Terri Bryant was sworn in to her first term as State Representative in January of 2015. She replaced former State Rep. Mike Bost, who was elected to Congress in 2014. Since taking office Terri Bryant has fought to bring jobs to our area, sponsored legislation to lower property taxes, balance the budget, and fund higher education.  She has advocated for Southern Illinois values and worked to promote regional tourism to boost the economy. Her hometown of Murphysboro was even named the BBQ Capital City of Illinois by the Illinois House of Representatives. Rep. Bryant has proposed measures to reduce the recidivism rate in Illinois prisons and improve public safety. Terri currently represents Illinois' 115th District, which is home to magnificent and valuable natural resources, rivers, lakes, and industry.

She represents an area with a growing and internationally recognized wine industry, and a thriving craft brewery and distillery industry that adds tremendous value to southern Illinois’ agricultural economy. She is a former small business owner and served the people of Illinois as a dietary manager in the Department of Corrections for 20 years before being elected to serve as 115^th district State Representative in 2014.

Terri has voted to protect the lives of the unborn, and is 100% pro-life. Terri supports the 2nd Amendment and has voted multiple times to protect law abiding gun owners' right to bear arms. Terri has voted to balance the State's budget while making record investments in higher education and K-12 schools. Most recently, Terri voted to bring more than $1 billion in road construction funds to Southern Illinois.

Terri was the chief sponsor of legislation that requires schools to implement protections for students with epilepsy. She has also passed Molly's Law, which extends the statute of limitations for families to sue individuals suspected of causing the wrongful death of another person.

Representative Bryant is now a candidate for the office of 58th district State Senate. The 58th Senate District includes the 115th and 116th legislative districts and encompasses all or parts of Monroe, Jackson, Jefferson, Union, Perry, Washington, Randolph, and St. Clair counties. Terri and her husband Rick reside in Murphysboro and are the parents of two children and grandparents of four.