Politician Liz Bishop Declares Candidacy for State Representative Position
In the heart of La Salle, DeKalb, and Bureau counties, Republican candidate Liz Bishop has officially launched her 2026 campaign to challenge Democratic freshman Amy Murri Briel for the Illinois 76th District State Representative seat. Bishop, currently serving as the La Salle City Clerk, previously ran in 2024 and narrowly lost by approximately 1%.
Bishop's campaign is centred around four key issues that resonate with voters in the district.
- Soaring Cost of Living: Bishop highlights the impact of rising prices for groceries, gas, and property taxes on families in the district. She criticizes Springfield politicians for raising taxes and increasing government spending without addressing these real-world challenges.
- Runaway Crime and Public Safety Concerns: Bishop emphasizes the need for effective measures to combat crime and ensure public safety in the district.
- Opposition to Single-Party Supermajority: Bishop voices her opposition to the current supermajority in Illinois, arguing that it has led to excessive tax increases, expanded government programs, and radical legislation without considering local impact.
- Political Balance and Common Sense: Bishop advocates for a balance in Springfield politics, emphasizing the need for "common sense" to counteract one-party rule.
Bishop's campaign message underscores the belief that communities in the district deserve representation focused on practical issues rather than political power games. She criticizes Springfield's response to the cost of living issue, stating that they raise taxes and legislators' salaries, without addressing the root causes of the problem.
Fellow Republican Crystal Loughran, who lost to Bishop in the 2024 general election, has also announced her intention to seek the 76th District state seat. Early voting for the Illinois spring primary, scheduled for March 17, will commence on February 5.
As the race heats up, voters in La Salle, DeKalb, and Bureau counties will have the opportunity to consider Bishop's platform and decide whether she is the right candidate to represent their interests in Springfield.
[1] Source: Bishop's Campaign Announcement Speech, 2026
- Bishop's campaign in the 2026 race for the Illinois 76th District State Representative seat, centered around addressing the soaring cost of living, runaway crime, and opposing a single-party supermajority in Springfield politics, is gaining attention in the district's general news and policy-and-legislation discussions, prompting voters to consider her as a potential candidate who focuses on practical issues.
- The local politics surrounding the Illinois 76th District State Representative race, including Bishop's platform and her opposition to the current supermajority in Springfield, are not just limited to the campaign trail but have sparked a debate on effective measures for handling the cost of living, crime, and ensuring political balance in state representation.
