Longtime WTVO anchor Steve Stadelman is now running for a seat in the Illinois state senate.
Stadelman, who has been covering news and politics in the Rockford area for 25 years, filed paperwork this week to run as a Democrat in Illinois’s 34th district. As a result, he is stepping away from the WTVO anchor desk.
After announcing his bid, Stadelman sat down for an interview with WTVO’s Mimi Murphy and described the decision as “bittersweet.”
“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Stadelman told Murphy about covering the news for WTVO. “And it’s something I enjoyed doing everyday.”
Stadelman also sat for an interview with rival station WIFR and described his motivation for running.
“I’ve been reporting on the issues and the problems in the Rockford area for more than 25 years, and I think you get tired of reporting on the problems and you want to do something about them,” Stadelman told WIFR. “I think I can give a unique perspective and opportunity to do that.”
Here’s the video…