Edgardo “Eddie” Perez Announces Candidacy for Illinois State Senate in 42nd District Veteran, retired police officer, and father of two pledges to put families first
U.S. Air Force veteran and retired police officer Edgardo “Eddie” Perez today announced his candidacy for the Illinois State Senate in the 42nd District as a Republican, vowing to be a strong voice for public safety, children and families, and holding the line on taxes.
“As a father, veteran, and lifelong public servant, I’ve seen how high taxes and out-of-touch policies are making it harder for families to get ahead,” Perez said. “I know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, and I’m running to put families first and fight for real relief that makes life more affordable.”
Perez’s 30-year career in law enforcement includes serving as an undercover narcotics officer with the FBI’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, an Inspector with the Illinois State Police’s North Central Narcotics Task Force, a DEA consultant, and a sergeant with the Batavia Police Department, where he led major divisions before retiring in 2016. He currently serves as the Defensive Tactics Coordinator for the Kane County Sheriff’s Tactical Operations Division.
Outside of law enforcement, Perez has dedicated himself to strengthening his community, founding a martial arts school focused on training both children and adults in self-defense. He also created the Martial Arts Gang Intervention Club (MAGIC), a scholarship-based program that offers martial arts training to at-risk youth to help keep them on the mats and off the streets. In 2015, he launched Kicking for Heroes, later renamed Kicking for Kids, a fundraising initiative that has raised over $46,300 for children in need, instilling in young people the values of service, compassion, and community.
Perez says his top priorities in Springfield will focus on helping families who are struggling to keep up with rising costs. That means fighting tax hikes, pushing for real financial relief, and putting an end to the constant nickel-and-diming of working people.
Perez’s commitment to lowering costs for working families stands in sharp contrast to his opponent, incumbent Senator Linda Holmes, who has repeatedly voted to raise taxes, placing a greater burden on families and small businesses already struggling with rising costs. Most recently, Holmes voted in favor of a new $1.50 per-package delivery tax—a move Perez says is out of touch with the realities working people face every day.
“It’s time for change,” said Perez. “People are being squeezed from every direction, and Springfield keeps making it worse. I’m running to be a voice for the taxpayers, not another rubber stamp for more taxes.”
A lifelong resident of Illinois, Perez and his wife, Liz Miranda Perez, live in the 42nd District with their two children, Veronica and Enrique.