Raymond Poe (born March 26, 1944) is an American politician and former Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Raymond Poe
Poe in 2017
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 99th district
In office
January 11, 1995 – November 15, 2015
Preceded byVickie Moseley
Succeeded bySara Wojcicki Jimenez
Personal details
Born (1944-03-26) March 26, 1944 (age 80)
Lincoln, Illinois
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCarol
ResidenceSpringfield, Illinois
Alma materDeVry University
ProfessionFarmer
Politician

Early life and career

edit

Raymond Poe was born March 26, 1944, in Lincoln, Illinois. In 1963, he graduated from DeVry University. He and his wife Carol had three children.[1] Poe served on the Williamsville School Board from 1970 to 1991. Poe served for a time as the president of the Sangamon County Farm Bureau and on the board of directors for the Lincolnland FS Inc., an agricultural cooperative.[2] In 1990, Poe served on the Advisory Council on Business/Education Partnerships, an advisory council created to assist the Illinois State Board of Education in aligning educational efforts with the needs of the business community.[3]

Illinois House of Representatives

edit

In the 1994 election, Poe defeated Democratic incumbent Vickie Moseley in the 99th district.[4]

Raymond Poe was the first person to announce his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in the 2006 Republican primary.[5] However, Poe was unable to break out of the crowded field or pair himself with a gubernatorial candidate and opted to run for reelection as state representative from the 99th district.[6]

In 2013, Tom Cross stepped down as House Minority Leader to run for the Republican nomination for Illinois Treasurer in the 2014 election. Poe campaigned for the leadership position within the Republican caucus, but conceded to Jim Durkin prior to the caucus vote.[7]

Poe resigned from the Illinois House on November 15, 2015. Local Republican leaders appointed Sara Wojcicki Jimenez. Wojcicki Jimenez was sworn into office on November 20, 2021.[8]

Post-legislative career

edit

On December 4, 2015, Governor Bruce Rauner nominated Poe to serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.[9] Poe was confirmed by the Illinois Senate unanimously.[10] Poe replaced Philip Nelson, a former president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, who resigned after less than one year in the Rauner administration.[11] After Rauner lost his reelection campaign to J. B. Pritzker, Poe opted to retire on December 31, 2018.[12]

References

edit
  1. ^ Ryan, George (ed.). Illinois Blue Book 1995-1996. p. 115. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Schoenburg, Bernard (June 6, 1994). "Poe Touts Back-To-Basics Theme in House Bid". The State Journal-Register – via NewsBank at Chicago Public Library.
  3. ^ Gherardini, Caroline (ed.). "State Board of Education seeks business community input". Illinois Issues. 16 (8). Sangamon State University: 68. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  4. ^ McDermott, Kevin; Williams, Amy E. (January 11, 1995). "Curran, Moseley Move Out On Last Day as Legislators". The State Journal-Register – via NewsBank at Chicago Public Library.
  5. ^ "Springfield Republican lawmaker running for lieutenant governor". The Southern Illinoisan. February 25, 2005 – via NewsBank at Chicago Public Library.
  6. ^ Schoenberg, Bernard (December 15, 2005). "Poe to 'refocus' on re-election / State representative to pull out of crowded lieutenant governor's race". The State Journal-Register. p. 19 – via NewsBank at Chicago Public Library.
  7. ^ Miller, Rich (August 30, 2013). "A huge win amid hopes for unity". Capitol Fax. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  8. ^ Rossi, Anthony (Chief Clerk of the House) (ed.). "Resignations and Appointments" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois House of Representatives. 99 (87). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois House of Representatives: 3–4. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  9. ^ Anderson, Tim (ed.). "Appointment Message No. 99-0367" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 97 (70). Illinois Senate: 46. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Anderson, Tim (ed.). "Vote on Appointment Message No. 99-0367" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 97 (98). Illinois Senate: 90. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  11. ^ Vinicky, Amanda. "Raymond Poe Named State Ag Director". NPR Illinois. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  12. ^ Schoenburg, Bernard (2018-12-24). "Illinois Ag director Raymond Poe ready to enjoy retirement". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
edit