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* UPDATED x1 - Boland makes a move * State Sen. Dave Koehler jumps into congressional race [Updated and comments opened]

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Illinois

*** 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.

posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, Jun 4, 11 @ 8:02 am

Comments

He already seems like a dud. This announcement obviously had no planning behind it. It’s like he woke up one morning and did a “look what I can do!” on us. For having Durbin power potentially behind it, this is already a very lackluster campaign.

With Hare out, now this can become an interesting race.

Comment by name Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 7:29 am
Cheri Bustos would be a very interesting candidate. Accomplished business career in healthcare, strong local media relations, and I’m guessing a pretty good potential fundraising network in Springfield and Washington.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 8:29 am
If State Sen. Dave Koehler is Sen Dick Durbin’s guy then I suspect Bustos will be a no go.
If Koehler has the Durbin backing I think all but Boland will get out.

Comment by Sue Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 10:00 am
If you look at Boland’s numbers in this new district in the Lt. Governor’s race he is a force to be reckoned with in the primary. I think he is the strongest candidate for the Dems in the primary. The toughest one in the general would be Schwiebert of Rock Island who can portray a moderate image and demeanor and hails from the geographic center of the reconfigured district. McNeil ran third in the state rep primary to Ahern and Lack so he is a non-factor. Koehler coming out of the southern tip is going to have problems plus being a sitting politician won’t be a plus in 2012. Don’t forget the Mayor of Freeport, Gaulrapp. He can win a plurality in a multi candidate race if he is the only north end candidate. He has the ability to make an appealing, moderate image in the general. Running against Manzullo in the old 16th was an impossible journey.

Comment by Jon Zahm Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 10:55 am
This is not a partisan comment but rather a realistic one: I don’t think Dave Koehler’s social positions will help him in the new 17th District. He may fit the fiscal and union profile but his votes on social issues and taxes are out-of-line compared to the people who make up the new district. If Senator Koehler hadn’t been anointed by George Shadid, been in such a friendly senate district and run in such a terrible Republican year, he would’ve had trouble winning a senate seat. I see a Quad Cities area person coming out of that scrum with the nomination. Even with an extra 80,000 to 90,000 people, that area is still 1/3 or more of the district population.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 11:08 am
why don’t you open the comments up on the jay Rowell appointment … after 5 on friday was a way for Quinn to hide it.

Comment by Word World Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 11:22 am
Rich - just wondering - how do you pronouce Sen. Koehler’s surname? Is it KOH-ler, KEH-ler, or KAY-ler (like Boehner)?

Comment by Southwest Cook Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 12:36 pm
The latter.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 12:44 pm
This race looks like a toss up. Boland and Koehler have bigger name ID, but the DCCC has encouraged both Bustos and McNeil to run. McNeil got 31% in a three-way state rep race last year, partly because the Illinois GOP targeted him for defeat in the Democratic primary. Wonder why?
If Bustos is the only woman who files, she’ll enjoy that gender advantage. But then Koehler comes out of Peoria with strong name ID and labor support.

Comment by NW Illinois Dem Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 1:31 pm
==This is not a partisan comment but rather a realistic one: I don’t think Dave Koehler’s social positions will help him in the new 17th District.==
Koehler being a retired minister should help here.

Comment by Robert Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 1:57 pm
I hope Boland runs against Schilling and wins! Go Mike you are our only hope. Nobody else from the QC should run or we may losse control of this vital political plum. John G lives through Mike Boland’s campaign for Democrat Congressman.

Comment by BolandFan Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 4:50 pm
==John G lives through Mike Boland’s campaign for Democrat Congressman. ===

That sound you hear is John G whirring in his grave. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 6, 11 @ 4:54 pm