-working families of this region.”
Rep. Paul Jacobs Launches Campaign for 59th District State Senate Seat
