A Waterloo man announced his political plans last week.

Paul Schimpf of Waterloo

As expected, local attorney Paul Schimpf, a Republican, formally announced his candidacy for retiring longtime Republican 58th District State Senator Dave Luechtefeld’s seat.

At the county level, incumbent Monroe County Circuit Clerk Sandy Sauget, a Democrat, said she is seeking another term in office.

Schimpf’s announcement comes with the strong backing of the current senator himself.

“Senator Luechtefeld epitomizes the statement ‘to lead is to serve,'” Schimpf said during remarks made outside of the Monroe County Courthouse. “I am tremendously honored that Senator Luechtefeld asked me to run for this seat and has endorsed me for this position.”

A Waterloo native, Schimpf joined the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989 and served active duty for 24 years in the Navy and Marine Corps.

He is a 2000 graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review.  Schimpf served as both an infantry officer and an attorney for the Marine Corps, retiring in 2013 as Lieutenant Colonel.

His highest profile legal assignment was as lead American attorney-advisor in the trial of Saddam Hussein.  Schimpf also served as Staff Judge Advocate for Marine Corps Installations Command and the head prosecutor for the Marine Corps’ Western Recruiting Region.

Schimpf currently works for the Stumpf & Gutknecht law firm in Columbia. He and wife, Lori, have tow sons, Ethan and Garrett.

Schimpf was the 2014 Republican Illinois Attorney General candidate, losing to Democrat Lisa Madigan. He faces a March 2016 Republican primary showdown with Murphysboro attorney Sharee Langenstein.

Democrat Sheila Simon has also announced her candidacy for 58th District State Senator.

“I’m not intimidated by the dysfunction that currently reigns in Springfield and I believe we can turn Illinois around,” Schimpf said. “We will not, however, turn our state around until we get our fiscal house in order.  This will be my top priority as a state senator and it is the reason I am running for office.”