Former Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis), left, and Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt), right. [Illinois House of Representatives]   

Heads turned when Republicans managed to overthrow a member of the House Democratic leadership team in 2022 when former Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) was ousted by now-Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt). 

Though the boundaries of the 114th House District in the Metro East area were new, voters had reliably supported Democratic candidates in previous election cycles. That changed in 2022 as voters saw their House districts change and rewarded Schmidt, a chiropractor, with a term in Springfield.