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* UPDATED x1 * Tom Cullerton drops out

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State Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park says he’ll drop his bid for Congress in 2016 and run for re-election to the Illinois Senate instead.

Cullerton was one of the Democratic contenders in the 8th Congressional District to try to replace U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who is running for U.S. Senate. […]

His exit from the race leaves businessman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and fellow state Sen. Mike Noland of Elgin as Democratic candidates for the seat. But with months left before candidates have to file for office, others could get in or out. […]

Krishnamoorthi has led early fundraising, pulling in $621,041 to Cullerton’s $134,761 in the second quarter of the year. Noland reported raising about $64,516.

That money gap was probably a big reason that Cullerton woke up to reality. Also, without him, the Senate Democrats were in real danger of losing that seat.

*** UPDATE *** Sen. Mike Noland…

I’ve had the privilege of serving the people of Illinois alongside Tom Cullerton, and I’ve come to admire and respect his commitment to public service and the people of our communities. Tom is a military veteran, something we have in common, so I know that he believes in being a part of something greater than any one individual. Those of us who have served have a unique understanding of what it means to put the good of the community ahead of your own personal interests. I think that’s what drew us both to public service. I know that there are many great things ahead for Tom, and I wish him the best of luck in his re-election campaign. I look forward to working with him as the congressman for this district for years to come.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 9:52 am

Comments

Leading in the polls but couldn’t raise any money. Will be massively outspent to hold his state senate seat. 2016 is going to be a blast to watch unfold!

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 9:55 am
Can Cullerton now take the money raised for his Congressional bid and put that into his re-election bid? Any GOP candidates yet?

Comment by Samuel K. Gove, RIP Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 9:56 am
@SKG,RIP: I would think he should be able to, up to the cap ($56k & change).

Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:04 am
The GOP has Randy Ramey in local parades with campaign signs for that seat. Remember he was a state rep, was drawn out of his district, ran agains Carole Pankau for the 23rd Senate Seat in the 2012 GOP primary and lost. Pankau was subsequently bounced by Cullerton in the general.

train111

Comment by train111 Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:05 am
Raja v. Ramey would be a barn burner.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:08 am
Please Ramey v. Noland! Please Ramey v. Noland! Please Ramey v. Noland!

This debate is sponsored by Uber and Plagiarism.org!

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:10 am
Train - do you mean that Rep. Ramey is running for the 23rd State Senate District or the 8th Congressional District?

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:11 am
Cullerton is a great guy and it’s too bad the funds could not flow for the Congressional race. he’s a very hard worker and he knows his district well. knock on, Tom!

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:11 am
23rd senate dist

train111

Comment by train111 Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:13 am
IL08 is looking good now, no expensive primary and a great favorite candidate in Raja.

Comment by villaparker54 Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:14 am
Thanks. That makes more sense. Nothing against Rep. Ramey, but he doesn’t quite strike me as someone whom the NRCC would recruit. I do think he’s a good candidate to run against Senator Cullerton. I gotta admit that I really like Senator Cullerton. He’s very friendly and has an awesome sense of humor. He doesn’t take himself too seriously when he’s under the dome and around town.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:17 am
Big fan of Raja! His statement this morning about Cullerton dropping out was civic, graceful, and statesmen-like. Cullerton did the best thing for House Democrats, Raja is best person to replace Tammy Duckworth.

Comment by Nancy Bright Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:19 am
With him they’re in danger of losing the seat.
Saw this one coming from miles away.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:19 am
Cullerton had to choose between two difficult paths, not an easy decision. I think this is best for the Democratic party and the Senate Dems but it couldn’t have been easy to make this decision so I respect Sen. Cullerton for doing so.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:33 am
Great move by Cullerton, keeps up political name and senate seat.

Raja handled these early months like a pro. Huge fundraising advantage and the most qualified.

Hats off the Cullerton Camp for these past few weeks.

Comment by David Luna Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:43 am
Probably a good move for the Dems; Raja has as good a shot as anyone to take the 8th, and Cullerton has a better chance of holding his State Senate seat than a newbie would.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 10:52 am
Train111, Team Sleep: Please pardon my ignorance. Whom do you think will be running on the GOP side for the Duckworth seat?

Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 11:02 am
Walker - I have no clue. I would love for Doug Truax to run; he impressed me a great deal when he ran for U.S. Senate. I hate to say it, but I can see Joe Walsh and Larry Kaifesh fighting it out.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 11:09 am
===Great move by Cullerton, keeps up political name and senate seat.===

Oh. And here I thought someone else was taking care of this item.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 11:54 am
===That money gap was probably a big reason that Cullerton woke up to reality. Also, without him, the Senate Democrats were in real danger of losing that seat.===

Ball game.

Good on Cullerton to realize his own limitations instead of going through a race, possibly losing abd blaming everyone for something we are all seeing in July and earlier.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 12:10 pm
OW, your analysis is valid here. Tom knocked hard and more than once on the DCCC door. It didn’t open.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 12:22 pm
===… “…and I wish him the best of luck in his re-election campaign. I look forward to working with him as the congressman for this district for years to come.”===

Welp, that was useless.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 12:30 pm
Oswego Willy, perhaps he meant “and the congressman” rather than “as the congressman”?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 12:37 pm
- Robert the Bruce -,

If you’re looking for people who can vouch for ridiculous typos and changing what they meant…

(Bows head in shame, raises right hand slowly, just above head)

… however, I’m commenting on a blog, not issuing a statement as an elected official on my thoughts of a colleague.

But… point taken. lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 12:41 pm
Wouldn’t Joe Walsh have to give up that highly lucrative radio gig if he ran?

I hear station management just invested in a major upgrade, with a Value Pack of AAs.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 12:44 pm
Ramey is also the stepson of ‘Pate’ Philip. His DUI a couple of years back spelled doom for him in the primary against Pankau.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 12:46 pm
====I know that there are many great things ahead for Tom, and I wish him the best of luck in his re-election campaign. I look forward to working with him as the congressman for this district for years to come.”====

This is Noland referring to himself as the Congressman, right?

Well there’s a modest start. Might be just smug enough for Tom to jump back in and make sure Noland finishes 3rd regardless of who wins. /lol

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 1:06 pm
===This is Noland referring to himself as the Congressman, right?===

lol. Yep. Useless.

I was “rooting” for the typo, glossing over…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 1:11 pm
==This is Noland referring to himself as the Congressman, right?==
Yeah, that’s how I interpreted it. Hence my earlier snark.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 1:22 pm
I look forward to working with him as the congressman for this district for years to come.

“P.S. Can I borrow your donor list? Mine doesn’t seem to be working.”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 1:34 pm
With Cullerton out, the GOP needs to field a decent candidate for the 8th. Raja has money, but is an unproven candidate who’s lost two primaries. I think Steve Rauschenberger or Tim Schneider can win this district against Raja.

Comment by Southwest Cook Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 3:10 pm
==Tom knocked hard and more than once on the DCCC door. It didn’t open.==

Why would DCCC open for Cullerton?

Comment by Erika J Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 3:54 pm
==With Cullerton out, the GOP needs to field a decent candidate for the 8th. Raja has money, but is an unproven candidate who’s lost two primaries. I think Steve Rauschenberger or Tim Schneider can win this district against Raja.==

NRCC doesn’t have the money for Illinois and priority is Kirk. Southwest Cook, keep hoping for the best for some GOP candidate to be competitive after the 1st presidential debate.

Comment by JohnsonJohnson Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 4:03 pm
===Why would DCCC open for Cullerton?===

Um, they didn’t.
In the larger picture; to hold onto a seat they want to keep. It’s not as safe as a lot of Dem seats.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 4:09 pm
And they might wish they did if Raja-Noland turns into a sour race.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 4:10 pm
“I think Steve Rauschenberger or Tim Schneider can win this district against Raja.”

Isn’t Rauschenberger trying to draft Alan Keyes into this race?

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 4:24 pm
A guy- What is your source for the statement about the DCCC?

Comment by burbanite Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 4:50 pm
==- A guy - Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 4:09 pm:==

It’s pretty safe at D+8.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 5:37 pm
I’m proud to have Cullerton as my state senator. He voted “no” on the phoney-baloney pension “reform” bill which was later thrown out by the Supremes. Wish I could say the same for Deb Conroy. She’s not much of a Democrat.

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 6:00 pm
Noland. Ugh. They just don’t get any weirder than him.

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Jul 30, 15 @ 9:05 pm