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Gill to run as independent

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Illinois

* If he manages to get on the ballot and can raise a little cash, the Democrats’ chances will drop precipitously in the 13th…

David Gill, who has sought to represent Central Illinois in the nation’s capitol four previous times beginning a decade ago, announced Tuesday he will be making an independent bid in 2016 for the 13th Congressional District post. […]

If he collects enough signatures to qualify for the November 2016 ballot — he’ll need an estimated 15,000 registered voters — Gill is likely to face off against incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a second-term Republican from Taylorville. […]

Gill last ran for the seat in 2012 and lost by 1,002 votes to Davis.

He stepped aside in 2014 when the Democratic Party coalesced behind former Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis.

It’s not that Davis was expected to lose, but having Gill on the ballot will make it that much tougher to recruit and push a quality Democratic candidate there. He’s a gift for Davis.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:27 pm

Comments

I’d send Congressman Davis cannoli, but who are we kidding, how can this day get any better?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:29 pm
How can this fellow possibly obtain 15,000 valid signatures, which is what’s required - I believe - to make the ballot? He’d need to gather probably twice that to sustain challanges.

Comment by Middle Of The Road Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:30 pm
Rodney will beat this guy like a rented mule.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:31 pm
The Dems would be wasting their time on the ‘fools gold’ that this district represents anyways. They’ve got lots bigger fish to fry in trying to recapture the 10th and the 12th. Let Gill run-and lose and don’t waste your time or money.

train111

Comment by train111 Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:34 pm
The day Gill qualifies for the ballot is the day Rodney Davis wins his third term.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:39 pm
What the headline says: “Gill to run as independent”

What the headline means: “Gill to lose as independent”

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:48 pm
Sorry, Andy. Keep fishin’.

Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:49 pm
Gill did better against Davis, than Callis did, and did better against him with less money. Gill wants another chance and is signaling a run that would make this district unattractive to another expensive Democratic Party run.

So - he begins the Democratic primary as an independent in a district where being a Democrat seems to be a handicap. If the Democratic Party fails to find a more attractive alternative to Gill, then they can endorse Gill instead.

This would make Gill the Independent-Democratic nominee, which might be an edge in 2016 against Davis in the presidential election year.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:02 pm
===Gill did better against Davis, than Callis did, and did better against him with less money===

2 things.

1) Gill ran in a presidential year, in a district full of college students, who don’t usually vote in off years (explains some of Callis’ loss).

2) If a solid Democratic candidate had run in 2012, that person would’ve probably won.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:04 pm
middle of the road,

how will he make the ballot? Easily there plenty of eager republicans that will be more than happy to circulate for good ol Dr. Gill.

alson, Andy Manar is the biggest loser in all of this, oh well. better luck next time

Comment by Goldwater Republican Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:05 pm
Andy is not the names Democrats are floating. I think Andy has eyes on a more local “house” in 3 years.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:20 pm
==in a district where being a Democrat seems to be a handicap.==

That’s it even close to being true

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:28 pm
== and did better against him with less money ==

That’s not true at all - Democrats spent a lot more on Gill’s behalf than they did for Callis.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:18 pm
13 was always a bridge too far for Democrats. Even if a Dem had won it 2012 they would have been OBLITERATED in 2014.

Comment by Tie Your Shoes Kyle Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:19 pm
Me thinks Manar would have signaled a run against Rodney “Rowdy” Davis long before David “I wanna run, run, run again” Gill threw his name in had he been interested.

Comment by Under Influenced Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:27 pm
dude, why?

you gave it a shot and all but just stop and work for other candidates if you want to stay involved or have issues you care about. I would guess bernie sanders has a better chance of being the dem presidential nominee than david gill has of winning this seat and bernie as president would have a better shot at enacting single payer for all as president than a newly elected congressman gill.

is this just spite for no one stopping that independent metro east democrat from running against gill in ‘12?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:45 pm