Gary Forby

Gary Forby (born January 4, 1945) is a former Democratic member of the Illinois Senate. He represented the 59th District from 2003[1] to 2017. The 59th Senate District includes Franklin, Hamilton, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Massac, Johnson, Union, Pulaski and Alexander counties in Southern Illinois.[2]

Gary Forby
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 59th district
In office
June 7, 2003 – January 11, 2017
Preceded byLarry D. Woolard
Succeeded byDale Fowler
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 117th district
In office
January 2001 – June 2003
Preceded byLarry D. Woolard
Succeeded byJohn Bradley
Personal details
Born (1945-01-04) January 4, 1945
Anna, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Angie Forby
ProfessionFarmer and business owner

He was previously a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2001 to 2003 before being appointed to fill former State Senator Larry Woolard’s vacant seat in 2003. He was defeated in his bid for another term on November 8, 2016.

Early life, education and career

Born in Anna in 1945, Forby is a Southern Illinois native. He currently lives in Benton with his four children and one grandchild and remains very active in a number of local community organizations such as the Shriners and the Elk’s Club. He has also been an active member of the Engineers’ and Laborers’ International Unions.

Political career

Before being becoming a member of the General Assembly, Forby worked on his farm in Southern Illinois and as an excavating contractor at Forby Excavating, a small business based in Benton, Illinois.[3] Forby has served as the Chair of the Franklin County Board and as a member of the Benton Township Board.[3]

On March 20, 2012, Forby won the Democratic Primary with 12,692 votes (77% of those voting).[4] He defeated Republican Mark Minor in the General Election. In 2016, Forby lost the race for the 59th district to Republican Dale Fowler.[5]

References
  1. Muir, Jim (17 June 2003). "Gary Forby Becomes a State Senator Today". thesouthern.com. The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  2. "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 56" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. 2011-05-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-09-07.
  3. Janis Esch (2017-01-10). "Forby finishes out 13-year term in Senate". The Southern. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  4. "2012 Illinois primary results: Illinois Senate - Chicago Tribune". Elections.chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-03-23.
  5. "Fowler bests Forby in 59th district". The Southern. November 9, 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
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