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* Illinois Review…
State Senator Jason Plummer told Illinois Review Friday that he’s “taking a hard look” at running for the 15th CD seat that Congressman John Shimkus (IL-15) said last week he won’t be running for again in 2020.
“I’ve been out of town on business for the last several days, and Congressman Shimkus’ announcement was a surprise,” Plummer said via phone. “But I’ve been getting lots of encouragement from Republicans in the district to run for the seat. I’m taking a hard look at it.” […]
Being the member of a GOP Senate caucus that is in the super-minority and appears likely to remain so in the near future, the decision to try for the US Congress where Republicans currently hold the majority would be tempting for any Illinois Republican.
“I’m really thinking about what I could do that would help the state of Illinois the most,” Plummer said.
Um, Republicans currently aren’t in the majority in the US House, but it’s still probably a bit better than being in the super-minority in the Illinois Senate.
He’s not up for reelection next year, so he’d have a free shot at the seat. And these seats are only rarely this available. Yes, reapportionment could mean he’d wind up in a 2022 primary race with either Mike Bost or (if he wins reelection) Rodney Davis (assuming, that is, he defeats Erika Harold next year if she decides to run), but one election at a time. For all he knows, he could get mapped out of his current Senate district, although that job allows him to continue earning outside income from his family businesses and likely gives him the best shot at staying in elective office the longest.
Plummer has come a very long way from his stumbles on the 2010 statewide campaign trail (he simply wasn’t ready for prime time) and his 2012 loss to Bill Enyart (perhaps the last cycle for a long time that a Democrat could win what is now the Bost district). But it’s not a slam-dunk decision either way.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:07 am
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“to try for the US Congress where Republicans currently hold the majority” Last time I looked Nancy Pelosi was speaker of the House,
Comment by very old soil Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:11 am
==the decision to try for the US Congress where Republicans currently hold the majority==
That should come as a surprise to Speaker Pelosi.
Comment by don the legend Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:12 am
Does Illinois review really not know that the GOP is the minority party in the US house?
Plummer should cool his jets, he’s a young guy with a young family. It will say so much about his character if he decides it is necessary for him to run in what will surely be a crowded field.
Comment by Iggy Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:13 am
Someone wanna tell Illinois Review to review the 2018 election results?
Comment by efudd Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:15 am
===US Congress where Republicans currently hold the majority would be tempting for any Illinois Republican.===
#FakeNews
This…
===Yes, reapportionment could mean he’d wind up in a 2022 primary race with either Mike Bost or (if he wins reelection) Rodney Davis (assuming, that is, he defeats Erika Harold next year if she decides to run)===
The seat that *will* be lost will be a GOP seat, and that seat *will* be outside Cook, the Collars, and Dems will strengthen the seat of Bustos….
Tough to see how the GOP seats outside those areas aren’t the ones made “one less”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:16 am
I guess Illinois Review is still in denial after the 2018 losses…
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:20 am
He’s running. He was being groomed for it. He ran for senate because he wanted to make a political name for himself. He has the money, and now, the name recognition to win. He’ll be a puppet for big business, but he’ll also be the next Congressman from Shimkus’ district.
Comment by Hottot Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:20 am
===I’ve been out of town on business for the last several days===
That should have elicited a follow-up question or two. I’d like to know more about his business dealings given that he’s a state senator and now a potential candidate for Congress.
His bio lists RP Lumber and says he is, “active in other businesses spanning multiple industries, including real estate, hospitality, technology, and agriculture.”
If he decides to run, he better be prepared to put some specifics to those broad outlines. I hope he factors that in as he considers this race.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:31 am
Agree with Hottot that Plummer is running. But that same Illinois Review article had Harold’s finger prints all over it, comparing her very favorably to Plummer. Likely she is working feverishly behind the scenes to see if she can lineup enough support to run.
Comment by DarkHorse Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:34 am
The events that have conspired to make Jason Plummer a potential US congressman astound me.
Comment by lakeside Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 10:44 am
===If he [Plummer] decides to run, he better be prepared to put some specifics to those broad outlines. I hope he factors that in as he considers this race.===
The federal Ethics in Government Act requires Financial Disclosure statements to be filed by congressional candidates within 30 days after raising or spending $5,000. These reports require candidates to declare both earned income from the previous year, the current year-to-date, and all unearned income. Should Plummer run, he will have to file this disclosure, and this report is publicly accessible online for congressional candidates and should answer many of the points you bring up.
Comment by John Lopez Monday, Sep 9, 19 @ 3:12 pm