Katie Stuart isn’t just running for state representative; she’s walking for it too.

The Edwardsville resident has worn out four pairs of tennis shoes during three months of her campaign for the 112th district.

“The shoes she throws out aren’t just a little dirty or worn out,” close friend of Stuart and social science teacher Sairee Knabe said. “She has walked so much that there are holes in the soles.”

Stuart has focused her campaign on meeting and talking to the people of the 112th district, which includes parts of Madison and St. Clair counties, by spending eight to 10 hours a day walking door to door from neighborhood to neighborhood.

“Each day I meet with families who are feeling the impacts of what is going on in our area and talk to them about their concerns,” Stuart said. “It is rewarding to know that I can play a part in helping improve their lives if I win this election.”

But Stuart hasn’t always had her sights set on Springfield.

Since 1991, Stuart has been an educator for Edwardsville School District and SIUE. In July 2015, she was approached by a friend to run for representative of the 112th district as a Democrat.

“There were a variety of issues that led me to decide to run, but a big one was education,” Stuart said. “Over the last few years, the cuts in districts across our area have made it tough for districts to ensure student success and to support teachers.”

Although she began to consider a future in politics because of her past in education, her son, junior Dean Stuart, convinced her to act on her consideration.

“(Dean) said that instead of sitting around the kitchen table and discussing the things I think need to be improved, I should run for office so that I can be a part of the solution,” Stuart said.

And Dean has supported his mom’s campaign ever since.

From walking through neighborhoods and parades to stuffing envelopes and delivering yard signs, Dean said he and his sister, sophomore Hannah, have done as much as they can to help the campaign.

Stuart’s husband and Lincoln Middle School Principal has followed suit.

“My husband, Steve, and I had always shared household responsibilities, but he has been great in taking over mine for the last six months,” Stuart said. “He has learned what to buy at the grocery store for all of us, and we are pretty picky sometimes.”

Stuart wishes she could see her family more, but technology has kept them connected.

“We text and Snapchat so we can share things about our days, but it’s not the same as being together in person at the dinner table,” Stuart said.

Stuart predicted she would be busier after she announced her campaign, but the process has not been all that she expected.

“(I’ve learned that) it’s not glamorous,” Stuart said. “There are a lot of tedious and mundane things that need to be done, like stuffing envelopes and putting stamps on them; but there are a lot of fun parts too, like walking in parades and attending rallies.”

Although Dean knew running for office was tough, he didn’t realize just how much work it required.

“I’ve definitely gained more respect for political offices and the people who run for them,” Dean said. “It takes a lot of determination to win.”

But no matter the outcome, Stuart hopes young people get involved in the race—whether it is through voting, volunteering for a campaign or considering to run for office later in life.

“If you feel strongly about working to make life better for others, then you should do that in whatever way you think you can be most effective,” Stuart said. “Not everyone will agree with everything you stand for; but when you know the truth and you a working in service to others, you can withstand and persevere.”