State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) first took the oath of office as Illinois' 58th district State Senator on January 13, 2021. After her re-election in 2022, Terri was sworn-in to office once again in January 2023 for a two-year term. Terri spent 6 years in the Illinois House, serving the people of the 115th district. Senator Bryant is pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, and is working to improve Southern Illinois' economy. Senator Bryant is a member of the following Illinois Senate Committees: Agriculture, Behavioral and Mental Health (Minority Spokesperson), Education (Appropriations), Education, Energy and Public Utilities (Minority Spokesperson). The 58th Senate District comprises all or parts of Edwards, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, and White Counties.

Senator Bryant’s commitment to public service began in 1994 at the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). While working in the IDOC, Senator Bryant rose to the rank of Public Service Administrator at the Pinckneyville Correctional Center and the DuQuoin Impact Incarceration Program. In addition to her normal duties over the Dietary Department, Bryant served as a member of the Illinois Department of Corrections Religious Practices Advisory Board, and as both an internal and an external auditor. After 20 years of service, she retired from the IDOC in 2014.

Throughout the years, Senator Bryant remained dedicated to political pursuits, including serving as a Precinct Committee Woman, Vice-President of the Jackson County Republican Women’s Club, and Second Vice-Chair of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee. She was also a delegate to the Illinois Republican Conventions in 2008 and again in 2012. At the 2008 Illinois Republican Convention Bryant was selected as a Presidential Elector, and at the 2012 Convention, she served on the committee to appoint at-large delegates to the National Convention.

In 2009, Terri graduated from the Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series. She was appointed to the Board of Governors for that organization in 2010 and was elected President in 2011. Through her role as Chair of Woman’s Coalitions and then later as the Coordinator of Coalitions for the Illinois GOP, Senator Bryant has been a leader in helping to develop better communications between coalitions and the Illinois Republican Party.

Terri Bryant resides in Murphysboro with her husband Rick and has been married since 1981. They have one son Tyler (Elaina) Bryant, one Daughter Tara (Tyler) Heinzmann, and 6 grandchildren.