Chambana Sun

Jacob Lane, who was considering a run for the GOP nomination in the upcoming election for retiring Rep. Mike Marron’s (R-Fithian) seat, has decided against entering the race.

Lane, a Danville resident and Newsmax contributor, was considering a run for the 104th House District in the upcoming election.

He expressed concerns about the future of the GOP in Illinois, stating that he sees challenges ahead for the party in 2024 and beyond.

In a statement, Lane explained his decision, pointing to the lack of a cohesive and winning strategy within the GOP. He shared his conversations with key officials, expressing a pessimistic view of the current state of Republicans in Illinois. Lane highlighted the diminished influence of House Republicans, describing them as an absolute minority with limited options.

"We’ve got two factions of Republicans in the state now," Lane said in a press release.

"We’ve got grassroots folks who are supporters of former President Trump. Then we’ve got establishment folks who despise the former president. Unless these two sides start working together, and there should be enough to unite both factions given all the issues we’re facing as a state, Republicans are going to continue losing elections."

The 104th District is becoming available due to the retirement of current occupant State Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian). Lane noted in October he was considering a run for the spot.

Having run for Danville mayor last year, Lane’s name was mysteriously struck from the ballot. Later, he raised concerns about valid postmarks in municipal elections overseen by the Danville Election Commission.

Lane also arose significant issues regarding valid postmarks in municipal elections conducted earlier this year and overseen by the Danville Election Commission. The concerns have emerged in the context of recent changes in Illinois, allowing permanent vote-by-mail, adding to the ongoing worries about ballot integrity.

The GOP infighting was on display in the 2022 election cycle when then-House Minority Leader Jim Durkin supported Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, a lifelong Democrat, as the GOP nominee for governor over hardline conservative Darren Bailey. The GOP House leadership took criticism early this year for backing several candidates in June primary campaigns against conservative reformers thereby depleting GOP campaign reserves before the general elections. 

Durkin supported GOP primary candidates of his choice with hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funding while criticizing others for backing more conservative choices. The failure of the Irvin gubernatorial campaign led many to question the continued leadership of those in the House’s GOP. Durkin stepped down as House Minority Leader after the 2022 General Election.