Tim Arview from West Frankfort ran unsuccessfully last year in the Republican primary for state representative.
"I've always been interested in politics, always voted, always followed the issues, but never felt like that was something that I would want to do or feel like I need to do. But just the way things are going now, and through prayer and consideration, we decided it was the time to do it."
He doesn't want to challenge any fellow Republicans again, which eliminates running for state house or senate or even Congress in southern Illinois, so the only Democrat left for him to run against is Senator Duckworth.
Arview is pro-life and pro-gun rights, and thinks Duckworth has not done enough to help veterans, despite being a veteran herself.
He began laying the groundwork for his senate campaign in the spring with a trip to the Chicago area.
"Being from southern Illinois that's probably the biggest hurdle that I have is that Chicago is six hours away and that's where a lot of the voters are. So if you want to get in front of the voters you kind of have to do that."
And he promises to start ramping up his campaign in August and September.
Arview has applied for licensure from the Church of God, and hopes someday to become a pastor.
