Ex-Pro Wrestler From Deerfield Enters Secretary Of State Race

DEERFIELD, IL — A new competitor has entered the Illinois political ring for November's general election. Jon Stewart, of Deerfield, is running for secretary of state as a candidate of the Libertarian party. He replaces Jesse White on the ballot, who shares the same name as the current secretary of state, leading to some potential confusion at the ballot box.

"I decided to take the Libertarians' offer to fill in the vacancy because I have 40 years of experience in dealing with the secretary of state and would be the most qualified candidate by far," Stewart told Patch.

Stewart, a former professional wrestler, runs his family's auto dealership. He believes this upbringing and experience gives him an advantage over his opponents.

"From tagging along as a kid with my auto dealer father, Jack E. Stewart, during his weekly trip to the secretary of state to running the family dealership and personally dealing with the agency for over 20 years, no one in this race can come close to my acumen," Stewart said.

Stewart will face Alexi Giannoulis (Democrat) and Dan Brady (Republican) in November. Giannoulias is a former state treasurer, while Brady is an Illinois state representative.

RELATED: Brady Far Ahead, Giannoulias Leading Secretary Of State Race

Stewart is no stranger to political circles and races. He ran unsuccessfully for Illinois state representative in 1998, U.S. Senate in 2000, U.S. Congress in 2009 and governor in 2018.

"I know more about some title issues than some of the Secretary of State employees. Jesse White has done a lot for the SOS, but being on the other side of the window, I have a vast amount of ideas for cost-cutting and lowering the price of license and title," Stewart said. "The Illinois Secretary of State is going to do more with less."

Jesse White, the current Illinois secretary of state, is not running for reelection. The Democrat has served as the 37th Secretary of State of Illinois since 1999.

With the Libertarians originally running a candidate named Jesse White on the ballot, Stewart said Giannoulias and other Illinois Democrats "went totally haywire," threatening the "most comprehensive signature challenge in Illinois history."

During his pro wrestling career, Stewart was known as "The Illustrious One" while performing with the American Wrestling Association. He retired from the ring in 2008 to become president of a car dealership in Chicago's Northwest Side Norwood Park neighborhood started by his father.

RELATED: 'Illustrious' Ex-Pro Wrestler Enters Ring In Race For Illinois Governor