[Updated and comments opened.]
* Jason Plummer will run in the 12th Congressional District Republican primary. The 12th is currently represented by retiring Democratic Congressman Jerry Costello…
“I’m going to run in the 12th,” he told The State Journal-Register. “I made the decision this morning.”
Plummer had also considered running in the new 13th, which includes part of Springfield. But also living in that district and running for another term is U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana.
Plummer, 29, said there’s plenty of need for good representation in the new 12th, where longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, recently announced he’s not seeking another term.
The Illinois General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, drew new congressional maps this year following the 2010 Census. Plummer said his current residence is in the new 13th, not far from the 12th. He plans to relocate into the 12th, which takes in a chunk of southern Illinois that includes Belleville, East St. Louis, Alton and Carbondale.
* He could face Rep. Mike Bost in the Republican primary…
State Rep. Mike Bost, a Republican from Murphysboro, said Tuesday he’s considering a campaign for the 12th Congressional District. […]
Bost says this could be Republicans’ best shot at taking the seat. He expects to make a decision on running in the next three or four weeks.
Three other Republicans have already announced their candidacies in the race. They are Roger Cook of Belleville, Theresa Kormos of O’Fallon, and Teri Newman of Highland.
*** UPDATE *** Monroe County Republican Chairman Myron Neff claims Plummer is the NRCC’s guy…
Plummer has been polling in the downstate 12th and 13th CDs, for the past few weeks, and he’s been encouraged with the results. Neff says Plummer, who invested in his own 2010 bid for Lieutenant Governor with GOP candidate Bill Brady, will be funded.
“He’ll be able to raise the money,” Neff said, “and the NRCC is 100% behind him. This seat will be one of the top five for them.”
- Team Sleep - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 9:20 am:
Even if Chairman Neff is on to something - and I like Myron a lot - the NRCC needs to make up its mind ASAP because there could easily be two quality candidates (Plummer and Bost) who are passing petitions, shaking babies, kissing hands, etc. And yes, that is a joke. But if the NRCC wants to show it’s serious, they need to get behind someone now and not waffle until next April when a winner is declared and the rubber chicken circuit in SW Illinois is almost over. Jason is a serious candidate. I know he has a lot of issues and detractors, but he still won a competitive primary last year and he and his running mate came thisclose to winning the governor’s mansion. He has wealth and plenty of fundraising connections.
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 10:23 am:
Gotta suck for Bost if it’s true.
The NRCC would rather have a horrible campaigner who is a millionaire’s son than have Bost.
Guess it shows the NRCC doesn’t have much respect for Springfield legislators.
But maybe Plummer can run a campaign that avoids him taking questions–at least serious questions–on video.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 11:29 am:
Well Jason … run well and win…
However …===Jason is a serious candidate. I know he has a lot of issues and detractors, but he still won a competitive primary last year and he and his running mate came thisclose to winning the governor’s mansion.===
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Brady and Jerry Clarke HID Jason so they could win, so Jason didn’t prove to be too much of an asset.
Also, winning is winning, but at 28, it was the Brady ticket that turned out to be the loser by having to hide him. Do you remember “Chicago Tonight”?
Take a breath, let Jason run and then decide if he is serious, or a rich kid finally going about building a resume from the ground floor.
I will.
- mokenavince - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 12:34 pm:
The NNRC always is happy when the candiate has
plenty of cash. I just can’t take him seriously.
Dad ought to let him grow up.
- East Sider - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 1:16 pm:
Plummer may not play well in Chicago, but he’s very popular in Southern Illinois, particularly Southwestern Illinois. I don’t see Bost getting in now that Plummer has announced.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 2:03 pm:
I would like to see a poll showing Bost v. Plummer … I doubt it would be overwhelming for Plummer v. Bost, who is also “popular” in his district and the region …
I am sure a poll will be “leaked” with both in the mix … actually, I would … bet on that
- anon - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 2:56 pm:
Before you jump to the conclusion that the NRCC is indeed supportive of Plummer, consider Neff may not know what he’s talking about…
- walkinfool - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 3:01 pm:
Plummer is a joke, who wouldn’t even be considered without his inheritance. Bost is for real, and deserves respect for his efforts for the citizens across Illinois. Let’s see if the GOP leaders pick wrong once again.
- East Sider - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 5:17 pm:
It doesn’t matter who the NRCC decides to “back” in the primary. Plummer will outwork Bost and outspend him. Bost has good name ID in his district, but most people in the metro east have never heard of him. Plummer has the edge in name ID.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 5:30 pm:
===It doesn’t matter who the NRCC decides to “back” in the primary. Plummer will outwork Bost and outspend him. Bost has good name ID in his district, but most people in the metro east have never heard of him. Plummer has the edge in name ID.===
I think EVERY person who ran against Mike Bost said they would outwork him and outspend him. Last I checked, all those other guys gave concession speeches, while Bost keeps getting sworn in.
I don’t think Plummer wants to face Bost, like Bost would would prefer not to face Plummer’s cash.
Funny thing about an election record, it doesn’t lie. Bost is tough to beat. If Jason thinks Bost is easy, like every other candidate, then Jason better not quit his “day” job, whatever his Dad gave him this week to do that is.
- Steve Downstate - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 8:24 pm:
Plummer turned out so well for Bill Brady, didn’t he? Especially that part about not opening his taxes because he wanted to protect his family’s privacy (”and other people’s privacy,” if I’m recalling what he said in 2010).
One thing is sure. If Jason Plummer gets elected to Congress, I’m going to be all over the C-Span schedule in order to DVR any and every committee hearing where he’s likely to pop up. No need to tape The Office or 30 Rock when comedy like that is in town.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 8:51 pm:
–The NRCC would rather have a horrible campaigner who is a millionaire’s son than have Bost.–
Millionaires can write powerful checks to the NRCC.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 17, 11 @ 8:59 pm:
It wouldn’t be all bad for Jason to be in DC … isn’t that where Old Man Daley sent HIS headaches, and Richie learned it so well, he got Luis, and Rod, and Quigley to “move out”? …
Getting Rod to go was easy …Keeping Rod out there was the problem …
word … Funny thing about money, no matter who has it, it all works the same. NRCC loves money, and the looser the faucet, the more the NRCC will love ya.