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State Sen. Oberweis giving “serious thought” to challenging US Rep. Underwood

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Illinois

* The Tribune has a profile up about new Democratic US Rep. Lauren Underwood. Excerpt…

Republicans are lining up to challenge Underwood. Matt Quigley, a 32-year-old Navy veteran and Republican from Naperville, already has announced his intention to run in 2020.

State Sen. Jim Oberweis, a Sugar Grove Republican who has run for Congress, Senate and governor before, also is considering a bid. He said, “We’re giving it serious thought, yes.”

“I don’t believe that Underwood represents the views of the majority of the people in the 14th Congressional District,” said the dairy magnate, who said he would make a decision in 30 to 60 days. “I believe I would be much closer to those views.”

Underwood beat a sitting Republican congressman by 5 points last November. She’s no slouch. And Oberweis will be a 74-year-old “career politician” (or, at least, “career candidate”) by 2020 with a whole lot of votes under his belt.

Even so, Gov. Bruce Rauner won the 14th CD by almost 8 points. The only statewide Democrats who won it were Jesse White (+23) and Susana Mendoza (+2).

Other possibles include state Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee), which could be why he’s been holding so many press conferences lately. Plenty of rumors about a few others.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:05 pm

Comments

Sen. Oberweis,

Be glad you became a senator.

It’s getting embarrassing, the perennial candidate schtick.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:08 pm
I didn’t realize the Congresswoman would be getting another Christmas present.

Best news ever for DCCC.

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:09 pm
I’ve yet to give “serious thought” to anything Senator Oberweis has done.

I’m beginning to suspect he feels the same way.

Comment by thunderspirit Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:14 pm
Jim, Jim, Jim, how can we miss you if you won’t go away?

Comment by Northsider Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:15 pm
The only thing that made me shudder harder than the thought of “Congressman Oberweis” was “Congressman Skillicorn.”

Strange times.

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:17 pm
OW

Destiny is calling

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:18 pm
Yes, because 2020 is shaping up to be a great year for a candidate like Jim Oberweis in Illinois. Go for it. Please.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:18 pm
This woman - the youngest black woman to ever serve in the House - has been in office for *eight* days. And we’re already on this.

Comment by lakeside Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:19 pm
She should only be so lucky.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:20 pm
Out of the serious contenders, Underwood could not handpick a better opponent to ensure her reelection than ol’Jim “Who Am I and Why Am I Here” Oberweis.

Comment by JB13 Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:20 pm
- OneMan -

Get in contact with - Norseman -

Keep this between us, please.

I don’t want to announce I’m running for Congress too soon. Discretion.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:20 pm
==I don’t believe that Underwood represents the views of the majority of the people in the 14th Congressional District==

She won by 5 points and yet she doesn’t represent the majority of views.

What you mean is she doesn’t represent your views.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:31 pm
Oberweis has told folks he’s definitely in, and will be making an initial $1 million investment in himself.

Comment by SaulGoodman Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:32 pm
I always enjoy watching Oberweis lose. As the son of an immigrant I will never forget the commercial over Soldier Field. What Native American tribe did the Oberweis clan descend from ?

Comment by Trapped in the ‘burbs Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:40 pm
= “I believe I would be much closer to those views.” =

Oberweis 2020: Because Randy Hultgren was a RINO!

This needs a moderate female.

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:40 pm
I was wondering if she could keep the seat. I’m feeling better about it now,

Comment by Keyrock Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:41 pm
It takes a special person to look at what happened in the suburbs in ‘18 and think “With Trump on the ballot in ‘20, I can win this!”

Comment by ItsMillerTime Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:43 pm
He’s my senator and has been a bitter disappointment. I’d love to see him spend his way out of a job.

Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:45 pm
Another step in his inevitable rise to the office he feels he should have started with.

Comment by Jibba Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 3:57 pm
To finish the bit…

I may not be too bright, I grant you that, but I know running against Congresswoman Underwood… yeah, that’s a no go. Oberweis should know that too, but…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:10 pm
Any District Rauner could win by 8, that’s got to be a top GOP target nationally. But the idea of Oberweis, he’s the exact opposite of the candidate who could knock off Underwood. Even Ives would be better!

Comment by DarkHorse Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:14 pm
- lakeside -

Matt Quigley announced his run against Underwood on Jan 4th, the very next day after she was sworn in.

He also made the announcement at the Will County courthouse - a location that isn’t even within the 14th district.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:18 pm
Question for Oswego: does Jason Plummer live in the 14th CD? Maybe an Oberweis - Plummer primary.

Comment by DarkHorse Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:21 pm
As a Republican, Oberweis? Really? God help us all
Please forget term limits enact age limits or at least limits in running for office. How about 3 strikes your out for starters

Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:21 pm
Exactly. Not a lot of stories about people coming for Casten, how he’s not a good fit for his district. He only outdid Underwood by a point, in a much easier to win district.

Comment by lakeside Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:23 pm
You don’t need to live in the district you are running in for Congress.

In only theory, “possible”… but even the newly minted Senator Plummer knows (I think) Underwood will be a tough “out” in 2020… with POTUS running too

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:25 pm
In keeping with the Peter Principle, I don’t see why he doesn’t challenge Trump for the presidential nomination.

Comment by Jocko Friday, Jan 11, 19 @ 4:34 pm