Report: Jason Plummer may run for Congress
Thursday, Sep 22, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Be still my heart, Jason Plummer might be back for more…
Jason Plummer, the young lumber scion from Edwardsville, is hoping to build on his run last year as the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in Illinois.
Plummer, 29, was scheduled to be in Washington this week, meeting with Republican officials about a potential challenge to seasoned Democratic U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello.
Last year, Plummer won a crowded GOP primary to earn the nod as Bill Brady’s running mate. The pair lost to Gov. Pat Quinn and another down-stater, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, daughter of former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon. […]
But if Plummer is once again prepared to put part of his family’s timber money into the race, he may find encouragement from a national party eager to evict a veteran Democrat from Capitol Hill.
He won’t be able to use much of his family’s money unless they do independent expenditures or contribute to a “super PAC” or something. It’ll have to be his own cash.
…Adding… Jerry Costello won with almost 60 percent last year. His opponent spent almost nothing, but that’s still a huge hill to climb for Plummer.
* Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Rick Perry is doing an October fundraiser in Carpentersville…
The event is being hosted by prominent and controversial social conservative Jack Roeser, who last year was quoted in media ads saying he’d heard rumors that then-U.S. Senate hopeful Mark Kirk is a homosexual. Mr. Kirk was elected anyhow. […]
The Texas governor “has got some guts” and is willing to talk about things that need to be discussed, said Mr. Roeser, who recently flew to Austin, Texas, to meet with Mr. Perry. Putting him on the 2012 ballot would help Illinois Republicans win enough seats to regain control of the state House and Senate, Mr. Roeser said.
The Perry camp also has been wooing Illinois House GOP Leader Tom Cross to come aboard, but no final decision has been announced. For the moment, that leaves Mr. Roeser as the Texan’s most prominent local backer.
I doubt Perry would help the GOP much with suburban women, considering his beliefs. He could actually hurt them there. But, Perry could help the party in Downstate legislative races, which is where the Democrats will be playing bigtime defense next fall.
* In other news, this revelation ain’t gonna help the Democrats in the Quad Cities area at all…
Former Democratic Congressman Phil Hare says his son is qualified for his new job as an assistant warden at the East Moline Correctional Center.
His comments come amid criticisms from a Republican Rock Island County Board member and a former union president who allege it’s politics as usual.
Hare said he feels bad that people waste time thinking he fixed the job for his son. He says nothing was improper.
Lou Hare starts next month. He worked four years at the Rock Island County Council on Addictions. He says he applied for the job like everyone else and has the credentials.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:38 am:
My “guy” jason might be doing the “right” thing for a change. However, a little advice for Jason and his Dad; Make sure you can PROVE all that money is Jason’s … The Feds don’t like all that “my money, his money” Shenanigans …
Way to go, major kudos. Look for my check, I’ll put a note in it “from Oswego Willy”.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:46 am:
Not sure that Costello is really that vulnerable, particularly with that robust campaign fund.
As for Perry, a Jack Roeser fundraiser as his first major step in the Chicago region is really disappointing. There has to be some other respectable business types who are willing to sign up with Perry… it’s basically a two person race.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:51 am:
Kind of out-of-character for Roeser to be backing someone who has a chance of winning something.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:54 am:
===Kind of out-of-character for Roeser to be backing someone who has a chance of winning something.===
Maybe Roeser is going “Bronx Tale” and is going to “Mush” Perry.
- too obvious - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:55 am:
Well Mitt Romney just got some great news.
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:55 am:
“young lumber scion” sounds oh-so adult film industry
- steve schnorf - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:56 am:
word, yes, and especially unusual if he were to back someone who could win twice in one year
- Bill - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 8:59 am:
Keep dreaming, Steve!
- Jake From Elwood - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:06 am:
Sounds like Mr. Plummer is trying awfully hard to find some other line of work for his young lumber scion. Perhaps the YLS is not a RP VIP.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:13 am:
I am a republican who has always voted for Costello, however that will change with the next election. Many of us are disgusted with Costello’s healthcare vote as well as Jr. Costello’s appointment to the Reitz seat. Go Plummer or any other candidate for that matter!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:13 am:
Jake,
At least Jason is trying to work his way up, and by going after an incumbent is pretty impressive for a run as opposed to just buying a constitutional office with no experience.
He should have done this level of a run in the first place.
- Solomon - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:20 am:
Plummer running again?
To quote Darth Vader: “DO NOT WANT!”
- reformer - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:20 am:
Someone should ask Rep. Mathias and Rep. Mulligan if they want Rick Perry at the top of the ticket next year.
Hard as it is to fathom, Perry is to the right of Bill Brady.
Evolution and climate change denial may work in GOP primaries, but it’s anathema to suburbanites in a general election.
- too obvious - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:24 am:
I thought Plummer was looking at a Shimkus challenge. There were lots of rumors. Must have been scared out of it.
- Shore - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:34 am:
I did the play by play here I think for the plummer debates last year and I have to say it was even more painful on television than my text summary was. The guy makes sarah palin look like kissinger and I am pretty sure your 17 year old high school debate captain nephew could have beaten him. The video is still up on wttw I am sure, and while I hope we win the seat and he did beat murphy, this guy is fingernails on a chalkboard to listen to in terms of watching him try to speak in complete sentences.
- Shore - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:35 am:
FWIW, anthony weiner also won by that margin in 2010 and his opponent just won that seat.
- L.S. - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:49 am:
Perry’s camp should ask Rudy Guliani what a Tom Cross endorsement gets you in Illinois.
- Bill - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:53 am:
shore,
Sarah Palin could never look like Kissinger.
- Way Way Down Here - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:53 am:
===The guy makes sarah palin look like kissinger. . .=== LOL
- Bill - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:56 am:
==this guy is fingernails on a chalkboard to listen to in terms of watching him try to speak in complete sentences.==
He should do very well then in Costello’s district.
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 9:56 am:
I know Jason and his family. I don’t understand this move - except from the possible “Oberweis” mentality that Jim Oberweis had when he refused to run for anything lower than a statewide or federal office. Jason could have been a very tough out for Bill Haine or Dan Beiser. The Shimkus stuff is ridiculous; Jason would have never come close to toppling John Shimkus in a primary. I guess Jason figures his time is now and that he can raise $1 to $2 million to even put up somewhat of a fight. I will say this: if he can raise some dough and poll okay, the NRCC will add him to its “Young Guns” program and give him needed resources. But that’s a big if.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:01 am:
===and his opponent just won that seat. ===
Weiner wasn’t in the race, so “his opponent” didn’t win anything.
- Shore - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:06 am:
turner ran in 2010, came back in 2011 and won. sometimes confident politicians in swing areas who haven’t had a tough fight in awhile can get taken to the brink. see kirk-seals 2006, bean-crane 2004 bean-walsh 2010 schilling-hare 2010.
if plummer runs I am starting a facebook group-”no more republicans for higher office who can’t put together coherent sentences”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:09 am:
Team …
That would be the only negative I see for Jason. If Jason loses this race, Jason WILL be Oberweis, going down the elected official food chain until he can be relevent, or his Dad cuts him off and forces him to get a real job.
Jason better take this seriously because there is a strong possibility that Costello could hand him his lunch on a stage and if he looks silly for a second time, there may not be a 3rd time for the reasons above.
- dave - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:16 am:
**FWIW, anthony weiner also won by that margin in 2010 and his opponent just won that seat.**
Come on Shore… do you really not understand the difference between an incumbent running and a non-incumbent/lousy candidate running?
- Ahoy - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:21 am:
Because Plummer was so impressive with his lack of knowledge on the issues.
- dave - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:21 am:
Also, Shore - there is a big difference between a special election and a normal general election.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:34 am:
Also, to make myself clear, Rutherford’s loss was considered a success because he used that loss to move forward in his career and build relationships statewide he didn’t have in the senate.
Plummer has no true politcal base (office) to build upon, and Ruterford looked polished and knowledgeable, while Plummer’s last run had him “hiding” and if Plummer looks inept this time too, this run will not help him in a later run like it helped Rutherford.
Just to clarify …
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:39 am:
So will we finally get to see his tax returns now?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:40 am:
47th, call me cynical, but I somehow doubt that Jerry Cosentino is gonna make that a major issue.
Just sayin…
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:49 am:
And Jerry Costello probably won’t either.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 10:59 am:
Isn’t Jason Plummer a combination of the worst of Jim Oberweis and Mark Kirk without the positive stuff?
I know Republicans–at least the ones who perpetually think of themselves as victims–think it’s a blow against the liberal establishment to win with a doofus. But sometimes its good to be governed by people who can deal with complexity.
- Adam Smith - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 11:33 am:
Costello seat could very much be in play this year and some DC GOP orgs have it on the radar. The quickest way to put it back in the Solid D column would be to nominate an uninformed wannabe with no meaningful experience who lacks eloquence and charisma. It again proves there are plenty of people with more money than sense.
Regarding Perry, you normally vet the host of your first big funder. This proves, as many of his observers have said, that the guy just doesn’t give a **** about conventional politics. So what if he offends Kirk and Jim Edgar. He probably would hate them as much as he hates Obama. It appeals to the frothing-at-the-mouth base, but is a recipe for disaster in the general.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 11:36 am:
Perry should care about “offending” Kirk and EDGAR? I’m speechless.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 11:38 am:
And besides, last story told, didn’t Kirk “work things out” with Roeser…or was that another persona that he can now deny?
- deep south - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 11:39 am:
I’m hearing the nrcc is actaully trying to talk Plummer out of running against Shimkus or Johnson - this is just the Shimkus wanna be’s passing the Costello rumor further, but it ain’t gonna happen Johnny.
- Adam Smith - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 11:45 am:
Yes. Mark Kirk has won an election in Illinois. Perry never will. He is a US Senator. He can raise more money than any Republican alive in Illinois.
Yes, I’d not go out of my way to offend Kirk if I was running for President. You may not want to beg him to be your state chairman but it is typical of the right wingers who see politics as a vehicle to punish those who do not comply with their agenda, rather than a process by which you try to build enough support to move the body politic in one direction or another.
Still lots of folks not familiar with the phrase, “it’s a game of addition.”
- x ace - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 12:15 pm:
Could it be that the Plummer kid is the new Anthony Robert Martin-Trigona ?
Grandiose delusions ?
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 12:18 pm:
How’s this for a soundbite?
“Plummer can’t get the one vote he needs to takeover the family business. If he can’t get his father’s vote, does he deserve yours?”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 12:30 pm:
Keep believing and repeating the mantra, Adam. Good for you! Gold star!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 12:31 pm:
(Adam, that was snark BTW.)
- Statesman - Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 2:19 pm:
Well Mitt Romney just got some great news. ——-
Classic! Roeser and his mob out in Carpentersville just can seem to get it right. First they back a whackjob named Deb Leticia Gordils to lead their voter registration, Latino outreach (not too effective) and now this? With friends like this the GOP needs NO enemies.
- ironman - Friday, Sep 23, 11 @ 1:24 am:
I feel that some of you fail to realize the fact, that Jason beat out well known statesmen for the Lt. Gov spot. It was Brady’s fault that he never won the Lt. spot. in the general election. He is a hard worker and would give a new fresh face to Washington, than Shimkus, or Costello. And Carl, Jason is part of the family business. Any employee who works all hrs of the night like Jason does, he is part owner of the family business…. Jason, Good luck what ever you do….