By Susan Stephens
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wnij/local-wnij-977712.mp3
6:12 interview with State Representative Dave Winters.
Rockford, IL – A long-time state representative from northern Illinois has run his last campaign. Republican Dave Winters of Shirland announced Thursday he WON'T run for re-election next year. After 17 years in the Capitol, Winters says it's time to pass the torch to a new generation. His decision comes, in part, because of the new legislative remap that puts him in the same district as fellow Republican Representative Joe Sosnowski. He says Sosnowski is a good example of that new generation of leaders, and he will fully support him in his bid for re-election. Winters says he could have chosen to run in his old district, but that would mean moving away from the family farm in Shirland, where he has lived since he was three years old.
Winters got into politics right out of college: after stints on his township and county boards, he was elected to the state legislature. He will serve out his term, which ends in January 2013. He said he's announcing at this time to give people interested in the seat plenty of time to organize their campaigns.
Web Extra: Winters discusses his decision to leave politics with WNIJ's Susan Stephens in this interview recorded in his Rockford office July 14th, 2011.