Carbondale Reporter

Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Carbondale) is hosting his “Pint & Politics” dinner fundraiser for his re-election campaign from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 12 at Mary’s Restaurant in Herrin.

“Seating is limited,” Jacobs wrote on Facebook.

Jacobs, a Navy veteran, took office on Jan. 13.

In September, Jacobs announced his re-election bid, WSILTV reported.

“We must address our financial obligations, stop spending money we don’t have, and take positive steps to lower taxes and stop self-serving politicians from further damaging the reputation of our state,” Jacobs said, according to WSILTV. “We lost people in the last decade, one of only three states to lose population. My conservative record stands for itself and I am proud to be running for re-election as state representative to continue to represent the values and views of the people of Southern Illinois.”

Jacobs will face off against Aaron Smith, a construction business owner in Marion in the upcoming June 28 primary election.

Before joining the Illinois legislature in 2021, Jacobs was a practicing optometrist in Carbondale and owned a winery in Alto Pass, his campaign website said. He and his wife have four grown children and nine grandchildren.

In the past few months, Jacobs has kept himself busy. Most recently, a bill he sponsored and championed to cut back on catalytic converter theft passed the House.

“I sincerely appreciate Rep. (La Shawn) Ford’s (D-Chicago) leadership and the bipartisan cooperation he offered to address this problematic rising crime,” Jacobs said. “It’s a sad fact, but we must address this issue. Catalytic converter thieves have shown little regard for the harm they are doing to individual vehicle owners and institutions that provide educational and charitable services to children and adults that need help with transportation. This legislative package offers strong deterrents for people thinking they can make a quick buck by stealing catalytic converters and companies that might offer thieves cash for stolen converters.”