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Sen. LaHood may run statewide

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Illinois

* I told subscribers about this possible development earlier in the week…

Darin LaHood, State Senator (R-Peoria) and Dan Rutherford for Illinois Treasurer campaign staffer, may be looking to fill the seat of his former boss.

Appointed to serve the 37th District in the Illinois Senate in February of 2011, he was elected to a four year term in the senate on November 6, 2012. He may have his sights set on running for State Treasurer.

Two other perspective GOP nominees, Bob Schillerstrom, former DuPage Chairman and Bob Grogan, DuPage County Auditor.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 10:25 am

Comments

How much of a beating will he take from “the base” for his old man being in Obama’s cabinet?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 10:28 am
He’s been extremely conservative and a big disappointment. Doesn’t really want to listen to anyone.

Remember that he was part of the block that wanted to oust Radogno. The Senate may not be a very friendly place for him. He also may have realized that Rep. Schock isn’t leaving his Dad’s seat anytime soon.

Comment by WizzardOfOzzie Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 10:32 am
Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn announced he’s running for Comptroller.

Comment by Des Plaines River Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 10:38 am
Run Forest Run!

Comment by Spliff Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 10:40 am
He’s been a backbencher in the state senate for 10 minutes, aligned himself with the kook block, and forged himself a legislative record of accomplishment (NOT). Of course he should run statewide.

Sigh.

Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 10:55 am
Rich, please rewrite the lead above. I think you are talking about two different people. Senator LaHood is not a campaign staffer.

Comment by Jon Zahm Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 10:56 am
LaHood is my Senator and he has been a very active legislator, both in Springfield and the district. He has taken a lead on transparency initiatives and has been strong at shining a light on crony appointments to state boards and commissions. LaHood is very different than his father and should be judged on his own merits. I initially made the mistake thinking that he would be a moderate like his father. I have been proven wrong.

Comment by Jon Zahm Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 11:01 am
Jon, take it up with Battleground polling blog via Illinois Review, which is where that comes from. I didn’t write it.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 11:10 am
His father sold out in a nasty way. The son has done nothing to show himself otherwise. The tea party will devour him. This is the funny season for statewide bids where we hear every person with a pulse mulling a bid. by fall maybe 5 of them are actually in and by winter 2-3 are actually running serious campaigns.

next.

Comment by Shore Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 11:17 am
Agreed that the base may have some problems with him just on account of his dad, but should he be punished for the (real or imagined) sins of his father?

And flip side - does being Ray’s kid mean he’s got the potential backing of a lot of the old guard money men/Hastert/whoever else?

And finally, it makes sense. If the field is 2 DuPagers + a downstater, there’s a definite path for LaHood.

That said, I’d be with Grogan. Good guy.

Comment by DuPageExpat Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 11:25 am
I think he should run and learn what it’s like to lose. Have no respect for him at all. Blah.

Comment by Lil Enchilada Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 11:32 am
Lil…he knows what it is like to lose. He ran for States Atty in Peoria County and lost in the general.

Comment by Raising Kane Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 11:42 am
he is my state senator. he was appointed when Risinger resigned after being elected, then ran on his own and won; now LaHood wants to do something else; what is wrong with us (the constituents of the district) that no one wants to stay as our senator? jeesh.

Comment by susiejones Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 11:42 am
Ethan Hastert, Darin LaHood-a new team, a new last name for a new generation.

Comment by Shore Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 12:30 pm
@Jon Zahm, he worked for Dan Rutherford when he was running for TREASURER, his current office. He’s running for governor now.

Comment by Alexandra Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 12:39 pm
I like Sen. LaHood and I think he is smart and charismatic, two characteristics that people look for in statewide candidates. who is running on the DEM side for treasurer?

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 2:50 pm
He’s never won a contested election and is pretty far to the right for a statewide General Election. I think he’d be wise to sit tight for some time, build a reputation in the Senate and let people forget his dad went to work for Obama.

Comment by JOC Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 2:57 pm
** who is running on the DEM side for treasurer?**

Mike Frerichs, who also already has over $500,000 in his campaign account.

Comment by dave Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 3:42 pm
Great….add in one more person who just wants higher office and has no idea on the specifics of the office. For once I’d like to someone run who has the background to match the needs of the office.

Comment by Lost In Chicago Thursday, Jun 20, 13 @ 5:52 pm
Ray Lahood reminds me a lot of Simon in terms of his broad appeal and respect. The family name has a lot of good will behind it.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jun 21, 13 @ 8:27 am