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Shimkus loses out on plum post

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Illinois

Republicans have elected Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) the next chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Walden defeated Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), the former committee chairman, in the race for the gavel. Current chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is stepping down from the position due to term limits. […]

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who aggressively campaigned around the country with Walden this year, spoke in favor of the Oregon lawmaker during Thursday’s Steering meeting, according to sources in the closed-door gathering. […]

During his push for the chairmanship, Shimkus emphasized his experience on all six of the committee’s subpanels. He outranks Walden on the committee and, in a letter to members last month, noted his work passing a major chemical safety overhaul bill this year. […]

But Republicans watching the contest said Walden’s work at the National Republican Congressional Committee — where he helped secure the GOP’s largest majority since the Great Depression, raised millions of dollars for candidates and limited Republican losses in last month’s elections — helped him nail down the chairmanship.

That’s a huge loss for Illinois’ congressional influence.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:30 pm

Comments

Will he honor his breached term limit promise now?

Comment by d.p.gumby Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:34 pm
Not that big of a surprise, Shimkus just doesn’t have much respect or clout in Washington.

Comment by Ahoy! Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:38 pm
Committee chairmen aren’t as powerful as they used to be as in Rosty’s day, but even the crumbs off the table are big with that one.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:40 pm
You’d think with his time in DC and his lack of real competition back home, he would have garnered some political clout by now…jeez…

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:50 pm
Guess Shimkus should have spent more time using his phone to dial for dollars than tweet out Bible verses if he wanted clout with and support from his colleagues for this job.

But this means a “RINO” Main Street Republican guy got the post instead of Shimkus? Guessing the country is better off.

Now we just get to wait for the 2022 map and see if Shimkus can be three times victorious at IL Rep. musical chairs.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:53 pm
John Shimkus? Didn’t he used to be in Congress?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:54 pm
There is no shame in losing to Greg Walden. He built up a ton of chits with that thankless NRCC leadership post. Shimkus will be fine.

Comment by Indochine Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 1:59 pm
John Shimkus will be fine. Just don’t put him in charge of the Congressional pages again.

Comment by Michael Westen Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Not surprised. What has John Shimkus ever really done other than complain about lack of opportunity in Southern Illinois and then does nothing about it?

Comment by GOPgal Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 2:29 pm
You help people win…they help you win.

Comment by A guy Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 2:31 pm
I am not about lament about my Congressman losing this Chairmanship.

Yet, given his seniority in Congress and being the longest serving Republican from Illinois he will be exerting significant influence in many areas - especially when it comes to filling vacancies that will occur in the US Attorneys offices, openings in the Federal Judiciary and other Federal agencies impacting Illinois.

Comment by illini Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 2:40 pm
===GOP’s largest majority since the Great Depression===

I think I’d use a different talking point.

Comment by Old Shepherd Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 2:59 pm
We don’t want nobody that nobody contributed their and their friends’ money.

Comment by CLJ Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 3:07 pm
Illinois leads the nation in second-most-important people on various levels…

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:00 pm
what a shimkus!

Comment by Amalia Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:08 pm
John Shimkus, breaking promises and getting nothing done! The model GOP congressman!

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Dec 2, 16 @ 4:32 pm