BND 2026 Voter Guide: State House 109th District Republican primary

Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for the State House of Representatives 109th District Republican primary that features Rep. Charlie Meier and Zachary Meyer in the district that includes New Baden, Okawville and Highland.

The News-Democrat has contacted candidates running in contested races in the March 17 Illinois primary and asked them to complete a candidate questionnaire.

While this article has information about the Republican primary for the State House 109th District, you can go to this page at bnd.com to get links to read about other candidates running in the primary.

Below are the responses from Meier and Meyer. They are running to be the Republican nominee in the Nov. 3 election. (They’re listed alphabetically.)

NAME: CHARLIE MEIER

Age as of March 17, 2026: 66

Campaign website or social media page: CharlieMeier.org, Facebook: Charlie Meier for State Representative

Office seeking: State Representative, IL-109

Are you an incumbent? Yes

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) Former Washington County Board member

Occupation: Farmer and developer

Education: Okawville Senior High School

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I served on the Washington County Board from 2007-2013. I was a board member of the Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Vice Chairman of the BCMW Community Services, former board member of Heartland Conservancy, member of the Addieville Area Jaycees, member of the Heritage House and Museum of Okawville, Chamber member, and formerly chaired Washington County Senior Services.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? I am supported by hundreds of individual donors from all across the district. This cycle, my three largest campaign contributors are the House Republican Organization, Realtor Political Action Committee, and Illinois Corn Growers Association.

How much money have you raised for your campaign? $133,000

Why are you running? Illinois desperately needs conservative leadership. Radical woke Democrats continue to raise taxes to feed their insatiable spending addiction and are working to take our guns, overturn local decisions and fight President Trump at every turn.

As a farmer, I’m not afraid of hard work. I work every day to advance our pro-life and pro-freedom values and create opportunity for our families. I have fought and voted against the income tax increase, graduated tax, the 2021 tax hikes on small businesses, and the 17 other fee and rate hikes in the last five years under Pritzker. I am a strong advocate and supporter of our developmentally disabled. I will continue to put your families first.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Everyone talks about the cost of living being high, and in my area, it’s energy costs. In the MISO region in southern Illinois and in the metro east, we’ve even been warned of rolling brownouts as energy supply is so low.

We have to repeal or push back the arbitrary dates for forced coal and natural gas plant closures in Illinois. I’ve been fighting to keep our reliable, affordable baseload energy generation open. In our area, the Prairie State Energy Campus is a great example of new technology base load energy that is innovative and affordable. I’ve fought to keep that plant open - for more affordable energy and to maintain the jobs that support our local economy.

We also need to bring back local control for wind and solar siting. While politicians in Chicago and the suburbs want to see more solar and wind power, they don’t want to look at it. That doesn’t mean they should trample on our rights in the rest of the state. Local counties should have a say on siting for these projects that are taking over some of the best farm ground in the world.

Why should people vote for you? I’m a farmer, and as farmers know, when you see a problem you solve it. That’s the mentality I’ve lived my whole life, and the mentality I bring to Springfield. I understand the importance of getting the job done without compromising your morals, which is why I am one of the most conservative legislators in the state and also was ranked among the most effective legislators by a nonpartisan think tank last year.

I have traveled every inch of this district. Whether for a FFA auction, right to life walk, church picnic, benefit dinner, ag workshop, supporting our veterans, or just visiting a friend, I work every day to be a visible and contributing part of our community. I am proud to serve the people of this district. I will always pick up the phone and listen to you, and do my best to represent you in Springfield.

Did you use AI to write your responses to these questions? No

NAME: ZACHARY MEYER

Age as of March 17, 2026: 30

Campaign website or social media page: meyerforillinois.com

Office seeking: 109th State Representative

Are you an incumbent? No

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) 115th State Representative 2020 primary

Occupation: Entrepreneur - professor - attorney

Education: Juris Doctor SIU School of Law, B.S. Paralegal Studies with concentration in Pre-Law SIUC

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I am a professor, educating the next generation and helping prepare students for success in their careers and communities. I also serve on the Aviston Zoning Board, working to ensure responsible development and smart growth in our community. Additionally, I have prosecuted cases as an attorney, advocating for justice and upholding the rule of law. Through these roles, I stay actively engaged in public service and committed to improving the lives of those around me.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Myself

How much money have you raised for your campaign? $10,000 of my own money and roughly $750 donations

Why are you running? I’m running to give a strong voice to the people of our community in Springfield. Illinois families, small businesses and family farms face rising costs, high property taxes and challenges in public education. I want to fight for practical solutions that protect individual freedoms, support local schools and ensure our communities thrive. My goal is to represent you, listen to your concerns, and bring common-sense policies to state government.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The top issue in this race is the high cost of living, especially rising property taxes, which strain families, small businesses and farmers across our district. To address it, I will fight for property tax relief, advocate for responsible budgeting in Springfield and work to eliminate wasteful spending. I will also support policies that strengthen local schools, protect family farms and promote economic growth so our communities can thrive without being burdened by excessive taxes or overregulation. My goal is to put practical solutions ahead of politics and make government work for the people, not the other way around.

Why should people vote for you? Voters should choose me because I bring real-world experience as an attorney, professor and business owner who understands the challenges families and small businesses face every day. I have a proven record of getting results, standing up for individual freedoms, supporting public education and advocating for property tax relief. I will be a voice for our communities in Springfield, putting people before politics and fighting for practical solutions that make a difference in residents’ lives. I don’t just promise change; I have the experience, knowledge and commitment to deliver it.

Did you use AI to write your responses to these questions? No