IL. Gov. race

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Ray Lahood droped out of the GOP primary and will run for reelection as opposed to retiaring, despite having rased $600,000, Politics1 says.

[Virginian87]

Who is this guy?

Is he well-known in Illinois?

Sounded like it was a good thing for Blagojevich.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

LaHood was a Chaffeeish republican not moderate but PRECIVED as moderate.

[muon2]

LaHood would have been an interesting candidate in the race. He is a downstater and very popular in his district. His constituents basically wanted him to stay, and with a crowded race for Gov, Congress is an easier run for him.

LaHood is also very well respected in political circles. In Congress during the impeachment hearings, he was the consensus choice on both sides of the aisle to preside.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

He's Congressman for the Peoria area isn't he?

[muon2]

The Bloomington IL Pantagraph had an interesting editorial today about the withdrawal of LaHood. They are linking it to some other candidate moves and connecting the dots. This is not the first speculation I've heard along this direction, but it's probably the clearest.

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[muon2]

He's Congressman for the Peoria area isn't he?

Yes, IL 18 includes all of the Peoria area as well as a number of rural counties along the Illinois river and the northern portions of Springfield and Decatur.

[BobOMac2k2]

I have to say this is not looking good for Blago.

[muon2]

I have to say this is not looking good for Blago.

Here's a link to the Sun-Times for those who are curious. There's geeting to be a striking resemblance to his predecessor's administration.

The lead two paragraphs are as follows

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[BobOMac2k2]

This, the teachers pension, and the cap pain and suffering, might kill Blago.

I'm starting to think he should just let this election go.

[Speed of Sound]

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/columns/Acurrent/miller.htm

"The poll, taken late last month by the Judy Baar Topinka campaign, has Edgar leading Blagojevich 51 to 38.2. Edgar led everywhere except Chicago, where Blagojevich held a 63.4 to 26.7 advantage. Edgar's largest margin was downstate, where he was creaming the incumbent 62.5 to 26, but Edgar also led in suburban Cook County (50.7 to 40.3) and the collar counties (54.0 to 34.4)."

[muon2]

This, the teachers pension, and the cap pain and suffering, might kill Blago.

I'm starting to think he should just let this election go.

Ironically, the potential Dem challengers for Gov have recently taken themselves out of the race. Rep Franks was talked about all spring, but officially announced he was out. The Dem party committed hard to Blago this summer.

[BobOMac2k2]

The problem we have now is that no one other than Blago can beat Edgar, but Edgar will probably destroy Blago.

[Cubby]

Whats up with John Shimkus (IL 19-R)? I saw him on C-SPAN last year and he seemed okay, although he's probably more conservative than I'd be comfortable with since he's from the extreme downstate, by Kentucky. Is he expected to seek higher office at some point?

[BobOMac2k2]

I have never heard of him.

[muon2]

Whats up with John Shimkus (IL 19-R)? I saw him on C-SPAN last year and he seemed okay, although he's probably more conservative than I'd be comfortable with since he's from the extreme downstate, by Kentucky. Is he expected to seek higher office at some point?

I've heard no talk about any higher offices for Shimkus. He's a solid 5-term Congressman who represents a large district that stretches from his home area in the St. Louis suburbs to almost Indiana, and from Springfield to the Ohio River. He faced Rep. Phelps (D) in 2002 when Phelps district was removed due to reapportionment.

[ill ind]

  I wouldn't quite count out Blagojevich yet.  Remember, even if Jim Edgar does run, he will probably face a contentious GOP primary.  There is certainly a portion of the Illinois GOP that will not want to nominate a moderate such as Edgar.  Blago certainly has low poll numbers, and that doesn't help his case, but as it appears now he will not have any challenger in the primary.  That being said, I have read that there are committments for up to 10 million to finance an Edgar campaign.  The question is how much of that will he have to spend to fend off a conservative challenger in the GOP primary, how much money will he have to face Blago who will be sitting pretty with 15 million plus in the bank after the primary, and how much damage will have occurred to Edgar due to a possible negative campaign.
  It will be interesting

Ill Ind

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Edgar won't face a competitive primary.  Every but the fringe candidates would clear the field for him, probably as a implicit condition of him running.

[ill ind]

  I firmly believe that Edgar will have a primary challenge should he choose to run.  The Illinois GOP is simply that divided.  I can't see the outspoken conservative wing of the party backing down to let Edgar run unchallenged.  Believe me after the displays of the last couple of elections (Pat O'Malley, Alan Keyes etc. etc.) 'party unity' is by no means an effective way of clearing the slate for a 'preferred' candidate in this state.
  If clearing the primary field is a condition of him running, then he won't run.

Ill Ind

[muon2]

Former Gov Edgar spoke today at a major business luncheon. He said nothing about his plans, but that alone has created a huge buzz that an announcement to run is only days away. I suspect the buzz may be accurate. I also agree that a there will be a primary challenger to Edgar, maybe a couple of challengers.

[Keystone Phil]

Former Gov Edgar spoke today at a major business luncheon. He said nothing about his plans, but that alone has created a huge buzz that an announcement to run is only days away. I suspect the buzz may be accurate. I also agree that a there will be a primary challenger to Edgar, maybe a couple of challengers.

He's our best chance so here's hoping he runs!

[Sarnstrom]

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_269193620.html

Edgar To Announce Plans Within Days

“This is a great state. It only needs one thing, and that's leadership. And that's what this election is going to be all about,” said Edgar.

Damn I'm now thinking he's going to run. I really wanted Blagojevich to win in a landslide and then run for president in 2008.

[BobOMac2k2]

If he beats Edgar he'll run.

[WalterMitty]

what years was edgar governor from?  90-98?

how come edgar didnt run for the senate last year?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

um, wow, that 17th district is amazing. What the hell were they thinking when they drew that?