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* I told subscribers about this on Friday afternoon…
State Sen. Dave Koehler dropped his bid for Congress in Illinois’ 17th District on Friday and instead will seek re-election to his Peoria-area seat in the Illinois Senate.
In an interview, Koehler said he had to reassess what his priorities were, and he said he thought he could best serve in Springfield.
He said he was optimistic about his chances in the Democratic congressional primary but thought it best he run again for the Senate seat he has held since 2006.
“We felt we had a good chance, but in the end, we had to evaluate all the possibilities, and this one looked like it was the best one for me to pursue,” he said.
* I’ll have more for subscribers on Monday, but Democrat Cheri Bustos looks like the immediate beneficiary in the congressional race, but she has work to do…
It’s been hard thus far for Peoria County Democrats’ Chairman Billy Halstead to assess the strengths of the other candidates and what attention they might bring Peoria’s way, particularly in the case of the perceived frontrunner for his party’s nod, Cheri Bustos.
“I don’t know Cheri Bustos at all,” Halstead said. “I haven’t met her.”
Although he said he saw the value in having “another congressman from Peoria fighting hard” for area interests, he said in his view the most important thing was that his party come together and elect a Democrat to the seat.
The candidates remaining in the race on the Democratic side include Bustos, an East Moline alderwoman; Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp; Rock Island attorney Eric Reyes; and Augustana College diversity coordinator Greg Aguilar.
* And Koehler’s decision is having a domino effect on the rest of the local ticket…
Peoria County Board member Allen Mayer had previously declared that he’d seek the Democratic nomination for the 46th Senate seat, but is now backing down. At the outset of his bid he said he would not run against Koehler.
“I’ll be withdrawing my petitions at the appropriate point after (Koehler) files his petitions for re-election, and he’ll be doing so with my full support,” he said.
Mayer said he is exploring his options for what, if any, other office to seek in 2012. That will include a conversation with the declared Democratic candidate for the County Board seat Mayer now holds before any final decision is made. He and firefighter Rick Waldron were unable to speak Friday because the latter was on duty — and thus not able to discuss political business — until Saturday morning at the soonest.
One candidate who’s not making way for Koehler is James Polk. The former Peoria City Council member and current Illinois Central College trustee said he has no plans to exit the race.
“I’m going to stay in the race because … I have told people that I’m going to run,” he said. “I’ve got support because I’ve always stood up for what’s right … I can serve and fight for the working men and women of the (district).”
* Full statements by Sen. Koehler and Congressman Schilling are here.
You can bet there’ll be a mad scramble for petition signatures this weekend all over Peoria.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 2, 11 @ 10:56 pm
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