Gary Forby
| Gary Forby | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 59th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Woolard |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 117th district | |
| In office 2001–2003 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Woolard |
| Succeeded by | John Bradley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 4, 1945 Anna, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Angie Forby |
| Profession | Farmer and business owner |
Gary Forby is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 59th District since 2003. The downstate district includes all or parts of the cities of Benton, Carbondale, Cairo, Carterville, Golconda, Harrisburg, McLeansboro, Marion, and Vienna.[1]
He was previously a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2001 to 2003 before being appointed to fill former State Senator Larry Woolard’s vacant seat in 2003.
Early life, education and career
Born in Anna in 1945, Forby is a Southern Illinois native whose values reflect the rural district he represents. He currently lives in Benton with his four children and one grandchild and remains very active in a number of local community organizations such as the Shriners and the Elk’s Club.
Political career
Before being becoming a member of the General Assembly, Gary Forby worked on his farm in Southern Illinois and as an excavating contractor at Forby Excavating, a locally-owned small business based in Benton, Illinois. Forby has served as the Chair of the Franklin County Board and as a member of the Benton Township Board and has been an active member of the Engineers’ and Laborers’ International Unions for nearly four decades.
Forby entered public service because he wanted the needs of Southern Illinois represented. During his time in the Senate, Forby has been a voice for the people of Southern Illinois by focusing on putting people to back work and bringing economic development to the area. Forby has also continued to be very outspoken about the need to pay the state's bills on time. While jobs and the economy are his main priorities, Forby has also worked to protect the most vulnerable residents in his district and improve their living conditions in Southern Illinois. He is a strong backer of Anna Veterans’ Home and a strong supporter of citizens’ second amendment rights.
On March 20, 2012, Gary Forby won the Democratic Primary with 12,692 votes (77% of those voting).[2] He will face Republican Mark Minor in the November General Election.[2]
References
- ↑ "Map of Illinois State Senate District 59".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "2012 Illinois primary results: Illinois Senate - Chicago Tribune". Elections.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2012-03-23.
External links
- Biography, bills and committees at the 98th Illinois General Assembly
- Illinois State Senator Gary Forby constituency website
- Gary Forby for State Senator
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Senator Gary Forby at Illinois Senate Democrats