Illinois State Senate District 57 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Illinois, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Illinois State Senate District 57 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Illinois State Senate District 57

Incumbent Christopher Belt defeated Wavey Lester II in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 57 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Christopher Belt (D)	57.7	41,880
		Wavey Lester II (R)	42.3	30,746
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	8

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 72,634
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Wavey Lester II (R)

With the right leadership, Illinois can go from WORST to FIRST in multiple categories!

The citizens of Southern Illinois deserve a bigger voice & better representation!

Look beyond my Party and get to know MY PERSON.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Wavey Lester II (R)

 Fighting to lower Illinois’ stifling tax burdens

 Ensuring we ALL have safe environments & safe communities  Fighting for our children - quality education, school choice, making sure schools remain open and ALL students remain safe  Protecting our personal/parental rights & freeing citizens from overreach & overbearing government control  Cleaning up decades of political corruption that has landed us where we are today  Protecting citizens from future lockdowns, preventing future business closures & strengthening our local economy  Supporting ALL those who protect and serve with honor...military/veterans, police/fire, healthcare professionals, teachers, etc.  Free & fair elections - election reform  Criminal justice reform

 Serving the historically underserved

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Colin Powell...he was great leader; he was highly intelligent; he had great character; he was a great servant!

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Wavey Lester II (R)

No. I like to look at, learn about and take bits and pieces from multiple people and examples. This method helps me remain balanced, objective and a free thinker free to come up with my own style and philosophies. I don't want to be "the next" anyone; I want to be the first Wavey Lester II.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Wavey Lester II (R)

A legislator has to have the ability to first recognize problems and second, to have the ability to seek out or come up with common sense solutions to solve those problems. We are elected to represent the people, not our own personal agendas.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Wavey Lester II (R)

A Constitutionalist

Objective Common Sense Free Thinker Life Experiences Multicultural

Not "Status Quo"

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Wavey Lester II (R)

#1 - REPRESENT & SERVE the people! You have to care about the people; you have to "read the room"; you have to learn how to balance it all in order to try and best serve ALL your constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Wavey Lester II (R)

A legacy of leadership and at least trying to make a difference.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I was a 20. I remember the day we said good-bye to our families and departed for the middle east.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Wavey Lester II (R)

I love the Pink Panther. I'm not quiet. However Pink Panther never said a word yet he was still able to engage and captivate audience! Not to mention he was a detective and a pretty cool cat!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Wavey Lester II (R)

I have been successful, but I have yet to find that staircase to climb that leads to greatness!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Working TOGETHER on things that should always represent and be in the best interest of ALL the people of the state.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Having a voice that is actually heard while living in a state represented by a one party that currently holds a super majority.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Yes and no. Experience is good, but so is fresh perspectives and new ideas.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Wavey Lester II (R)

Yes. It is very difficult to "work across the isle" if you do not attempt to establish relationships with them.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Wavey Lester II (R)

The formation of an independent committee...to include members of both parties and independent constituents (if possible) and having no influence from active elected officials hoping to draw their own districts.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Yes. Any committee that might involve veteran affairs, police affairs, criminal justice reform, election integrity, schools/education.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Wavey Lester II (R)

I have not witnessed anyone work harder to represent their district than sitting State Senator Terri Bryant.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Wavey Lester II (R)

I have always been taught I should always aspire to achieve more and better myself. My uncle in law Russ Fortune told me Washington DC should be in my sights. It would be a challenge living in a "blue state" but it is definitely something to think about or aspire to achieve.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Every time someone tells me they believe in me and believe in my ability to fight to make a difference in their lives, its very touching and lets me know this is a real responsibility!

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Wavey Lester II (R)

The best government is one where there are checks and balances and ways to prevent the abuse of power.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Wavey Lester II (R)

Yes! The best solutions are usually located towards the middle, not on the extreme left or extreme right.

See also

More about these elections:

• Illinois State Senate elections, 2022

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