* I had this on the blog yesterday, but it was late in the afternoon so many of you didn’t get a chance to comment…
U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, who earned a reputation for civility in the harsh world of politics, will retire after seven terms in Congress, an aide said Thursday. The Peoria Republican will formally announce his retirement during news conferences today in Peoria, Jacksonville and Springfield, spokesman Tim Butler said. LaHood, 61, said in an interview Thursday that the prospect of leading an ordinary life after 30 years in politics ‘’is pretty appealing.'’
* Why announce now?…
LaHood said he is announcing his retirement early to give prospective candidates time to consider a run for the seat, which has been held for nearly a half-century by LaHood and his predecessor, Bob Michel, a Peoria Republican who served as House minority leader.
“There’s no heir apparent. … This will be a wide-open race,” LaHood said.
* When?…
We’re told by his spokesperson that Congressman LaHood will finish out this term — his seventh
* The past…
LaHood considered leaving the House twice in recent years, first to run for governor, then to apply for the presidency of his alma mater, Bradley University. He passed both times, but some Capitol Hill Republicans quietly questioned whether his heart had already left Congress — speculation that LaHood dismissed on Thursday
* And the future…
GOP leaders have said in the past they aren’t worried about losing LaHood’s seat. Democrats say they’ll compete seriously to capture it; Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) called the district “Republican-leaning, but not a Republican lock.”
Two Peoria Republicans said they would consider running to replace LaHood: state Reps. Aaron Schock and David Leitch.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** More potential candidates from The Politico…
State senator John Sullivan would be a likely Democratic candidate, and he has already spoken with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Republicans also have a number of potential candidates in the wings. Tazewell County Attorney Stu Umholtz, who ran for attorney general last year, and 25-year-old state Rep. Aaron Schock — a protege of LaHood’s — are two of the better-known GOP prospects within the district.
- Independent - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:04 am:
Even with our ridiculously gerrymandered districts (17th for the Dems, 18th for Repubs) LaHood’s 18th will be highly competitive in ‘08. Republicans have held the 18th since 1917 so losing it would be demoralizing. Look for the RNC and DNC to pump a ton of cash into this wide-open race.
- True Observer - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:08 am:
There’s always an angle.
LaHood can’t get his kid in to replace him.
His kid wants to run for state’s attorney of Peoria County.
The leading dem candidate for congress is Kevin Lyons, who just happens to be state’s attorney of Peoria County.
State’s attorneys are up in 2008.
Since in Illinois you can only file for one office, Mr. LaHood clears the road for Junior.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:13 am:
Intriguing observation by True Observer. I like Aaron Schock but I hope he stays in Springfield.
- downstateyp - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:14 am:
who would run on the dems’ side?
- Johnny B - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:15 am:
What about Jim Watson? He’s in the district, although probably too far south to pull much out of Peoria.
- Pat Collins - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:24 am:
LaHood, who earned a reputation for civility in the harsh world of politics
Peter Fitzgerald might differ there…..
At least LaHood’s chief of staff isn’t the major contender.
It’s also a kind of pimp for Ray LaH not to take one for the team and run in 08. He’d keep the seat, and he could retire when it might be a better year for Rs.
- Siyotanka - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:24 am:
One word…
Richard Kreigsman
- Siyotanka - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:25 am:
The younger son
- Young Dem - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:25 am:
Sen. John Sullivan. He entered the special primary for the 17th last March. He would be a much better fit for the 18th.
- True Observer - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:30 am:
Sullivan would have been the one but he made a big mistake in offering his name to the 17th District Precint Committeemen. He should have known it was a set-up. Which shows that he’s not a good politician.
After running in the 17th, he’s not credible to run in the 18th.
- RMW Stanford - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 9:40 am:
Leitch would probably have a better shot of it than Aaron Shock would, but Shock also young enough of to weigh if he has to. The Democrats may have a better chance of winning of it with LaHood out, but some how I suspect that the 18th district will not be going Democrat in 2008 or anytime soon. It will be fun watch everything shake out.
- Team Sleep - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 10:19 am:
I think he announced now because of the August recess. If that doesn’t make sense, just remember that he will be back in the district for an entire month. This time will allow him to meet with county chairmen, possible candidates, campaign advisors, etc. We could have a candidate by the end of the month.
I live in Ray’s district. I would not be pleased if his son is selected, nor would I be pleased if he steps down and appoints a successor. It could happen, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Ray leaves unannounced in December of this year.
I think Sullivan will stay put, but I could be wrong. My guess is that Lyons will run on the Dem side and that either Keith Sommer or Dave Leitch will run on the GOP side.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 10:24 am:
Congressmen are not appointed in Illinois. Vacancies are filled by special elections.
- True Observer - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 10:34 am:
He announced now because the petitions can be circulated starting 8-7-07.
Any incumbent who announces retirement after that date will be considered a loser.
Except, of course, the machine politicians, about whom everyone will complain but then vote in.
- Solidarity? - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 10:35 am:
Springfields Mayor Tim Davlin for the Democrats?
- Team Sleep - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 10:59 am:
Rich, you called me on it. I completely forgot! I guess I would be concerned that he would leave before his term and thus create the void. He could then work on getting someone propped up to run in the special election. Currently, there are two empty seats in Congress, so there could be three.
- Little Egypt - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 11:07 am:
Would Peter Fitzgerald and/or Ray LaHood become candidates for Illinois Governor in 2010?
- jwscott72 - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 11:18 am:
Rich correctly pointed out that Schock’s district is heavily Democratic and his holding the seat is a step in the right direction for the GOP. Aaron is a case study showing that the GOP is viable in those type of districts. He should stay in the seat, gain more seniority and be ready to capitalize on it when the GOP takes over again.
Sullivan is a two-faced liar for whom a lot of his constituents have no use for. He’s perfect for Congress.
- Good Day in the 18th! - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 12:04 pm:
Great news for those of us in the 18th! People who think LaHood is so great and civil have obviously never dealt with him. Just listen to his media interviews. He is very arrogant and condescending. Good riddance!
As for replacements. Aaron Schock is the clear and away frontrunner. Leitch or Sommer - give me a break! Leitch has about as much personality as a wet noodle. Neither one of these guys are up for a twenty-some county race or the grueling schedule of serving in Congress. They are past their prime. Schock owns Peoria right now. The timing couldn’t be better for him.
Kevin Lyons will never run for anything except re-election. His star has faded as well. Sullivan is a perfect fit for the district and could make this a very competitive race. That’s hogwash about his being harmed by trying for the 17th.
- I would be Shocked - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 1:05 pm:
Before 1970, if you were a politican in the South, the highest level you could obtain was a Senator because it seemed that the nation would never elect someone from the South to be president. If you are a 18th district Republican, it’s the same thing except you can’t even get elected Senator or possibly any statewide seat. Congressmen is the highest office you can obtain. So you are telling me with all of the State Senators, State Reps, State’s Attorneys, Mayors, larger city aldermen, and other politicans who would love to move up in the world, they all are going to agree that 25 year old Aaron Schock is going to take this? This is going to be a nasty primary for the Republicans people. Schock may end up winning, but I don’t see Republicans handing him the nomination on a silver platter. Someone like Raymond Poe could run, serve for ten years and Schock would still be 35. Plus if Schock loses in the primary or in the general, the Democrats are almost sure to pick up his house seat and the Republicans brightest prospect is fallen. I don’t think that’s smart politics, but then again this is the Illinois Republicans we are talking about.
- Little Egypt - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 1:12 pm:
Raymond Poe? The same Raymond Poe who couldn’t make up his mind if he wanted to run for Lt. Gov. or Rep? That Raymond Poe? LOL
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 1:32 pm:
Did it hurt Peter Roskam’s run in IL-06 that he had formerly run in IL-13?
- True Observer - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 2:19 pm:
Roskam ran in IL-13th in 1998.
Reapportionment occurred after 2000 census.
Apples should be compared to apples.
- Team Sleep - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 2:36 pm:
If Ray Poe ran for Congress, I would eat my hat.
Bomke is another good possibility. He can raise money with the best of them. He is also very smart and genuine.
- Rob_N - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 5:08 pm:
T.O., the point to Carl Nyberg’s post was that Roskam ran as a carpetbagger back in the day. Redistricting had nothing to do with that fact.
- Health Care for All - Friday, Jul 27, 07 @ 6:49 pm:
Let’s see if John Sullivan will get away without voting for Illinois Covered and then for congress. I do not think so. Also the two GOP candidates when 62% of GOP voters in that district have embraced Ilinois Covered. If Sullivan takes a pass on Illinois Covered he will never get the Democratic nomination for that congressional district.
- GOP 18 - Saturday, Jul 28, 07 @ 1:24 pm:
Too big a leap for the wunderkid. Jonathan Wright is a former State Rep. who is much more mature and grounded. He’s the Deputy State Central Committeeman too, I believe.