Biography:

John M. Shimkus was born in Collinsville, Ill., where he still lives. He received a bachelor's degree in general engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1980.

After graduation, Shimkus trained as a U.S. Army Ranger and paratrooper. He served as an infantry officer in West Germany and the United States. He is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves.

After leaving the Army, Shimkus returned to Collinsville in 1987 and taught government and history at Metro-East Lutheran High School.

He received his teaching certificate from Christ College in Irvine, Calif., in 1989 and a business degree from Southern Illinois University in 1987.

Shimkus was first elected to the U.S. House in 1996. He and his wife, Karen Muth, have three children.

Past Campaigns:

John Shimkus was elected to the U.S. House in 1996, defeating Democrat Jay Hoffman by 1,253 votes. Shimkus was re-elected in 1998, defeating Democrat Rick Verticchio with 61 percent of the vote.

In 2000, Shimkus won re-election with 63 percent of the vote, beating Democratic challenger, Jeffrey Cooper.

He was re-elected in 2002 with 55 percent of the vote.

He was elected a Collinsville (Ill.) Township Trustee in 1989, and in 1990 was elected Madison County Treasurer, the first Republican county office holder elected in 10 years. He was re-elected in 1994.

Shimkus ran for Congress against incumbent Democratic Rep. Richard Durbin in 1992, but was defeated by Durbin, who is now a U.S. Senator.

Shimkus received 43 percent of the vote in the general election.

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