* From a press release…
Jil Tracy, retired Illinois State Representative and Lieutenant Governor Candidate in the 2014 Republican Primary released the following statement:
“I am announcing today that, after much thoughtful discussion with my family, I am not going to seek the Republican nomination for the 18th Congressional District.
We gave careful consideration to all aspects of the upcoming race. I conferred with Gov. Rauner, and while he has not yet made the official timeline of the special election cycle public, I have decided that my family obligations will not fit with the requirements of running a vigorous campaign in an abbreviated cycle. Concluding that, I want to make my intentions public as quickly as possible so the constituents of the district can decide who will best serve us in Congress.
I’m grateful and humbled by the outpouring of encouragement and support I have gotten over the past 2 weeks, and I am quite certain that my public service is not over. I will continue doing my best to make sure that our region stays a place where we fight government overreach and wasteful spending, where we embrace fiscal responsibility, where we support the family, promote education, agribusiness, and commerce, and where we are unwavering in defense of our constitutional rights.”
* Meanwhile…
For Dan Brady, winning a seat in Congress would mean he would have to step down as a partner in a Bloomington-Normal funeral home.
“That is a consideration,” Dan Brady said Monday of the federal rules regarding outside employment by members of Congress.
For Ed Brady, it would mean an end to his climb up the leadership ladder of the National Association of Homebuilders, where he is on track to become the leader of the organization within the next eight months.
“It does weigh on my commitment,” Ed Brady told the Quad-City Times Springfield bureau.
- G'Kar - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
Not surprised at all.
- Sir Reel - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:13 pm:
Not sure she could’ve won but I’m disappointed because all the others who’ve shown interest are worse IMO especially Lahood.
- Dirty Red - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
Probably a good move by Tracy. It sounds like there is too much stacked in LaHood’s favor right now.
Dan could probably return to the funeral home later on if he took an unsuccessful shot. I imagine it would not be as easy for Ed to come back if he pulls the trigger on a run. I do not see an early path to victory for either Brady - especially the latter. Dan at least has some name ID and the reputation of being at every pancake and sausage breakfast in his district.
- EZ - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
I’m not surprised, but I do think it’s a shame, if only because I think Jil would bring a lot to the table. Still, there’s undoubtedly something down the line for her.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
The LaHood operation has been quite impressive. The field is almost clear.
- Annon3 - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
Will all the lose ends be tied up before the Governor sets the date for the election?
The LaHood camp is doing a swell job.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:27 pm:
LaHood consolidated quickly, and almost completely.
We’ll see what Tracy has in mind down the road, but this says more about LaHood than Tracy here.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:29 pm:
This stinks.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
The 20 million dollar hammer pounding down some loose nails.
- Michael Westen - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
Very reminiscent of how Peter Roskam cleared the field after Henry Hyde passed away.
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
Whew. Thanks local GOP for saving us schock constituents the trouble of having to actually cast a ballot in a special election that’s gonna cost us central Illinois taxpayers millions no matter what.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
Is cuz4congress the only protest vote?
- Robert the Bruce - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 4:16 pm:
==The LaHood camp is doing a swell job.==
==The LaHood operation has been quite impressive. ==
==LaHood consolidated quickly, and almost completely==
Who should get the credit for scaring off the rest: LaHood or Rauner (”We get to pick LaHood’s successor”)?
- JS Mill - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
LaHood- The empty vessel that could! / snark
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 4:47 pm:
- Robert the Bruce -,
It’s all about the backfill for Rauner. Can’t blame him.
Period.
- anonin' - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 5:06 pm:
Perhaps the CUZ4CONGRE$$ could snag the Senate seat — servin’ with Murphy, McCann et al would be a mind numb-er
- joe cannon - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 5:26 pm:
So who would rauner want to backfill with? LaHood was 110% behind him anyway, so the backfill argument doesn’t hold water to me. Rosenthal or Brauer, I get, Moffitt I’d get, but LaHood? Rauner’s wife wouldn’t have been a more loyal vote than LaHood.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 5:56 pm:
- joe cannon -,
It’s about controlling the aspect of the backfill. Rauner wants 100%, that’s the game here.
I’m still with the “Cuz”. Walk sheets are walk sheets! lol
- PoliticalPro - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 5:57 pm:
I remember Ray LaHood’s boy running for Peoria County state’s attorney in 2008 and losing. I also remember Ray LaHood’s kid being intimately involved with Dan Rutherford in campaign for Illinois Treasurer in 2010. But I can’t recall a single competitive race Darin has ever actually won? So I wonder why battle tested politicians like Schilling and Tracy are deferring to this novice? Is the LaHood Dynasty really that powerful?
- quincy - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 6:12 pm:
No Great loss. She didn’t do much but draw nothing but a check while she was a state rep
- railrat - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 6:23 pm:
compromise for something else?
- GraduatedCollegeStudent - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 7:05 pm:
===So I wonder why battle tested politicians like Schilling and Tracy are deferring to this novice?===
With regards to the pizza boy….
Obviously completely different electorates, but Bustos won the parts of Tazewell and Peoria county that were in 17 by 8856 votes in 2014. Or with 64.5% of the vote, if you prefer. Bustos took 59% in 2012 as well.
Yes, Gerrymander, but his message doesn’t seem to resonate much outside of the Quad Cities.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 8:10 pm:
Will schock endorse LaHood too?
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Mar 30, 15 @ 11:33 pm:
==So I wonder why battle tested politicians like Schilling and Tracy are deferring to this novice? ==
20-40 million reasons. It’s Bruce’s party now. Welcome to the Grand Oligarchic Party. The millionaire calls the shots. While there are limits on direct contributions to LaHood, there are plenty of ways to help him and take down any opponents. This went so smoothly it makes you wonder who took out Schock.