Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) is urging his constituents against voting for Andrew Weatherford, who is running for the Macon County Circuit judge post.

“Andrew Weatherford for Circuit Judge is supported by those who shut down our state in 2020,” Caulkins wrote on Facebook. “Be very careful with your vote on Nov. 8. He is also supported by Sue Scherer who cast the deciding vote for the Safe T Act.”

According to his campaign website, Weatherford received his Juris Doctorate in 2008 from Indiana University at Indianapolis. He has practiced law in Decatur since 2009, currently with Johnson, Chiligiris & Weatherford. He has been involved with the Grow Decatur and Club 501 initiatives, and is now sitting on the boards of both the Empowerment Opportunity Center (formerly DMCOC) and the Community Investment Corporation of Decatur.

Weatherford will be running against Republican Shane Mendenhall in the November general election.

According to Mendenhall's campaign website, Mendenhall received his Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law. He began his law practice at Bolen, Robinson & Ellis, LLP (BRE Law) in 2008. 

Caulkins was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the Public Utilities and Prescription Drug Affordability committees. Caulkins resides in Decatur and will be running unopposed in November to keep his seat.