Two Woodford County elected officials have announced their intent to run for office but not the ones they currently hold.
State Rep. Dennis Tipsword, R-Metamora, has announced a campaign for Woodford County Sheriff in 2026, and Woodford County Coroner Tim Ruestman has announced plans to run for Tipsword’s seat in Illinois’ 105th District.
Tipsword, a chief deputy in the Woodford County Sheriff’s Department, made his announcement July 29, the same day that Woodford County Sheriff Matt Smith announced his plans to retire and endorsed Tipsword.
“While it has been a high honor to serve the people of the 105th District in every way, my heart is in law enforcement and with Sheriff Smith’s decision not to seek reelection, I am compelled to step up to run for Woodford County sheriff next year,” Tipsword said in a news release.
Tipsword is in his first term as state representative. The term expires in 2026. He has been in law enforcement for 31 years.
Reutsman, a Republican, made his announcement Aug. 5.
“I have dedicated much of my life to serving the people of Woodford County, and I’m ready to take that experience and commitment to Springfield” Ruestman said in a news release.
Ruestman, who has been the Woodford County coroner for more than three decades, operates Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso.
The state’s 105th District represents all or part of Livingston, McLean, Woodford, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam, LaSalle and Bureau counties..
Erich Murphy is a reporter for the (Pontiac) Daily Leader. He can be reached at emurphy@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Things are changing in Illinois’ 105th District. Here’s who wants in and who’s out
Reporting by Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader / Pontiac Daily Leader
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