*** UPDATE *** Nope. From Bill Brady’s spokesman Dan Egler…
Rich:
Sorry to diminish the spectator sport here. Brady had some people suggest he should consider a Congressional run in the 18th or new 13th, but after the briefest of consideration told them his focus is on reelection to the Senate and continuing to work to fix Illinois’ problems.
(He hasn’t made any calls seeking support for any Congressional run, and you’ll recall he announced for re-election earlier this week.)
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Oh, man, I hope this is true for purely spectator reasons…
Schock shock? Sneed hears state Sen. Bill Brady, the GOPer who came this/close to beating Gov. Pat Quinn, is making calls to explore running for Congress against Rep. Aaron “Mr. Abs” Schock.
Discuss.
* Roundup…
* From an e-mail: Word in Kane County is John Laesch is planning on running in the 11th District. Possible Foster/Laesch rematch. His website John06.com is down for “maintenance”
* Alderman Bustos considers run for 17th District: East Moline Ald. Cheri Bustos has added her name to the growing field of Democrats considering a 2012 run for the U.S. Congress from the newly-redrawn 17th District… Former, long-time Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert said Thursday his hat is still in the ring. He said he’s also close to making a final decision.State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, publicly has announced he’s running.
* Hultgren could face Walsh in 14th District
* Here’s why Illinois Hispanics say one seat in Congress may do for now
* Illinois Democrats, Republicans, clash over second Hispanic Congressional District
* Redistricting Journal: Dems look for big gains in Illinois
* War on Women Is Democratic Rallying Call Against Republicans: Emily’s List cited the Medicare plan as it singled out nine House Republican freshmen as its first targets next year, months earlier than in the last election. They are Paul Gosar of Arizona, Allen West of Florida, Robert Dold and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Chip Cravaack of Minnesota, Joe Heck of Nevada, Frank Guinta and Charlie Bass of New Hampshire and Steve Stivers of Ohio.
* GOP Freshmen Promise Cuts, Spend Big in First Quarter: GOP Freshmen Promise Cuts, Spend Big in First Quarter: Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger is the biggest freshman spender, dishing out $78,000 on “mass mailings and communication” to constituents, including a pamphlet explaining “some of the ways we can help” in government interaction
* Republican freshmen spend big bucks on cars, PRL: The biggest newly elected spender in this realm is Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who authorized spending $78,518 in taxpayer money on “mass mailings and communications” — just under $900 for every day he was in office during the first three months of his congressional career. Kinzinger sent a pamphlet to his constituents explaining “some of the ways we can help” in interactions with the government. Kinzinger also advertised the “state-of-the-art multimedia section” on his website. His office told POLITICO in a statement that it has no more plans for franked mail after it sent a mailing to 217,000 houses across the district.
* GOP freshman fundraising off new Congressional map: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) is fundraising off the new Illinois congressional map. His campaign is urging supporters to “fight back” and “stop Chicago Democrats’ Illinois power grab.” The goal is to raise $20,000 by June 30, which marks the end of second quarter fundraising, according to his campaign website.
* A Letdown from Freshman GOP Congressmen: According to Politico, more than a dozen of these budget-conscious freshmen spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on these items. Including the biggest spender, Illinois’ Adam Kinzinger.
* Editorial: Let the races begin
* Johnson happy to represent Macon County; less happy about process
* Officials slow to sign rail minority hiring agreement
* Matthews Fails to Convince Dem Congresswoman that Bush Tax Cuts Were All Bad
- Louis Howe - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 6:51 am:
Brady must be missing the spotlight a lot. Running against the Schockster would light up central Illinois republicans. Perhaps Schock’s “Mens Health” exposure convinced Brady and others that there was too much of a Congressman Wiener-like demeanor in him? However, Brady will soon realize that competing with Aaron takes more energy than he’s willing to give.
- Pingu - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 7:02 am:
Not exactly Lincoln/Douglas debate material.
- wordslinger - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 7:29 am:
Bill Brady never struck me as someone who wanted to go to Washington — more like a King of Springfield kind of guy.
Still, as long as the GOP has a chance to retain a majority in the House, it becomes more tempting.
But I doubt that he takes the chance. Schock’s the incumbent, has never lost a race and has a boatload of money. No anti-Quinn votes in a GOP congressional primary.
- just sayin' - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 7:45 am:
Brady v. Schock, never happen.
Brady doesn’t have the abs, I mean guts.
- downstate hack - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 7:55 am:
Brady better check the polls. I don’t think he could get within 10% points of Schock.
- Excessively Rabid - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 7:56 am:
That seems unusually stupid.
- Wumpus - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 8:07 am:
Schock vs. No Socks
- OurMagician - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 8:17 am:
Might give him more time to focus on his home building company’s issues after he loses. Oh that’s right, his is the only one doing well and he has nothing to do with the ones that aren’t doing well………
- Kerfuffle - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 8:31 am:
Bad form Mr. Brady!
- Jimmy CrackCorn - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 8:41 am:
That must be a juicy opposition research file you have there Sen. Brady, because there is no way you are coming remotely close in fundraising
- name - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 8:42 am:
Cheri, don’t run. Don’t humiliate yourself for your ego’s sake AND make the QC lose its ability to be the home of the sitting congressman. You’ll split the vote. “East Moline needs you and your leadership” or some crap. Just… stay out of it. Ok? Nobody wants you. “Cheri who?”
- Fed up - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 8:47 am:
I doubt Schock is worried about bill Brady. Brady is probably tired of his current position.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 8:48 am:
Methinks Sneed is wrong again. Brady challenging Schock is dumber than a box of rocks. Get it? Forget it.
- OneMan - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:00 am:
So if Laesch gets in the race with Foster and then that business guy gets in the race I suspect Laesch (whichever one it is) will be the candidate on the left. Foster and the other business guy split the middle vote and Laesch could end up your nominee.
Also interesting that unlike last time I haven’t seen anything yet about Foster committing a bunch of his own money early again (he did last time in part to clear the field).
Currently according to the FEC he may not be rolling in the dough.
Illinois
FOSTER, G. WILLIAM (BILL) 11
NET $4,555
Distrib $4,564
On Hand $80,002
Debt $1,401,450
As of 03/31/2011
- Pink Girl - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:15 am:
@OneMan you think Jennifer Laesch will run?
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:19 am:
The Laesch’s need to put their egos aside. Neither John or Jennifer can win a general, they are way too left for that area.
- Ahoy - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:33 am:
Brady couldn’t even beat Quinn, what’s he thinking?
- Boone Logan Square - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:37 am:
How does Brady look without a shirt?
- Jimbo - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:37 am:
I sense some crazy Andy ads coming from the Brady Camp, ala the Kirk Senate race
- Jimbo - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:38 am:
Or was it the other dude playing those creepy radio ads about Sen. Kirk’s “private life”
- OneMan - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:43 am:
@Pink Girl, part of me does, if John runs it will be his third time, thanks to the committeeman stuff and the county board stuff she has some exposure in the area and one woman vs a few men isn’t a bad thing.
However Parking Meter you are correct they are way to left for the district.
- walkinfool - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:49 am:
Eveybody’s calling everybody, just to see if there’s a chance. Most don’t have the fundraising ability; and most donors aren’t committing.
Still I hope Brady runs at Schock. They can have an “best abs” contest, and join that crowd in Congress?
- Pink Girl - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 9:59 am:
@OneMan, she is on the Central Committee, but most of that area is gone. Did she lose the County Board election or not run again? I always thought she was the brains behind John and may have pushed him to see her views (Kinda like Linda LaVia’s husband does)
- Nearly Normal - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:02 am:
I doubt that Brady will run for Congress. He may surprise me.
If he runs for re-election, he should win even in his newly configured district. That’s an income he can almost count on whereas running against Schock will require quite a bit of fundraising for a primary battle.
Brady is now a part of Senate Repub leadership so methinks he will stay in the Senate and work up towards the leader post.
It would be an interesting primary battle for sure.
- FanoMike Jacobs - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:14 am:
Looks like Cheri is getting in to help Mark Schwiebert win the race. We all know that the more progressives on the ballot, the greater chance we have at getting a conservadem elected. Great thinking Cheri!
- just sayin' - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:15 am:
Bill Brady doesn’t have the abs, I mean guts.
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:19 am:
@Jimbo
Andy Martin had ads featuring Jack Roeser yapping about Kirk.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/28/andy-martin-gop-senate-ca_n_404936.html
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:23 am:
Don’t underestimate Cheri. She can get backing from a lot of Big Dems not only in the State but nationally. Having known her for years its not about her ego, she is one of the most down to earth person I know.
- D.P. Gumby - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:26 am:
“stud” v. dud? Who would ever expect a GOP primary where I could actually cheer for Schock!? “Elizabeth, I’m comin’ to ya1″
- reformer - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:38 am:
Running against Schock would end Brady’s career.
- OneMan - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:39 am:
@Pink Girl Yeah a decent amount is gone, but it is a good way to interact with a lot of other folks in the state party. You get to know a lot of folks on the ground on the other hand Foster has the people skills of the physicist he is.
I suspect she might be the ‘brains’ behind John, but I have say Linda has stuck me as smart on her own her husband seems like his own guy…
I think she either lost the primary for county board or didn’t run for the full term, not sure which was the case. Heck Johnny almost beat Foster with little cash.
- CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:45 am:
NoTaxBill actually has a lot of gut
This would be a great race. But the GOPs would lose NoTaxBill for the 2014 gubernatorial. Or is that the plan here?
In the congressional all the satisfied homeowners could have a field day
- FanoMike Jacobs - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:48 am:
Porter McNeil, also got the backing of a lot of Big Dems. We all remember what happened there, right?
- FanoMike Jacobs - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:51 am:
Speaking of Porter, he’s probably going to be the one to wrap up the nomination. He’s the only one that has shown true leadership on most issues and he’s done a lot to bring rail to the QC’s.
Plus he is somewhat “Kennedy-esque” He’s a true leader, and not a silly alderman from the jilted city of East Moline.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 10:54 am:
“Schock”ing?
St. Senator Bill Brady is looking to run for Congress, and he is looking specifically at Congressman Aaron Schock,
To wit: Bill Brady wants to move up and out of Springfield and breathe Potomac air.
The upshot: Brady feels this move can propel him to even higher office.
The backshot: Not may people are WANTING Brady in higher office.
The “ab”shot: Brady will need to do more than sit-ups to take out Illinois’ “Cover Boy”
The final shot: Brady’s perfect hair versus Schock perfect abs make for a perfect primary.
Sneedless to say, Brady will not have to waste time hiding everyone’s favorite Student Council Vice-President in this race.
- Regular Reader - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:00 am:
Nothing against Brady at all, but if he takes on Schock this might not end too well for him.
Schock’s been pretty popular in his past two congressional races. District changes in 2012, but I guess what would Brady offer that would really differentiate him from Schock and convince voters he’s the better conservative?
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:18 am:
People who know Aaron Schock have always told me that privately he’s more liberal than his movement conservative image. I hope incumbency scares off/discourages Brady b/c Brady is more ideologically consistent.
I really think Schock might actually work with the Dems on some stuff.
- Shore - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:19 am:
schock has 1.2 million cash on hand. Hamos, who was a mere state rep was able to raise that in 6 months to take on dan seals and nearly beat him. Brady probably has 100 percent name id and has been through big campaigns before unlike hamos.
the other question that pops into ones mind regarding brady if he’s wondering when his next shot will come at his age and how many he has left, quinn 2014? durbin 2014?if schock moves on?
- crazy - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:20 am:
I think a Brady and Schock match up would be great but then the problem arises of who will be the lesser of two evils.
Maybe this is the way to get rid of Brady once and for all…
@ahoy- Brady would have won if it wasn’t for cook county and Quinn’s attack on Brady’s “killing puppies” bill.
- Robert - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:25 am:
Schock would seem to be a tough opponent with this fundraising and field operation. His new district - more conservative or less?
- siriusly - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:39 am:
@ Pink Girl I think that is a total cheap shot at Rep. Chapa LaVia and not accurate at all. No reason to be like that here.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:42 am:
Brady will crush Schock, and he’s got nothing to lose.
No point in sticking around the Illinois Senate.
- qcexaminer - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:44 am:
And speaking of McNeil, his problem is that his most powerful patron is Dick Durbin, who, according to Rich, is the one who pushed Koehler forward.
But then, I voted for Ahern in the primary.
In any event, I’m just happy that it looks like we will have an open, honest primary for congressman this time, rather than the backroom deal that gave us Hare.
Earlier this year, Hare and Denny Jacobs both predicted that money would not be wasted on a primary, and the Dem nominee would be selected, not elected.
I guess no one told them about big chunks of Peoria and Rockford joining the QCs in the 17th CD!
- The Captain - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:45 am:
If Brady was mid-term I could see the rationale a little better.
- Lil Enchilada - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 11:57 am:
I think Cheri Bustos would make a great Congressman. I don’t know her personally but have heard quite a bit about her and her many accomplishments.
- RMW Stanford - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 12:01 pm:
I can pretty much guarantee you that the Brady vs. Schock race is not going to happen.
- I mean really - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 12:38 pm:
Whew. For a second there, I thought Billy was going to live up to his campaign talking point and limit his time in the senate to 10 years.
Honestly, I think term limits serve a purpose, but I’m not convinced they solve all of our ills. However, it would be nice if pols who call for limits actually self-imposed. The rationale seems flawed if it’s not as important when the limits aren’t obligated. If you believe the limits should be imposed, then you should believe the reasons for limits are just as valid when they aren’t mandated.
Term limits…the policy that only applies to campaign rhetoric and everyone else.
- OneMan - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 1:03 pm:
@Oswego Willy…
Not bad but you need a restaurant and Burke reference
- NW Illinois - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 1:39 pm:
In the 17th CD, word on the street is that the DCCC has encouraged three to run: Koehler, Bustos, McNeil. Also, Durbin’s people are telling folks they’re neutral.
- Lil Enchilada - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 2:21 pm:
Has Boland officially announced? Ugh. That’s all I got.
- Team Sleep - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 2:53 pm:
I live in Aaron’s current district. I used to know Aaron before he won his seat. I know his staff well. Aaron and his people (staff, supporters, donors, etc.) are a well-oiled machine. He would crush Brady fairly easily (my guess: 60-40). And people need to remember that Aaron has two PACs (his own and a leadership PAC) and that he hasn’t had a serious challenge since, well, 2006. He can raise as much money as he wants. My guess is that he runs statewide in 2014 - and I think he could win.
- jake - Friday, Jun 10, 11 @ 4:49 pm:
Didn’t know which thread to put this in, but the judge just ruled in favor or Healh Alliance’s suit for a restraining order to prevent the new health care contracts from kicking in. Much rejoicing, weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth to follow, depending on one’s perspective.
- big enchilada - Monday, Jun 13, 11 @ 7:04 pm:
Cheri bustos can’t run for congress. She doesn’t even live in Illinois anymore except for on paper. She lives in des moines, IA. She’s been living there since 2008. Has the media taken notice of this? Nope. I wonder why?
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 13, 11 @ 8:27 pm:
Big Enchilada, Cheri Bustos lives in East Moline, is an alderman there and has been the sharpest knife in the drawer in the Quad Cities since the 1980s.
Cheri is the the top of the heap, daddio. A blind man can see that. It’s a big distict; I’d advise any primary opponents to forget about the Quad Cities.
Cheri is just way too smart, way too cool, way too good.
- big enchilada - Wednesday, Jun 15, 11 @ 2:01 pm:
You can talk about how great she is all you want, but you can’t argue where she lives. She works in des moines! She commutes everyday? Come on.