Moore to seek 99th District House seat

QUINCY — Former Quincy mayor and current president and CEO of the Great River Economic Development Foundation Kyle Moore is the first to throw his hat in the ring to succeed Randy Frese in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Frese announced on Wednesday he would not seek re-election after serving 10 years in the statehouse.

“Randy Frese has been a strong voice for our area and we need someone who will continue to stand in the gap,” Moore said in a news release. “Too many times, we’ve woken up to the news that big city politicians have rammed through laws in the dead of night, with little input from those affected the most. Those laws have made it more expensive to do business in Illinois, made it more difficult for families to put food on the table, and took important tools away from the law enforcement community. It seems like almost everyday Chicago and Springfield give us more red tape, more unfunded mandates, and more debt on the backs of our children. We must do better, and we can do better.

“That’s why I am announcing my candidacy for State Representative in the 99^th district. The citizens of the 99^th District deserve someone in Springfield who will hear them, advocate for them and be their voice. In the upcoming months, I look forward to meeting as many voters in the 99th District as possible, and earning their votes.”

The 99th district stretches from Quincy to Jacksonville and includes portions of Adams, Brown, Cass, Morgan and Schuyler counties.

Frese and Moore, both Republicans, had communicated with each other regarding the decision and Frese gave his blessing.

“It was encouraging for me to hear that such a quality individual as Kyle Moore was interested in running for the 99th District House seat,” Frese said in the same news release. “A solid conservative, Moore has the leadership skills and executive experience to hit the ground running in the Illinois House. I have worked with Kyle in good times and through tough times…he is a quality person with a knack for getting things done.”

Moore, 42, grew up in Quincy, but graduated from Galesburg High School and Quincy University. He began his career working for his family business, Moore’s Floors, eventually becoming an owner and vice president.

In 2009, Moore defeated long time Democratic 3rd Ward Alderman Bob Klingele for a seat on the Quincy City Council. Four years later, he defeated two-time Democratic incumbent John Spring to become Quincy’s first republican mayor since C. David Nuessen served from 1977 to 1985.

In his news release, Moore touted balancing the city’s budget, increasing the city’s rainy-day funds and investing in public safety and infrastructure.

In 2021, Moore was named President of the Great River Economic Development Foundation and will remain in that position.