James Henry Rupp Jr. (May 17, 1918 – September 30, 1998) was an American politician, businessman, and Republican member of the Illinois Senate from 1977 to 1987.
Rupp received a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Monmouth College, Illinois, where he played football on the Fighting Scotts.
[1] He served in the United States Navy during World War II and was commissioned a lieutenant commander.
Rupp lived in Decatur, Illinois with his wife, Florence, and family and was the owner of an insurance agency.
Though Rupp was the earlier favorite, a combination of a media savvy candidate, a well-planned campaign strategy, keeping the focus on chosen issues and targeting of rural areas that Rupp allegedly neglected were credited with the success of her campaign.