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Rep. Ed Sullivan won’t run again

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Illinois

* I told subscribers about this development early yesterday morning, so they already have my take. From a press release…

To the people of the 51st District:

As each election season approaches, every elected official must take time to reflect and self-examine before seeking another term. After many moments of reflection and discussions with my family, I have decided that, after seven terms as your representative from the 51st District, I will not seek reelection in 2016. The time has come for me to return to private life at the end of my current term and move on to different adventures.

Over the past thirteen years, it has been an honor to represent you through the many significant moments in our State’s history. Many decisions have not been easy, particularly with mounting fiscal problems and entrenched corruption. I am stepping away with pride, having fought to represent your interests throughout all of it.

I believe it is important to put new voices in Springfield. I agree with Governor Rauner that term limits are a necessary reform towards making Illinois great again in order to ensure that our government remains what Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it should be: of the people, by the people, and for the people. With that, rather than win reelection and then allow my successor to be appointed, I believe that it is better for the will of the people to be heard in an open election.

I plan to spend my time after leaving office with the people who have sustained me throughout my time as state representative: my family. My family is the center of my life, and has been the inspiration for my career in public service. My great-grandfather served as a state representative from McHenry, my father has been an active member of the Mundelein community on both the Mundelein High School Board and the Village Board, and my mother has served for years as a librarian at the Fremont Public Library. My wife, children, parents, and grandparents, as well as my sisters and their families, have been my top supporters through it all.

When I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes two years ago, I realized that I needed to make changes in my life so that I can be there for my wife and young children, Trish, Kaileigh, and Finn, as they have been here for me. I look forward to serving many more terms as a husband and father.

It has been the honor of my life to serve as your representative in Springfield. I look forward to spending the remainder of my term working with Governor Rauner to make Illinois a better place, and continuing to be your friend and neighbor in the years to come.

Sincerely,
Ed Sullivan

* Sullivan already had a primary opponent, and after Sullivan’s announcement yesterday ultra-conservative Dan McConchie issued a rather unclassy statement…

“The incumbent has had both fists in the taxpayer’s pocket for too long,” McConchie said. “What has Ed Sullivan put his mark on other than enriching himself at taxpayer’s expense? He takes two government salaries simultaneously, and is in two different pension funds. Residents call him the most unresponsive public official they know. It’s time for a consistent conservative to truly represent the 51st district, a representative who lives out the conservative principles they claim to hold.

“I will be a strong advocate in helping Governor Rauner bring back Illinois by reigning in spending, growing the State’s economy and putting the politicians on notice that the old way of doing business is over,” continued McConchie.

McConchie noted that Springfield power brokers fear he will upset the apple cart and challenge the status quo.

“I was visited by a member of House leadership who told me, ‘Wait your turn.’ I don’t think it’s up to the Springfield elite to make the decision for the voters of the 51st district. Bruce Rauner ran to be Governor not because he was a career politician, but because he cared about the people of Illinois. Like Rauner, I will be a representative who puts their interests first.”

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that McConchie is backed by former US Rep. Joe Walsh.

* Gov. Rauner, however, is backing someone else…

Lake Barrington resident Nick Sauer, who describes himself as a conservative Republican, said Monday that he will run to succeed Sullivan. He’s a member of the Lake County Board and a Lake County Forest Preserve commissioner. And Gov. Bruce Rauner recently appointed Sauer as a director of the Illinois Tollway Board.

“So the governor is in my corner, and I’m excited about his ideas for reform [that] he has advocated,” Sauer said.

Sullivan, you will recall, was one of just a handful of Republicans to vote for the gay marriage bill.

He’s gonna be missed around here.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:48 am

Comments

One of my favorites.

Rep. Sullivan is going to be sorely missed by many, incl. me who watch his workings in the ILGA & saw his pragmatism. The GA needs more like him.

As Rich noted, with Leader Cross already gone, Rep. Sullivan leaving, that leaves Ron Sandack left in the HGOP that was Green for SSM.

To the Post,

The primary in the 51st as an “open seat primary” will be a test of sorts to the lengths Rauner will want control of members. Will it be “enough” to be chosen by the HGOP and Rauner or will allegiance be enough after you win, if Sauer loses? Could be an interesting “watch” in that Primary if Sauer is unsuccessful.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:54 am
The Rauner administration hires him, right? It makes too much sense not to and I can’t imagine a better hire.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:55 am
Sounds like McConchie sold himself to the governor for free.

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:55 am
==- Tournaround Agenda - Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 11:55 am:==

When he could have gotten at least several thousand!

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:01 pm
The Sullivan Caucus is the best one around. Ed and John are outstanding Legislators and so was Dave. If we had more Legislators like them, Illinois government would be in much better shape! Good luck, Ed!!

Comment by Good Luck! Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:02 pm
Good for you Ed. Go home and get as healthy as you can. Dan McConchie has made a horrible first impression with that tactless approach. He’s made a case for not supporting him.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:04 pm
Oh so many words that wouldn’t make it passed the filter. One of the good guys to say the least.

Comment by Dirty Red Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:13 pm
=McConchie noted that Springfield power brokers fear he will upset the apple cart and challenge the status quo.=

Actually, Springfield will fear he’ll bloviate and pontificate like his mentor, nutty Joe Walsh. That disruptive, negative bombast is not what the statehouse needs right now.

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:14 pm
Seems to me Mr Sullivan just became the one thing Rauner fears a Republican he can’t control.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:27 pm
So the choice is between a conservative and an ultra conservative. No more moderates.

Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 12:47 pm
I’m curious as to whether Mr. Sauer would have to give up his post on the Tollway Board if he were to win Rep. Sullivan’s current seat.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Sauer was all ready to go with the governor in his corner in a hurry.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:06 pm
Team Sleep,
There’s no way Sauer could hold onto the Tollway board seat if he’s elected to the General Assembly.

Comment by phocion Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Phocion - that’s what I was thinking.

Word - your observation is probably 100% correct. After talking to Senator LaHood about his run for Congress, he noted that same line of action.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:23 pm
==putting the politicians on notice that the old way of doing business is over==

Yeah. Good luck with that. I think some of these guys actually believe this when they say it. Those kind of comments are reason enough not to vote for the guy. He’s clueless.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:23 pm
What dies Ed have to his credit? A lot. Ed has been a big hand behind the scenes on a lot of issues. He has made principaled stands and taken important votes. He had a big hand inthe cary law, representing his side of the asile.

Loosing him and Frank Mautino is like a double blow of the guys that can get past the politics to get somehting done.

Another friend that I will miss in this business. But after talking to him yesterday, I ish him all the best.

The GA will be a different place come January of ‘17 and I don;t know if for the better.

Comment by Todd Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:46 pm
Ed will be missed. He’s the kind of fiscal conservative who could do very well statewide.

At risk of annoying a lot of my friends, I would walk a precinct (or 10 as it may be) for the guy.

The real shame is he’s likely to be replaced by either a loud mouth who can’t get anything done (i.e. a version of Walsh) or somebody who will spend the next two years taking orders from the Gov.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:48 pm
This is good news…we need to get rid of all these RINO’s who believe in compromise, human decency and common sense. I am tired of it. If it’s not hyper-partisan then it’s not worth doing. God, country, no taxes…that’s all that counts!

Oh wait…wrong blog…sorry!

Congrats Eddie! Great guy who will be missed!

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:53 pm
Ed could take highly conservative stances with fulsome humanity and common sense. Always had a hand out to help across the aisle, and searched for common ground. The best kind of representative, if you believe that government can work for the people. Everyone in Springfield should miss him.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Great, just what Illinois needs, another Joe Walsh.

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:40 pm
You will be missed Rep Sullivan.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:15 pm
Ed’s a great guy but no surprise. He’s been talking about lobbying for two years. Welcome to the dark side!!!

Comment by 4 percent Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:46 pm