David Koehler
David Koehler (Democratic Party) is a member of theIllinois State Senate, representingDistrict 46. He assumed office in 2006. His current term ends on January 10, 2029.
Koehler (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to theIllinois State Senate to representDistrict 46. He won in the general election onNovember 5, 2024.
Biography
Koehler earned his Bachelor's from Yankton College in 1971 and his Master's in Divinity from United Theological Seminary.
Committee assignments
2025-2026
Koehler was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture Committee
- Appropriations - Health and Human Services,Vice-Chair
- Energy and Public Utilities Committee
- Senate Health and Human Services Committee
- Senate Higher Education Committee
- Public Health Committee
2023-2024
Koehler was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture Committee,Vice Chair
- Appropriations Committee
- Education Committee
- Energy and Public Utilities Committee
- Behavioral and Mental Health
- Labor Committee
- Senate Licensed Activities Committee,Chair
2021-2022
Koehler was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture Committee,Vice-Chair
- Appropriations Committee
- Education Committee
- Energy and Public Utilities Committee
- Labor Committee
2019-2020
Koehler was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture Committee
- Committee of the Whole
- Education Committee
- Environment and Conservation Committee,Vice Chair
- Local Government Committee
- Labor Committee
- Transportation Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| •Agriculture |
| •Committee of the Whole |
| •Education |
| •Environment and Conservation, Chair |
| •Labor |
| •Local Government |
| •Transportation |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Koehler served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| •Agriculture and Conservation, Vice chair |
| •Environment and Conservation, Chair |
| •Labor |
| •Local Government |
| •Transportation |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Koehler served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| •Agriculture and Conservation, Chairperson |
| •Committee of the Whole |
| •Energy, Vice-Chairperson |
| •Executive Appointments |
| •Local Government |
| •Transportation |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Koehler served on these committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| •Agriculture and Conservation |
| •Committee of the Whole |
| •Energy, Vice Chair |
| •Labor |
| •Local Government, Chair |
| •Transportation |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Koehler served on these committees:[1]
| Illinois committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| •Agriculture and Conservation |
| •Energy |
| •Higher Education |
| •Local Government, Chairman |
| •Transportation |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according toBillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 46
IncumbentDavid Koehler defeatedSally Owens in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 46 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | David Koehler (D) | 57.6 | 53,156 |
Sally Owens (R)  | 42.4 | 39,168 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 92,324 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 46
IncumbentDavid Koehler advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 46 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Koehler | 100.0 | 9,139 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 9,139 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 46
Sally Owens advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 46 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sally Owens | 100.0 | 7,483 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 7,483 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Koehler in this election.
2022
See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 46
IncumbentDavid Koehler defeatedDesi Anderson in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 46 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Koehler (D) | 58.1 | 38,672 |
 | Desi Anderson (R) | 41.9 | 27,924 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 66,596 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 46
IncumbentDavid Koehler advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 46 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Koehler | 100.0 | 11,382 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 11,382 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 46
Desi Anderson advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 46 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Desi Anderson | 100.0 | 11,195 |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 11,195 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Corey Allen (R)
2020
See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 46
IncumbentDavid Koehler defeatedMary Burress in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 46 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Koehler (D) | 53.9 | 47,492 |
| Mary Burress (R) | 46.1 | 40,634 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 88,126 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 46
IncumbentDavid Koehler advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 46 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Koehler | 100.0 | 17,862 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 17,862 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 46
Mary Burress advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 46 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mary Burress | 100.0 | 6,717 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 6,717 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for theIllinois State Senate were held in2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was November 30, 2015.[2]
IncumbentDavid Koehler ran unopposed in the Illinois State Senate District 46 general election.[3][4]
| Illinois State Senate, District 46 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic |  David KoehlerIncumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source:Illinois State Board of Elections | ||
IncumbentDavid Koehler ran unopposed in the Illinois State Senate District 46 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Illinois State Senate, District 46 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | David KoehlerIncumbent (unopposed) | |
2012
Koehler won election in the2012 election forIllinois State Senate District 46. On June 3, 2011, Koehler announced he was running for the 17th U.S. Congressional District in 2012.[7] However, on December 2, 2011, he announced he would be seeking re-election to the state Senate instead.[8] Koehler defeatedJames Polk andMarvin Bainter in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012, and defeated RepublicanPat Sullivan in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9][10][11][12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David KoehlerIncumbent | 54.2% | 45,054 | |
| Republican | Pat Sullivan | 45.8% | 38,104 | |
| Total Votes | 83,158 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Dave KoehlerIncumbent | 74% | 5,552 |
| James Polk | 16.6% | 1,245 |
| Marvin Bainter | 9.4% | 707 |
| Total Votes | 7,504 | |
2010
Koehler won re-election to the 46th District Seat in theIllinois State Senate with no opposition. The election took place on November 2, 2010.[13]
| Illinois State Senate, District 43 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| David Koehler (D) | 43,474 | 100.0% | ||
Koehler ran unopposed in the Democratic primary election on February 2nd.[14]
2006
On November 7, 2006, Democrat David Koehler won re-election to theIllinois State Senate District 46 receiving 32,873 votes, ahead of Republican Ernest Russell receiving 24,209 votes.[15]
| Illinois State Senate, District 46 (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| David Koehler (D) | 32,873 | |||
| Ernest Russell (R) | 24,209 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Koehler did not completeBallotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
David Koehler did not completeBallotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
David Koehler did not completeBallotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2012
Koehler's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[16]
- Creating Jobs and Growing the Economy
- Excerpt: " Creating sustainable jobs is Senator Koehler’s top priority. By working with area businesses and local communities to identify and develop important projects, Senator Koehler has helped to create thousands of jobs in central Illinois. ...Senator Koehler also favors the passage of a new capital bill to continue the improvement of our infrastructure and bring more jobs to Illinois."
- Helping Families in Need
- Excerpt: "As a State Senator, Dave is willing to make the tough decisions necessary to ensure that valuable services remain in place for working families who are trying to get ahead."
- Improving Education
- Excerpt: "School funding is a major issue in most states. Senator Koehler believes that Illinois can do a more equitable job of funding our schools by funding them through state government and less through property taxes. ...“One size fits all” mandates do not help educators. Sen. Koehler believes that Illinois needs to illuminate goals for students and teachers rather than mandate methods."
- Pension Reform
- Excerpt: "One, is to protect the lower end of the pension spectrum and target cutbacks to the upper end. Second, I believe we need to look at recent reform models used in other states such as the Rhode Island reform plan. On the issue of Teacher Retirement System pensions, I do not support the governor’s plan to shift the entire responsibility of the system to local school districts."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.
| Year | Office | Status | Contributions | Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Illinois State Senate District 46 | Won general | $821,163 | $930,999 |
| 2022 | Illinois State Senate District 46 | Won general | $788,010 | $635,510 |
| 2020 | Illinois State Senate District 46 | Won general | $2,666,786 | N/A** |
| 2016 | Illinois State Senate, District 46 | Won | $586,597 | N/A** |
| 2012 | Illinois State Senate, District 46 | Won | $1,105,949 | N/A** |
| 2010 | Illinois State Senate, District 46 | Won | $161,530 | N/A** |
| 2006 | Illinois State Senate, District 46 | Won | $390,363 | N/A** |
| ** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle | ||||
| Note: Totals above reflect only available data. | ||||
Scorecards
Ascorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Illinois scorecards, email suggestions toeditor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 16 to May 29.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 27.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 5 to April 9.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 1.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 to May 23.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through December 31.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 31.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31. There were also special sessions. The 1st special session was June 21-July 6. The 2nd special session was July 26-July 31. During the 3rd special session, the Senate met on August 13, and the House met on August 16. The 4th special session was on August 28-29. There was a veto session from October 24-November 9.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 through May 31.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 7 (extended session).
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 29 through June 2.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 31.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, theIllinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31.
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Personal
Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Koehler and his wife, Nora, have three children.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate Illinois State Senate District 46 | Officeholder Illinois State Senate District 46 | Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑Illinois General Assembly, "List of Illinois Senate Committees," July 28, 2009
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election and Campaign Finance Calendar," accessed November 30, 2015
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate list: General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election results, General election 2016," accessed December 15, 2016
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed January 3, 2016
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Results: GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑Peoria Journal Star, "Koehler announces bid for 17th Congressional District seat," June 4, 2011
- ↑Peoria Journal Star, "Koehler decision not huge shake-up," December 3, 2011
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed December 5, 2011
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed May 14, 2014
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections-2012 primary results
- ↑Illinois State Board of Elections, “Official Vote - November 6, 2012 General Election,” accessed December 31, 2012
- ↑Illinois Board of Elections, "2010 Illinois General Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑Illinois Democratic Party, "2010 Illinois Primary Election Results," February 3, 2010
- ↑Illinois Senate election results for 2006
- ↑David Koehler, "Issues," accessed October 23, 2012
- ↑Citizen Action Illinois, "99th General Assembly Legislative Scorecard 2016," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities, "2016 Illinois Community Living Report," accessed July 11, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - | Illinois State Senate District 46 2006-Present | Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - | Peoria City Council 1989-1997 | Succeeded by - |
- 2016 general election (winner)
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- Current member, Illinois State Senate
- Current state legislative member
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- Democratic Party
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- Illinois State Senate candidate, 2024
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- State senate candidates
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