*** UPDATE *** Hmmm…
John Atkinson, who had been exploring a Democratic House bid from a Chicago area district, suspended his campaign on Tuesday, faced with the prospects of tough primaries in either of the two districts he was considering running from.
“I believe that it is in the best interest of my community and the state for me to suspend my exploratory campaign and support Bill Foster in his effort to become my Congressman in the new 11th Congressional District,” Atkinson said in a statement.
…Adding… From Bill Foster…
“In his words and in his actions, John Atkinson put his principles and his love of country ahead of political considerations, traits that would make him a great public servant. I am very proud and humbled to have his support. I share John’s concerns about job creation and the direction of our nation, particularly Republican efforts to end Medicare as we know it and balance the budget on the backs of Illinois seniors . There is a right way and a wrong way to get our financial house in order, and I look forward to a vigorous debate about these issues with people like John Atkinson at my side,” said Bill Foster.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]*
Not unexpected…
Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth submitted her resignation, the VA confirmed for me on Monday.
One of her options will be to return to the Chicago suburbs to run for a House seat from the new 8th Congressional District and I bet she does. […]
If Duckworth ran for the House again, she would have a much stronger position than the first time around. Her resume is more formidable — since 2006, she has run the Illinois veterans agency and has been one of the top VA officials in Washington — and she would be running from a more Democratic district. […]
There is a potential for a Democratic primary. Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi has already announced he will run. He lost his Democratic primary election for state comptroller in 2010.
* There’s more than just a “potential” for a primary. Krishnamoorthi has already lined up several endorsements, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle…
Krishnamoorthi announced he has the endorsement of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, State Rep. Jack Franks, DuPage Democratic Party Executive Director Amy Rohrer, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner Mike Alvarez , and Cook County Board of Review commissioner Larry Rogers Jr.
That’s not a completely killer lineup, of course, but it’s enough to give one pause. Krishnamoorthi has also provided the media with a breakdown of his performance in the new 8th District during last year’s Democratic primary for comptroller. Click here to view it. According to his campaign, Krishnamoorthi scored 62 percent against David Miller in those precincts.
* On to another district…
Democrat Bill Foster, announced some fairly impressive endorsements in his comeback bid in the new west suburban 11th District.
Included: former U.S. Sen. Adlai Stevenson III, former Illinois Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, and state Rep. Linda Chapa La Via, D-Aurora.
And Mr. Foster reports that he’s given to a local food bank the $1,000 campaign donation he received from “Weinergate” figure U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner. Mr. Foster notes that the donation from the New York Democrat came more than three years ago, but Republicans have been yapping about the money.
* Subscribers found out about this earlier today…
Mike Frerichs said he gave a congressional race a lot of thought but has decided to run for re-election to the state Senate.
Frerichs said Monday that he considered a challenge to U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, in the new 13th Congressional District that includes Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, most of Springfield, Decatur and parts of Bloomington-Normal.
The marginally Republican district extends all the way to Madison County and the Illinois suburbs in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
“I’ve thought about this and I think I could have a good run for Congress. I think I could spend the next year and a half being a good senator for the area. I think I could also be a good father. But I don’t think I could be all three,” Frerichs said. “So I think I’m going to take a pass at Congress now and concentrate on running for re-election to the state Senate.”
* And Koehler cranks it up a notch…
Now that state Sen. Dave Koehler has announced his run for Congress, he’s working quickly to get the nuts and bolts of his operation in place.
When we talked early last week, he was still working to hire a campaign manager, and said most of what he’s spent time on since his announcement has involved having a phone glued to his ear.
The campaign plans a swing through both the Quad Cities and Rockford this week, trying to hit up the other major cities in a district that stretches from central Illinois all the way north to the Wisconsin border.
As for response to his run? “It’s been quite encouraging so far,” he says.
Koehler’s first formal fundraiser for the race also is on the books. It will be June 24 at the Jay Janssen Law Center in Downtown Peoria from 5 to 7 p.m. (C.K.)
* Related…
* Proposal would end pensions of convicted former congressmen, but not Blagojevich
* Redistricting wears on Republican freshmen: A House GOP source, for example, noted that Rep. Adam Kinzinger, 33, would bring “more energy, fundraising ability and a brighter future” to a showdown with the 67-year-old Don Manzullo, who hasn’t had a serious reelection challenge since he was first elected in 1992.
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:12 pm:
While everyone admires Duckworth doesn’t she still have to drag that Blagoof anchor along.
BTW is everyone else still scratching their heads over the Tribbies puf piece on CommandoMakeITUp Kirk today?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:29 pm:
Raja v. Duckworth just proves that the Democrats are not an organized political party. The voters will win with either, but we’ll end up wasting money to sort this out. I like them both, so I’ll save some money by staying out of it.
Kirk’s new “leadership” is awesome. He’s going to prevent the next Blago from getting a pension. His bill won’t keep Rod from getting his pension, it will only apply to new members of Congress. 2 and half hot wars, a horrible economy, and a deficit he voted to create and THIS is what Kirk is working on? Boy, that’s some leadership friends. It’s the US Senate, not the County Board. What a waste of time and newsprint.
Am I the only person who hopes that Kirk will become a victim of his own legislation?
- Shore - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:34 pm:
the killer line from that tribune story 47th was kirk slamming obama and peter fitzgerald in the same sentence.
- Anonny - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:40 pm:
Agreed with 47th.
The last place these things should be decided is a primary.
With the new redistricting in place, there is no reason to waste time, energy and resources deciding who gets what on elections.
This stuff should all be settled well before primary season.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:52 pm:
My parents live in the new 8th District (they are in the L that goes up to Buffalo Grove and Wheeling). They are getting a very good primary between Raja and Tammy. Both are highly qualified candidates for office, and its a hard choice.
- Skoein Forever - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:54 pm:
I like Tammy, but I’m getting tired of hearing her name floated for every open job in the state.
Raja would be one heck of a congressman, I think. I met the guy while he was campaigning for comptroller, and I was really impressed. Absolutely no airs about him.
Shame there has to be a primary.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:54 pm:
Speaking of imbeciles, your comment sounds inappropriate and/or excessively rabid anon.
She lost her legs in a helicopter crash while serving her country in a war zone. I’d count that as just as impressive as an Ivy League education, but then I have some class and you apparently do not.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:56 pm:
@ anon 12:43 p.m.
Your comment regarding Tammy Duckworth’s legs is disgusting. She lost them fighting for her country - a huge sacrifice for our freedoms. Freedoms such as this one - to freely speak.
Shame on you!
- Go Tammy! - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:01 pm:
My guess is we are going to keep hearing Tammy Duckworth’s name until she becomes an elected offical.
She’s too talented not to be.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:03 pm:
Raja shouldn’t have to wear the jacket for Mr. Imbecile’s remarks.
- JL - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:04 pm:
@Anon, besides the obvious insensitivity to her heroic military service.
Apparently, Rahm Emanuel did not think Tammy Duckworth was an imbecile when he encouraged her to run for congress.
Appartenly, President Obama thought she was worthy of a senior administration position.
Apparently, about 48% of a Republican leaning district did not think she was an imbecile.
Maybe look in a mirror if you want to call someone an imbecile.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:07 pm:
Linda Chapa is a nice pickup (also means she will not be running) also might mean that she is running for mayor. Holmes doesn’t cover a large part of the district with her current district. The others are nice names I guess, but I think most folks will go who?
The Chapa-LaVia endorsement isn’t a surprise for a bigger reason however, there isn’t exactly a lot of love lost between her and the Laesch family. Jennifer Laesch ran against her for state central committeewoman (and won) Jennifer felt that Linda worked against her in her county board primary race.
I still think the most interesting thing is Foster has not tossed some big money down to his campaign again. Not sure if it is because he thinks/knows he can’t outspend the other rich guy.
As for Adli the III being an impressive endorsement I am a 40+ political junkie and I barely know who the guy is.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:10 pm:
Yeah go with that, that will play well with those of us idiots who had to go to schools with directions and states in their names. Because of what school your SAT and your parents money was able to get you into is a perfect indication of leadership skills…
Our last governor went to Northwestern and he was obviously a genius and highly competent. In fact so much so that they are talking about him in a federal courthouse right now.
Nice post Skippy McTroll
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:13 pm:
And if Blair Hull treated his ex-wife better we may not have a President Obama today. If he didn’t keynote the Democratic National Convention in 2004 we might not have a President Obama.
Take it from an Illinois Republican, ifs and buts are nice, but reality is reality.
- Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:20 pm:
- Whereas, Tammy Duckworth is a complete imbecile, who is only famous for not having any legs. -
Ummmm, is Rich out to lunch? Pretty appalling remark there.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:33 pm:
Hopefully Duckworth improves her campaigning. During her carpet bag run at IL-6 she constantly refused to debate Roskam, at least 10 times that I remember. She did agree to the “debate” held by the League of Women Voters, which I would hardly call a debate, since interaction between the candidates is not allowed.
If she takes the same approach during her primary run, she may yet again have an eye-opening experience.
1. Village of Addison (August 9)
2. Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce/Kiwanis (August 15)
3. Fox News Chicago
4. ABC 7 Chicago
5. AARP (September 7)
6. WLS 890
7. Streamwood Chamber of Commerce (September 23)
8. Iraq Debate (September 13)
9. Jay Stream Middle School (September 29)
10. Our Savior Lutheran Church (September 30)
- BolandFan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:34 pm:
Sen. Koehler hit the ground running and may keep former state Rep. Mike Boland out of the race, but I don’t know about newcomer Eric Reyes. Former Congressman Phil Hare is set to endorse Dave Koehler as are a host of Quad City labor unions. Schilling is yesterdays news. Although Rep. Boland has an outside chance of winning should he get in the race, but his inability to raise campaign funds could well keep him out of the race.
- Still Stuck with Sen. CPA - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:36 pm:
@ anon 12:43 p.m. That’s one of the more vile comments I’ve seen here. You are not doing your guy any favors by peddling that line.
@ oneman Foster has told folks he doesn’t want to spend a lot of his own money this time around. As for Chapa, she just likes to hang with the front runners, although you’re right about her dislike for the Lashes. No love lost is an understatement. And Chapa isn’t running for mayor. At least not against Weisner.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:37 pm:
I think we know who the true “imbecile” is here.
Definition: “Anyone low enough to bring up Duckworth’s loss from war injuries as a negative slur.”
- soccermom - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:40 pm:
I think Tammy Duckworth and Raja Krishnamoorthi are both excellent candidates. And I agree with anon on a very narrow point — losing your legs in the service of your country does not qualify you for holding elective office. It is the courage that you show in your road to recovery, the sense of duty and public service that you display in your subsequent life, and your willingness to buckle down and work hard despite devastating injury that make you qualified for public service. And it seems to me that Tammy Duckworth meets all of those qualifications. Should be an interesting primary.
- Lakefront Liberal - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:45 pm:
I am really surprised by the comments on here saying that this (Tammy vs. Raja) should be decided before the primary. Decided by who — the machine kingmakers in their proverbial smoke-filled back room? Is that really what we want — some closed-door process where someone who thinks they know it all decides who our choices are? No thanks — I like democracy better!
Not only will a contested primary between two good opponent not be a “waste” it will be a benefit as it will give a huge boost in name recognition, volunteer recruitment, donor list buiding, and staff experience to the eventual winner.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:47 pm:
Durbin v. Quinn…I think I know how this primary ends.
- RMW Stanford - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:50 pm:
@ Go Raja!
No by itself it might not make some one qualified to run for Congress, but it does mean that they deserve a certian level of respect for what she did and gave up for her country. Your comments are sicken to say the least.
- And I Approved This Message - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:53 pm:
Tammy vs Raja in a hotly contested primary? Surely the head of the Democratic Party of Illinois would help negotiate a way out of that scenario. Oh, wait…..
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:01 pm:
@ Still Stuck with Sen. CPA
I would argue that him tossing down the cash early kept some folks out and as much as he seems to acting like this is an ‘Aurora’ congressional seat, it is a lot more than just that and there are Democrats outside of Aurora (and inside) who I suspect might be willing to take him on (not just the ‘wealthy businessman’)
I suspect he didn’t want to spend that much of his own money that last time he ran either
Last time he was able to win while avoiding almost all of the forums and debates because he had such a cash advantage. It will be interesting to see how he does without it.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:02 pm:
Lakefront Liberal,
Duckworth’s entire political career has been a result of the guys with the sincere suits and big cigars. She captured major newspaper endorsements, and had the backing of Illinois’ Democratiic senators, Barack Obama and Dick Durbin, and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the Chicagoan who heads the House Democrats’ fundraising efforts. Even Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., helped generate money for the Army Reserves major.
We need only look at the fundraising for her 2006 primary run. 87% of Roskam’s contributions came mostly in the three zip codes surrounding his home in Illinois while only 51% of Duckworth’s contributions came from the state of Illinois. She won her primary by only a couple of hundred votes against a little know opponent.
She was picked by the Democratic establishment and funded by them.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:06 pm:
Hinz just posted that Atkinson dropped out……. interesting…
- reformer - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:18 pm:
Rep. Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates in the 8thh endorsed Raja in last year’s primary. So did the Hoffman mayor.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:20 pm:
So no Atkinson.. Wonder if he will return the money he has raised so far?
So this helps Foster, but I still think there will be one more non-Laesch legitimate Democrat running in the primary. Not sure who yet, anyone here any names coming out of Joliet?
- MrJM - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:20 pm:
anon@12:43 - You are either 1) a troll, or 2) so toxic that you will be nothing but a detriment to the candidate of your choice.
In either case, Rich’s inevitable banning of you will be best for all parties.
– MrJM
- MrJM - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:23 pm:
(And if Rich doesn’t find that “anon@12:43″ and “GoRaja!” are the same pin-head, I’ll eat my hat.)
– MrJM
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:38 pm:
MrJM
had the same thought… The IPs will be interesting…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:54 pm:
Wow. Seems like Raja Krishnamoorthi should get someone with just some plain “common sense” out to do some damage control for him before it’s too late.
- TwoFeetThick - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:58 pm:
I think Captain Fax needs to add some sort of like/dislike button where enough dislike votes makes an obscene comment like anon@12:43 disappear. I recall the, um, less-than-successful blog remodel he tried awhile back had something like that, but maybe it’s not possible with the current setup.
- Skoein Forever - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:08 pm:
@Cincinnatus
The question will be whether she gets that kind of establishment backing again. Methinks no. Especially because Raja comes from the Obama / Axelrod fold. The elites will stay out of this one.
The reason why I like Raja is I think he’s been really pounding the pavement out here, getting to know the local electeds. They all really like him and want to go to bat for him. Oh, and, btw, he raised a TON of money for a primary in 2010 — granted some of that Asian money might stay out of the race. The Indian money will not, however.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:09 pm:
Helping a friend run some errands and didn’t check the blog. Sheesh. Lifetime banishment city for both of those yahoos.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:12 pm:
=I recall the, um, less-than-successful blog remodel he tried awhile back had something like that, but maybe it’s not possible with the current setup.=
Rich’s call obviously, but I don’t see why WE have to make such a huge adjustment for bloggers like this.
Let THEM learn our ways.
- Robert - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:18 pm:
great job by the regulars at cap fax to call out the yahoos. it seemed to shut them up.
tammy and raja, two strong candidates with fundraising prowess - should be an exciting race to watch! is a republican going to even bother running in the 8th?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:29 pm:
Thanks to all, but if you see this happen again and I’m not around, call me. Text me. Or something. Thanks.
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:29 pm:
Must have been some great “errands”
BTW for those of scoring at home do we score this Atkinson as a dropout in two campaigns or just one?
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:31 pm:
Skoein Forever,
Like you, I am pretty sure that Duckworth is eminently beatable, especially by a hard working politician. The fact that Raja beats the streets will certainly outweigh these politicians who think they can swoop into a district and are somehow entitled to win the race. I am frankly surprised how many times Duckworth is supported by the Democratic elite. She has an attractive resume, but zero elected experience. I wonder what Quinn will appoint her to after she craps out here…
- TwoFeetThick - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:31 pm:
Anonymous@3:12, I agree. Just a thought for minding the blog when our fair blogmaster has a life to take care of.
- Jim - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:34 pm:
how do you tell the yahoos from the yahoos?
- Inish - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:38 pm:
In addition to being a war hero- and then a piblic servant, let us not forget she had a job as a helio pilot- military leadership is no less worthy than civilian. Both fine candidates- and I anticipate they will work it out on their own- Raja pulled the trigger fast- my guess he will step back. Just a guess. But both fine candidates- perhaps we can convince either of them to move to the new 14th and boot Walsh to the curb .
- Chester J. Lampwick - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:43 pm:
Interesting that the 11th was meant to discourage Foster by not including Batavia and allure Atkinson by drawing Burr Ridge into the district yet what happened was the complete opposite.
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 3:50 pm:
If Duckworth had run on her work record instead of soley on her war record, she may have won. At least she is running for the seat that would represent her household.
She is approaching John Cox/Oberweis levels of running.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:01 pm:
Wow, for Raja’s sake I hope the people (person?) who made those two posts aren’t involved in his campaign. I can’t think of a more ineffective attack on an opponent than that. Duckworth’s got her flaws as a candidate, so you’d have to be crazy to attack her biggest strength.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:04 pm:
Have to say I am a bit surprised by Atkinson move, wonder if Foster had some questions he didn’t share with the media on the polling he did.
So is he going to keep everyone out or are we going to get a Joliet dem in this.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:09 pm:
@ Wumpus, I do not think Tammy Duckworth is anywhere near John Cox/Jim Oberweis, she has only actually ran once.
Also, what happened to Scott Harper, doesn’t he live in the new 11th and has a following in Naperville among progressives?
- Frank - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:26 pm:
So has Atkinson ruled out running against Lipinski? None of the stories mention the 3rd District and last I saw he was still considering a run against Lipinski as well as a run in the new district.
- Lojix - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:41 pm:
Atkinson won’t be running in the 3rd either. Check the Greg Hinz article.
- Frank - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 5:04 pm:
Lojix, I don’t see where Hinz’s article mentions the 3rd CD????
- psmyth95 - Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 11:26 pm:
@One Man 2:01pm; the district is more than Aurora and I do not think Bill Foster will win a second time — look at Holmes and Wintermute? Aurora voted for Foster if you recall, the rest of Kane County voted against him and he lost big time. If he’s not interested in putting in his own money, and he’s a poor fundraiser then were is the money coming from.
Chapa Lavia is not a big endorsement, she’s tired of being a State Rep and is looking for other opportunities — maybe an appointment somewhere. Holmes is just following the Democratic candidate. No read endorsements there, and if that is all Foster has to hang his hat on then he is in trouble. This district will go Republican if a strong candidate emerges.
- Lojix - Wednesday, Jun 15, 11 @ 10:23 am:
Frank,
“The 11th District was created by Springfield Democrats largely to lure Mr. Atkinson from running against Congressman Dan Lipinski in the adjoining 3rd District. But Mr. Atkinson also has decided to bypass that race, since his home was moved from the new 3rd into the new 11th District.”