Several political candidates showed up early yesterday at area courthouses, submitting their nominating petitions to be placed on the ballot for the March 18^th Primary election.  For federal and state offices, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin filed along with two Republican challengers Monday morning.  Republicans Jim Oberweis and Douglas Truax are challenging Durbin, a three-term incumbent who currently serves as the Senate Majority Whip.  U.S. Representative John Shimkus, a Republican from Collinsville, filed to run again in the 15^th Congressional District.  Senator Kyle McCarter, a Republican from Lebanon, Illinois for the 54^th district; Representative Jay Hoffman, a Democrat from Swansea for the 113^th District; Representative Charlie Meier, a Republican from Okawville, for 108^th District; and Representative John Cavaletto, a Republican from Salem, for 107^th district.  In the 115^th Illinois House District, four candidates filed petitions to run for the seat currently held by Representative Mike Bost.  They are: Republican Terri Bryant of Murphysboro, Republican Robert “Bob” White of Mount Vernon, Democrat Tony Mayville of Dubois and Democrat William Kilquist of Carbondale.  Mayville has served as the head of Washington County’s Democratic Party.