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Simon considering state Senate bid

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Illinois

* From the Southern…

Former-Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, of Carbondale, said she’s seriously considering a run for state Senate in 2016.

“I’ve been asked by several folks to look into that, and that’s what I’m doing now is weighing the options,” she said. […]

Simon said she’s eyeing the 58th Senate District seat being vacated by Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. While some have also encouraged her to run for the U.S. 12th Congressional seat held by Republican Rep. Mike Bost, Simon said she’s not as interested in that position.

She said the state Senate seat seems to be a “better fit,” given her interests in state-level issues and her frustrations with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 11:58 am

Comments

If she is the candidate, then the Republicans can win. Her record on guns will be problematic in the 58th district, and the fact that the Northeast side of Carbondale was drawn out and given to Forby wont help her either. The Dems better hope for Jerry Costello II.

Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:02 pm
She’s not her father …

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:03 pm
Oh please go away…

Comment by Cassiopeia Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:04 pm
I’m not a fan in any way, but it is nice to see that she now has enough self-awareness to aim for something somewhat plausible.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:09 pm
What Gooner said.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:10 pm
NO

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:18 pm
Simon is a very good person and would be a serious candidate for whatever she determines to run for.

Comment by simplequestion Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:29 pm
Is she going to knock on 10,000 + doors during her race? If she’s not going to do door knocking, she’s not going to win and was never serious about it.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:31 pm
==
I’m not a fan in any way, but it is nice to see that she now has enough self-awareness to aim for something somewhat plausible.==

She couldn’t even win Mayor of Carbondale. Anything above her old city counsel seat doesn’t seem plausible.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Who are these ==folks==?

Her decision to abandon Pat Quinn when he looked vulnerable to a primary challenge, after he elevated her and made her Lt Gov, leaves ill will towards her among many Dems and Reps alike.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Gooner +1

Comment by Century Club Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Sheila Simon.

When you don’t dance with the one who brung ya, I’m not inclined to look at ya favorably.

I would like you to run. Some people need to be taught multiple lessons.

You are not loyal. That won’t change.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Shelia is an intelligent and serious person who would be an asset to the Senate. I hope she runs and succeeds.

Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:01 pm
I liked her dad, she - not so much. I probably couldn’t support her if I lived in the district.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:06 pm
Seems that quite a few people who were forgiving of Pat Quinn’s disloyalty to his reform commission direct an awful lot of venom at Sheila Simon for her “disloyalty.” Most people forgave Barrack Obama for not stepping aside at his mentor’s request (let alone challenging her ballot petition signatures).

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:11 pm
==She couldn’t even win Mayor of Carbondale==

And that was with the support of Barack Obama, Dick Durbin, Lisa Madigan. In fairness, some think all the ==names== could have hurt more than helped in that race, but any loyalty she once had from the party is now mostly gone.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:11 pm
I am unimpressed with her for a variety of teasons. I wish her well butnindont think she has a viable political career. Shenis not a chip off the old block.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:30 pm
I feel sorry for her. She clearly has some personal issues going on that dictate a strong internal “need” for her to be in politics and in the public eye as a way to honor and emulate the career of her esteemed dad. But she is a different person, this is an entirely different political era, and she has repeatedly shown she does not have her dad’s skills, instincts, or advisers. She does both herself and Paul Simon’s legacy a disservice by continuing her strange, embarrassing, and unfocused quest for some office-any office– every two years.

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:32 pm
You can’t climb a ladder backwards.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:34 pm
True Oswego Willy. If everyone who forgot to ‘dance with the one that brung you’ in Springfield gathered there’d be no rooms left in town.

Comment by 8 Degrees of the Truth Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:35 pm
decent person and sincere - but badly needs good political advice on any subsequent run for office.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:38 pm
A good candidate will be Emily Burke from murphysboro for the GOP. Murpysboro has a congress man and a state rep. All we lack is a state senator.

Comment by Wstephens Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:39 pm
She will likely have to run against Rauner’s money since she has already stated her displeasure with his policies.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Simon exceeded expectations in 2014, suggesting she learned something, I would not right her off.

Anyone know how she did in the 58th in 2014? Much better than Quinn, I would bet.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 2:28 pm
She is going to become the Democratic Jim Oberweis

Comment by Not going to use my normal handle this time.. Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 2:45 pm
At least Oberweis has good ice cream

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 2:49 pm
A lot of hate mongers out today. I bet there aren’t 10 people on this site who can vote in her District. Heck, just count up the number of people who have posted comments on this question and see how many can’t even write properly.

Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Yeah you would think she is Bruce Rauner or something…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:03 pm
Tom excellent example of argument ad hominem….

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:19 pm
She did surprise me with her total against JBT. I dont know if that helps in a senate district down south.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:24 pm
She’s an awful fit for that district. No other Democrat in that area has been successful and run from where she is on the issues. Would be a snoozer for the GOP if she’s the nominee.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 4:04 pm
=== Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:24 pm:

She did surprise me with her total against JBT. I dont know if that helps in a senate district down south.===

That district does not contain nearly enough of Cook Co. to reprise that effort.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 4:30 pm
She needs more state legislative experience before she steps up to be a legislator in the US Senate. The State Senate would be ideal for her and Southern Illinois.

Comment by Just Sayin … Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 6:26 pm
===True Oswego Willy. If everyone who forgot to ‘dance with the one that brung you’ in Springfield gathered there’d be no rooms left in town.===

I read it once, didn’t understand it. Tried later, still confusing.

If you say loyalty is lacking in Springfield, then why was Sheila Simon’s lack of loyalty of obvious? Maybe, it’s because loyalty does matter, and people were watching.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:16 pm
This will be a humbling experience for her, no doubt.

Comment by econ prof Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 9:49 am