* Press release from yesterday afternoon…

Tonight, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that she will continue serving in the House of Representatives and run for reelection in 2018. Bustos, who publicly explored the possibility of running for Governor, was recently elected to Democratic House Leadership as the co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. In this new role, as the only Midwesterner in Democratic House Leadership, Bustos has been tasked with strengthening the connection between Democrats and working families across our heartland.

Because of this new responsibility, and in light of how high the stakes really are for our country after a month of Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Bustos determined that she needs to devote her entire focus to her work in Congress.

Congresswoman Bustos issued the following statement:

“I have always said that I want to be in the best position to help as many Illinoisans as I can. Over the last few months, I’ve given a lot of thought to whether I can make the biggest difference in Washington or in Springfield. Right now, too many hardworking families are suffering because of failure and dysfunction in both of those places.

“As I was considering the best way for me to serve, I was given a new opportunity to join Democratic House Leadership as the only Midwesterner sitting around the table. And with that comes the responsibility to serve as a voice for hardworking families from the heartland who feel like they’ve been left behind.

“Now that we’ve seen just how reckless, dangerous and divisive President Trump really is, the stakes couldn’t be higher for our nation. With my new leadership responsibilities, I have determined the best way for me to continue getting real results for working families across the heartland is by serving in Congress.

“I know the stakes are just as high for Illinois, so I will continue doing my part to hold Governor Rauner accountable for his failed downturn agenda that’s hurt our seniors, children and even victims of domestic violence. While the field of Democratic candidates is still forming, I look forward to actively campaigning for, and electing, a strong Democratic Governor who will stand up for all Illinoisans - from Chicago, to Rockford, Moline and Peoria. We have a lot of work ahead of us in the fight for more good paying jobs, better wages and an economy that works for all Americans. I believe I can do the most good for our state and our country by standing up for the values that unite us as Midwesterners.”

* NBC 5…

It could be a very expensive Democratic primary. Bustos did not answer directly how funding played a role in her decision but she noted “money and politics is something that we really need to address as a nation.”

“I’m a proponent of campaign finance reform in Illinois and federally,” she said.

Bustos said the average contribution in her recent congressional race was $27. She did not rule out eventually endorsing a candidate for the March 2018 primary.