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* Rep. Bost is coming up on 20 years in the House, so this move would make sense, both from a pension and a career standpoint…
When asked Wednesday if he was thinking about running against U.S. Rep. William Enyart of Belleville in the 2014 election, state Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro said, “I’m not saying no. But I’m not really making any announcement that I am yet.” […]
Bost said he has not yet put together a formal committee.
“I’m working with some friends and talking with some people about some options that might be avail-able,” Bost said. “You know you’ve got to at least look. So, that’s where I’m at right now.”
Bost, 52, was born and still lives in Murphysboro. He served in the Marine Corps from 1979 to 1982 and has been in the Illinois House since January 1995.
The best indication that Bost is leaning toward a congressional bid is that his name has all but dropped from contention for House Republican Leader.
* Another indication is that the NRCC is already polling his name…
The results showed that in the 10th District former Rep. Robert Dold, a Republican, led Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider 44 percent to 39 percent, with 17 percent of survey respondents undecided. The survey had a margin of error of 4.9 points.
For the 12th District, the results showed Republican state Rep. Mike Bost leads Democratic Rep. Bill Enyart 33 percent to 27 percent, with 40 percent undecided. The margin of error was 3.3 points.
I plan to poll both of those races very soon.
* And speaking of the race for House GOP Leader…
Minority House Leader Tom Cross is looking at a 2014 bid for Attorney General. The decision is a big one. If Cross runs for AG, he’ll need to walk away from his House leadership position. A statement from his political office this weekend said much depends on a Democrat - Attorney General Lisa Madigan and whether or not she will run for re-election in 2014.
“[Cross] has been asked to consider running for Attorney General by Republican Leaders from across the state and he is listening to what they have to say and will evaluate his options should Lisa Madigan decide not to seek re-election,” an email from political director Kevin Artl said. “But right now, he is devoting his time and energy towards recruiting candidates and raising funds in preparation for the 2014 House Republican campaign program.” […]
Saturday, IR contributor Chris Robling suggested Urbana native Erika Harold run for AG. Other persons whose names have been circulated for the spot are State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Westchester) and Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran.
* Right now, anyway, Rep. Durkin is running for HGOP Leader. His main opponent is Rep. Tim Schmitz, another suburbanite. Rep. Rich Brauer is also reportedly interested. I’ll have more for subscribers later this week.
* Also, this…
State Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, R-Morrisonville, is hoping the organization of downstate Republican Illinois House members he leads can help improve the party’s fortunes.
After election to his second two-year term in the House last fall, Rosenthal was elected chairman of the 29-member Downstate GOP Caucus.
In addition to being a voice for those mostly outside metropolitan Chicago (at least one Cook County representative, Tom Morrison of Palatine, is a member), the group this year created a political action committee. It’s called Downstate GOP, and it raised about $40,000 in a spring event at Poe’s Catering on the Hill, which is owned by Lance Poe, son of Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield.
Another event will be hosted in August by Rep. Charles Meier, R-Okawville.
“The reason for it is to help support our downstate candidates,” Rosenthal said. “All the races take a lot of money and a lot of support.”
Keep your eye on that guy. He’s becoming a major player.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 10:40 am
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I was hoping for some movement in the HGOP Caucus, I guess once the first domino falls, the exodus may begin(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 10:55 am
Bost would feel right at home in the DC land of talking points and blowhard no-nothings.
Comment by Abe the Babe Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 10:56 am
If Bost leaves. then Bill Black has to come back!! We need someone on the GOP side to have fits of rage and fake heart attacks on the floor when the dog days of May roll around…
Comment by Mmmmmmm Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 11:01 am
Bost has a good chance against Enyart.
Being in the minority and having no clout, like his predecessor Costello gives Enyart nothing to talk about.
Comment by Downstater Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 11:02 am
U.S. House GOP needs a level-headed, quietly effective leader like Bost.
No, seriously, he’d fit right in with that crowd.
I wouldn’t try karate-chopping one of those 800 page bills, though.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 11:12 am
Being an Independent, I vote for the person and not the party but it would be hard for me to support Tom Cross’s candidacy for the top law enforcement position in the state. One would expect an Attorney General to uphold the laws and the Constitution of our state. Cross and all of the House members that voted for the Madigan pension plan turned their back on the Constitution by voting for a plan that most House members knew beforehand was illegal. It is not at all unreasonable to question the honesty and integrity of anyone who voted for that plan. The fact that Cross voted for it makes him unfit for that office.
Comment by Dude Abides Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 11:40 am
Abe-that was unnecessary- there are other places for that. There are easier ways to say that without sounding like that.
I remember many moons ago on this blog a “Time for Tom” campaign one of the cross staffers had launched arguing for him for Governor in 2010. I’ve been unimpressed with him and his surly senate counterpart madame radogno. I like Jim Durkin, but he comes off as a sad guy still upset that the part stiffed him in 2002.
Dold’s mother sent out a fundraising pitch for him at midnight this morning asking for a birthday contribution. She’s appeared in his ads, paid for the house he currently lives in outside the district he wants to run in. At some point a guy has to stand on his own two feet.
Comment by shore Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 11:53 am
Juxtaposed with the Plummer post, this is interesting. DC GOPs and the metro east folks could have had Bost last time. But they wanted the “self funder”
Comment by Ouch Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 12:21 pm
If Bost can convince the Metro-east crowd to support someone from Jackson County, then I think the General would have his work cut out for him.
I’ll be interested to see what your pollster uncovers.
Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 1:35 pm
I am a life long Republican from Bost district, who will not support him. I have heard from several groups of state employees, most retired. They feel that Bost has turned on them. He can yell, scream and cry all he wants. They are trying to find a canidate to run against him in the primary for his house seat. He currently has a large number of current and retired state employees in his district. Bost is going to have problems keeping his house seat in 2014. He might want to consider a run for congress!
Comment by Retired Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 1:38 pm
Bost played the victim card, and loved to scream and yell his outrage as a member of the minority party in the Illinois House. He wasn’t much help, except to break the boredom.
However, as a member of the majority in the US House, we might see some real effectiveness.
Comment by walkinfool Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 2:48 pm
–However, as a member of the majority in the US House, we might see some real effectiveness.–
Trouble is, there’s no effective majority in the U.S. House except a coalition of the Dem minority and a few dozen “moderate” GOPers. The GOP majority can’t be whipped to pass anything but symbolic legislation.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 3:12 pm
20 years in the House…that is a large voting recrod for Enyart to work off of.
Comment by Under Influenced Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 3:12 pm
===Bost is going to have problems keeping his house seat in 2014. ===
Don’t be a fool.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 3:40 pm
Word: Let’s give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he’ll do better in a more supportive environment.
(I was trying to be nicer this week. That didn’t last very long!)
Comment by walkinfool Monday, Jun 24, 13 @ 6:12 pm