Incumbent Norine Hammond, 73, a Republican from Macomb, will be competing in the Republican primary against two challengers, Joshua Higgins, 40, and Bailey Templeton, 30.
This district borders Iowa and is home to Western Illinois University; Hammond has served this area since 2010. Hammond is chief budgeteer for the Republicans, and she told us there’s plenty of opportunity to rein in spending, which she’ll continue to fight for, in the hopes that someone on the other side of the aisle shows the political will to take action.
Templeton is a homeschooling mom of three and an advocate for children and families. Higgins is an Air Force veteran who has the backing of U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, one of President Donald Trump’s most reliable allies in Congress, known for hard-line conservative positions and an unwavering alignment with Trump’s agenda, hardly the role model we’d recommend for an aspiring state representative here in Illinois.
In a state where Republicans are scrambling to improve their numbers, strong, steady leadership shouldn’t be overlooked. The incumbent is the clear choice in this primary. We’ve endorsed Hammond in the past, and we endorse her again.
Norine Hammond is endorsed.
Read all of the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements for the 2026 Illinois primary election here.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
