*** UPDATE *** From a press release…
Former State Representative Mike Boland will be attending a fundraiser for Winnebago County Auditor Bill Crowley today and meeting constituents and local officials to discuss a potential Democratic candidacy for Congress in the 17th Congressional District. The former representative is seriously considering a run for Congress against freshman Rep. Bobby Schilling.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* It’s about as official as it gets…
Just a day after acknowledging he was considering a bid for the Democratic nomination in the newly drawn 17th Congressional District, state Sen. Dave Koehler says he’s taking the plunge.
“The more I’m involved with the public and in an elected capacity, the more I’m convinced what people are striving for is really simple: It’s fairness and common sense,” he said Friday in announcing his formal decision to run.
“We know we have to live within our means, we have to cut spending, we have to cut the deficit. Does that mean we cut Medicare? Contrast that to tax cuts (for the wealthiest Americans). I don’t think that passes the fairness test in people’s minds.”
He views this race, should he win a possible Democratic primary and then the general election, as a chance to be involved in national decisions at the highest level.
“There’s nothing that tops what Congress does,” Koehler said. “That’s involved in every area of our lives.”
I’m told that US Sen. Dick Durbin played a role in this decision.
More…
With former Rep. Phil Hare of Rock Island saying Thursday he will not run again, that opens the door to what could be a crowded Democratic field.
Former Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert, former state Rep. Mike Boland and East Moline Alderwoman Cheri Bustos all have said they’re considering candidacies. Also, Porter McNeil, who used to be the spokesman for former state comptroller Dan Hynes, said Friday he’s considering it, too.
…Adding… Other remap and campaign stuff…
* Sommer, Brady don’t appear headed for GOP face-off
* State Rep. Barickman running for Senate seat: Cultra said Thursday he is not ready to announce whether he will run for the same Senate seat. He would face a primary fight with Barickman, who also sought the senatorial appointment that went to Cultra.
* Quinn signs off on new remap - Governor OKs Democrat-drawn legislative boundaries
* Reis, Shimkus stay, Jones out in new district map
* Three Lawmakers Lose Wheaton in Redistricting
* Springfield mayor optimistic about impact of new U.S. House districts
* Editorial: Spike the maps: Governor, we repeat: Send them back. Force lawmakers to draw a fair map. June is a new month, with new rules. It takes a supermajority to pass a bill, and that means bipartisan cooperation.
