Mayor Tim Baldermann No Longer Running For State Rep.

NEW LENOX, IL — Mayor of New Lenox Tim Baldermann has announced he will no longer be running for state representative of the 37th District. Baldermann originally announced his candidacy in August, after current Representative Margo McDermed shared her upcoming retirement.

"I have served as an elected official locally for 18 years. Seeing the dysfunction in our state capitol drove me to consider a run for state representative," Baldermann said on his Facebook page. "With my experience and passion for good government, I believed we would be able to run a successful campaign focused on the issues. Unfortunately, in today’s political climate that’s not enough."

Baldermann said Illinois Republican leaders have expressed concern that an "expensive and exhaustive primary...could leave the winner vulnerable to Mike Madigan and the Illinois Democratic machine..."

"I do not have the personal finances and resources necessary to sustain these all-too expensive campaigns," Baldermann said, adding he also wasn't willing to give up his position as mayor or school superintendent.

After his retirement from law enforcement, Baldermann was hired in 2012 by Union School District 81 in Joliet. Baldermann was first elected in 2001 as trustee for the village of New Lenox. In 2007, he was elected as mayor of New Lenox, and was re-elected in 2011, 2015 and in 2019.

"It has become clear to me that I belong in local government where I truly can put people ahead of politics," Baldermann said. "In partisan politics, the people should be able to count on someone to put their party first. I am not that person. Those who know me understand that I am an independent thinker. I am a person that prefers collaboration over conflict. That being said, I am not a very good partisan politician."

He thanked his supporters, and said he would be returning the campaign donations made for this primary.

"Although I’m profoundly disappointed in the political climate nowadays, I am a realist. Until there is change in our election process, campaigns will continue to be more about ideology and resources and less about people and solutions," Baldermann said. "For those of you that would urge me to fight on believe me, that’s what I want. I could continue this campaign, but the reality is that I could be subjecting my family and supporters to multiple attacks without the resources to counter them, let alone promote our positions on the issues. It is a sad fact that nowadays political campaigns are often won with great sums of money and negative attacks. The issues take a back seat to this reality."

With Baldermann dropping out of the race, the only Republican on the ballot is Mokena resident and business owner Tim Ozinga. The 37th District includes all or parts of New Lenox, Mokena, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Joliet, Lockport and Orland Park.