* Bernie…
U.S. Rep. BILL FOSTER, D-Naperville, was apparently involved in an effort that could have changed the look of this year’s race in the 13th Congressional District.
But as it stands, U.S. Rep. RODNEY DAVIS, R-Taylorville, will still be facing Democrat MARK WICKLUND of Decatur on the Nov. 8 ballot in the district that includes part of Springfield. And the status of the independent candidate, Dr. DAVID GILL of Bloomington, is up in the air as his petitions have been challenged. Wicklund is one of those who filed an objection to the petitions this week.
Wicklund told me on Wednesday that he had received calls urging him to remove himself as the Democratic candidate, allowing Gill to be named to the spot.
Wicklund said one call came from Foster. Gill said Foster also called him.
Foster is a supporter of HILLARY CLINTON for president, but Gill said Foster “had had some talks with the BERNIE SANDERS campaign,” and “they just felt like the Democrats could have a much more effective campaign with me on board. I said I would give it some thought.”
You really should read the whole thing. It’s like the Keystone Kops.
Rodney Davis is a very hard worker, but it has amazed me that the DCCC and the state party did not find a viable candidate in that district, which has a ton of college campuses and leans “D” in presidential years.
Then again, I don’t know why I’ve been so amazed. It’s not like the DCCC has a great track record here, and the state party concerns itself with only one House of Representatives, and that one ain’t in DC.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 10:04 am:
How dare you insult the Keystone Kops by comparing their intelligence and task execution that of the DCCC in IL-13.
- Qui Tam - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 10:10 am:
Due to the 2-party system and fecklessness/complicity of the Dems, the many of us in the 13th continue to have no representation.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Bill Foster playing kingpin from the suburbs. The guy probably couldn’t find Decatur and if he did there’s no way he knows he could find Taylorville.
DCCC lives in the bubble that is Washington Politics and has no idea how to compete in non-urban/suburban turfs.
Davis works hard, but this seat is competitive if a good candidate was recruited.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 10:27 am:
===continue to have no representation===
That’s a pretty darned unAmerican thing to say. Goodbye.
- The Old Professor - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 10:33 am:
David Gill ran twice as a Democrat and each time, the DCCC slated someone else in the primaries. In 2002, he came within 1000 votes of winning. In 2004, there was a very strong progressive UIUC physics prof, George Gollin, who was also opposed by the DCCC. Don’t know if he’d have won, but he was obviously better than the slated nominee.
- Doode - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 10:37 am:
The time to beat Davis was out of the gate in 2012… Gonna have to hope for redistricting otherwise move along
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 10:50 am:
The DCCC largely ignored Gill when he ran in 2012. But they were gung ho to try to elect the empty suit Ann Calis in 2014. Gill almost won without their support and Callis got demolished with it. I’m not saying they don’t have an influence. I’m saying they clearly have no clue what’s going on in this district
- Indochine - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 11:16 am:
Exactly right, Johnny. Their sudden interest in Gill is bizarre.
What I am mystified by, though, is why the GOP wants Gill off the ballot. Why not divide the progressive/Democrat vote?
- wayward - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 11:26 am:
Was Foster contacted for comment? Seems strange that he’d basically help hand the race to Davis, even if the odds are long for the Dem nominee.
- frisbee - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:03 pm:
As far as GOP Congress critters go I like Davis. He took the time to meet with me briefly when i was in DC and he can be moderate on social issues that are important to me.
I also think Wicklund with the right resources and ground game could make this a competitive race but the DCCC always seems to muddy up the waters in this district.
- the Cardinal - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:21 pm:
Bill Foster is a really smart guy but not one I would follow over the political wall…however if you need to invent a better light bulb he might be the guy…Davis would work circles around the competion as it stands now or in the near future.
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 5:57 pm:
What? The DC Dems don’t know how to recruit or FOSTER real candidates?
Sorry couldn’t pass it up LOL
- Johnny Justice - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 1:03 am:
Gill would have easily won in 2012 if it weren’t for the independent on the ballot. If Wicklund checked his over sized ego at the door & allowed Gill to take on Davis one on one and with Sanders raising $$ for him Gill would stand a much better chance to beat Davis this Presidential year than when he almost beat Davis in 2012. Wicklund has 0 chance. His strange behavior makes onne wonder if he is a GOP plant.
- Madco - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 9:08 am:
I think some people underestimate what a skilled politician and campaigner that Rodney Davis is, and how smart his campaign operation is. I think most Democrats in the 13th realize how difficult it would be to unseat him.
- jake - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 10:38 am:
Here’s another Keystone Cop detail: Gill does not currently live in the district–which is ok. What is not ok is that he signed his own petition from his out-of-district address.
Talk about brain-dead.
- FredBoxer - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 4:16 pm:
Wrong, Jake– you’re letting your bias show. As Gill spoke with a signer, she began to write his name instead of her own. Realizing her mistake, she quickly crossed out his name, and wrote her own on the following line. BTW– Perfect cover for the “Wicklund as GOP Plant” concept: have both file objections.