Question of the day
Friday, May 5, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Cook Political Report…
IL-06: Rep. Peter Roskam (R) - Chicago west suburbs: Wheaton, Palatine
Lean Republican. Roskam was first elected in the Democratic wave year of 2006 over current Sen. Tammy Duckworth, but hasn’t had a tough race since. Now, after Hillary Clinton carried this suburban Chicago seat by 7 points, there’s a deluge of Democratic interest. Local college trustee Amanda Howland, who took 41 percent last year, is running again, but most early buzz is about Iraq veteran and former Veterans Affairs official Maura Sullivan.
IL-13: Rep. Rodney Davis (R) - South central: Champaign, Decatur, Springfield
Likely Republican. Downstate Illinois has trended away from Democrats, and Davis appeared to have locked down this seat after taking 60 percent last year. But in a wave environment, this Democratic-drawn seat could still come into play. Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana is in, but she comes from the liberal corner of the district. Democrats’ preferred candidate would be state Sen. Andy Manar, who comes from the rural southern end of the seat.
IL-14: Rep. Randy Hultgren (R) - Chicago north and west exurbs: Batavia, McHenry
Likely Republican. In 2012, Democrats drew this district to pack GOP voters, but these outer Chicago suburbs only voted for President Trump 48 percent to 45 percent. Hultgren’s voting record has been reliably conservative. It’s still a long-shot for Democrats, but there’s some local interest in Navy veteran and high school teacher Victor Swanson, who just announced. This seat would only come into play if there’s a big anti-GOP wave. [Emphasis added.]
* The Question: Should Andy Manar run against Rodney Davis, even though the district is ranked “Likely Republican”? Click here to take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
- BIG R. Ph. - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
Manar would be wasting his time and money. Davis has proven that he can beat the competition.
- Rayne of Terror - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:16 pm:
I voted no because I feel like if Andy leaves state gov’t before the school funding formula is updated, then it will fall to the wayside. Andy drives that bus and it would be too easy to park it and never get back to the road.
- The Captain - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
No. He might win that seat but he can’t hold it long enough to make a career out of it. His career is at the state capitol.
- Chicago J - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:23 pm:
Any Rep. that voted for the AHCA should be booted out of office, whether it be by Manar or someone else! The Dems will hopefully sweep Illinois in 2018
- blue dog dem - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:27 pm:
Thank goodness the AHCA passed. Now maybe we can get down to work and get a decent plan
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:27 pm:
My vote is No.
“Why?”
Sen. Manar appears to be more poised to move within the state governmental and political sphere, even within his old position(s) too.
The DC allure versus where the career path seems to be heading here, today, in Illinois, I just don’t see the trajectory moving forward, today, taking on an incumbent congressman, and if Manar wins, be a freshman congressman with two Democratic US Senators and others looking at a day when Durbin retires.
Voted “No”
- FIREDup! - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
Yes. Gill can’t win, Ammons may be a bit to controversial. Everyone’s all about running a woman right now, but I think Andy has the best shot at it. And if Rodney continues to avoid his constituents, he’s definitely beatable.
- Annonin' - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
‘Splain why Sen. Manar would want to go to DC and be in the minority? 1000 miles from home? Let Rodney dangle and district an be reassembled in 2020
- Epic - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:05 pm:
No, if he wants to go to D.C. he would be better off waiting for Durbin to retire and run for his Senate seat. Honestly I think he would have an easier time doing that
- Franklin Delano Bluth - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
Voted No. If he wins it then he’s fighting to keep that seat every 2 years and who knows what things are going to look like in 2018, much less 2020 or 22.
- Onlooker - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:13 pm:
I know it’s not the question, but I think Hultgren may be in more trouble than CPR stated. I live in the District and hear a lot of R’s fed up with the party at both the national and state level. Hultgren’s vote yesterday on health care is a real issue.
- Hit Em With the Hein - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
I voted no. Andy has done a great job of working the state focusing on school funding. He’s a great state wide candidate and hopefully will run for office like Sec of State. Think he would be great! I hope he doesn’t get dragged into a Lt. Gov spot. Durbin’s seat would be great too! The state as a whole will vote for him but Davis’ district will re-elect him, unfortunately.
- JS Mill - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:38 pm:
= Andy has done a great job of working the state focusing on school funding=
Meh, there is an awful lot of politicking from him behind the scenes, as well as an awful lot of self interest.
He would make a fine congressman.
- Macon Co Dem - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:46 pm:
The guy who goes home every night from Springfield to his family probably isn’t going to D.C. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen on the campaign trail. But I voted no because we downstate democrats need him in state government.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
Would love it if he ran and be excited to volunteer for his campaign. I still believe that district is winnable for Dems but it needs somebody who can unute and excite both the social justice Dems of the college towns and the economic justice Dems of Decatur and Metro East.
- CowMan - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
The only thing Andy dislikes more than DC is Donald Trump.. and the republican Congressmen who support his agenda. Just ask him.
- Nick Name - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
I voted yes, but after reading the comments here about how Manar would be better off staying in the state senate, I can see I should have voted no.
In any case, Davis’ “yes” vote yesterday on the AHCA makes him vulnerable, no matter how Republican-leaning his district is. And since the AHCA’s language basically makes being a woman a preexisting condition, Ammons might be the perfect candidate to unseat him.
- Tough Guy - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 4:20 pm:
I voted yes as Senator Manar should have the opportunity to run for higher office if he desires and I know he will do an outstanding job for us. On the other hand that would clear the way for Avery Bourne to run for Senate at which point I would say God help us all.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
Nope. Abacus Andy should hope the latest corruption in the SoS office convinces Secretary White to call it a day after a long career of public service.
Personally, I hope Annonin’ runs; maybe then I could get the AA vanity plates.