   james edgar (born july 22, 1946) is an american politician who was the 38th governor of illinois from 1991 to 1999. previously he served as illinois secretary of state from 1981 to 1991. as a moderate republican in a largely blue-leaning state, edgar was a popular and successful governor, leaving office with high approval ratings. though still popular, he surprised many by retiring from elected office after his second term as governor, claiming that heart problems he had while governor were not a factor in his decision. ==early life and education== edgar was born in vinita, oklahoma and was raised in charleston, illinois. he graduated from charleston high school and attended wabash college for one year before graduating from eastern illinois university, also in charleston. ==political life== a republican, edgar was elected to the illinois house of representatives in 1976 and re-elected in 1978. in april 1979, edgar resigned his state house seat to accept an appointment from governor jim thompson as his legislative liaison. in early 1981, when then-secretary of state alan dixon moved to the u.s. senate, thompson named edgar to fill the vacancy. he won the office on his own in 1982 and 1986 and served until 1991. edgar married brenda smith of [[anna, illinois|anna
1946_births Eastern_Illinois_University_alumni Governors_of_Illinois Illinois_Republicans Living_people Members_of_the_Illinois_House_of_Representatives People_from_Coles_County,_Illinois People_from_Vinita,_Oklahoma Republican_Party_state_governors_of_the_United_States Secretaries_of_State_of_Illinois Wabash_College_alumni