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Rodney Davis says he’s done with running for office

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* US Rep. Rodney Davis on the Scott Miller Show…

Q: Will politics be a part of your future?

A: No, no. I’ve always said when I’m done, I’m done. I do not plan to run for anything again. I only wanted to be a member of Congress and I’ve had the opportunity to represent a phenomenal district with phenomenal constituents for 10 years. I’m not looking at running for anything again. And I am going to help elect Republicans up and down the ticket because that’s what we should do when we’re no longer a part of the competition.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 2:40 pm

Comments

Easy to believe, but I’ve learned not to trust anything that Rodney Davis says…

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 2:44 pm
===Republicans up and down the ticket===

Bailey and DeVore should be slam dunks in his neck of the woods.

How does Davis feel about the insurrection and the January 6th hearings… He’s supporting Republicans up and down the ticket, some might even be conspiracy theorists.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 2:48 pm
Well if he no longer has any political aspirations, then he should be free to speak his mind (honestly) on the Trump cult, no?

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 2:51 pm
Makes sense to me. Davis can have a huge payday on K Street.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 2:52 pm
In 2012, this would be a shame. In 2022, good riddance.

Comment by So_Ill Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 2:54 pm
JB should offer him the DCFS Director position. Really make him suffer.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 2:56 pm
I’ve found Rodney to be a genuinely nice person & conscientious legislator. There may have been a time when people thought him too conservative, but those days are gone. My concern is as we lose moderates who can reach across the aisle, we will continue down this unproductive & polarizing path. Thanks for your service Rodney.

Comment by Wilson Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:00 pm
===Davis can have a huge payday on K Street.===

Ding. I bet he has Peter Fitzgerald on speed dial.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:08 pm
Thank you Rodney. Agree with Wilson.He was also very approachable, and listened, whether he agreed with your position or not.

Comment by Grateful Gail Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:09 pm
It appears Wilson & Gail are into the silly sauce
Can we file Rodney’s declaration right behind Shimkus? Then let’s check the OscarMeyer Weiner Mobile and see if it can haul him, littleLIP and Kizzy around to all the GOPie rallies they get invites to attend

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:20 pm
Unfortunate that we’ll have to see him go. Some people get so caught up in the campaign rhetoric and never look at his work and presence as a legislator. Most any analysis shows him as one of the most moderate Rs in the nation over the past few congresses.

Comment by Lakefront Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:22 pm
Honestly, he’ll probably get a commentator job at CNN or one the networks alongside a lobbyist gig.

Comment by Hot Taeks Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:28 pm
Don’t like his positions but he is miles better than having Mary Miller across the aisle. I don’t feel bad for these legislators that kept quiet about Trump, I just feel losing them makes us all worse off.

Comment by ElTacoBandito Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:31 pm
=I’ve found Rodney to be a genuinely nice person & conscientious legislator.=

Not over the past 4 years. Either by choice or feeling the need to survive Davis’ attitude and politics changed sharply.

And Bustos changed too. I easily preferred my early interactions with Rodney over Cheri but as the seasons went on, I lost a little respect for both of them.

10 years as a commuting Congressman has to take a toll on you and your family. So I still offer up a level of understanding of the sacrifice that it takes to do that job.

The payoff? K Street.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:41 pm
My thoughts are a lot of banned words knowing that I will have Mary Miller as my congresswoman now, and even though I didn’t always agree with RD, he was always willing to listen and be level-headed.

Comment by Peanut Gallery Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:41 pm
=== Most any analysis shows him as one of the most moderate Rs in the nation over the past few congresses. ===

Over the past few congresses, being a moderate means, you only lie 90% of the time. Davis was looking to be a major operative in the MAGA party where moderation is no longer tolerated.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:49 pm
Rodney is as disingenuous as they come. He’s not running until he is.

Comment by Manchester Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 3:59 pm
Dear cheswick, budinski and deering face off in the 13th. The 15th district is red, so Congresswoman Miller is re-elected by virtue of winning over Davis in the primary. Easy to get confused with the new districts.

Comment by Al Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:03 pm
I had kind of hoped he’d consider running again for the seat in 2024 if Congresswoman Miller doesn’t grow into her role and clearly condemn violence as a political tactic.

I like to think that most Trump supporters like his bombastic personality and his policies but disdain and reject his mob boss authoritarian choice to lead an attempted coup. I hope that’s right and Congresswoman Miller can grow into her role to help lead and express that sentiment to protect our Republic.

Comment by Dan Johnson Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:06 pm
Wondering if he is gonna start a lobbying gig, leave Taylorville, and buy a mansion near Rauner and Griffin in Florida?

Comment by IlliniVoter Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:06 pm
==Dear cheswick, budinski and deering face off in the 13th.==

Maybe even John Keating too, as a Green candidate.

https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/elections/congressional/2022/01/28/springfield-il-activist-likely-join-congressional-candidates/9229787002/

Comment by Just Sayin Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:09 pm
It’s kind of weird ngl.

Being a local dem, having hoped or even sometimes helped canvassed against Davis election after election and he always survives. And the person who finally beats him is… Mary Miller? I won’t miss him. His reputation for moderation seems more about his vibe than his actual positions. And yet it’s still a bit sad.

Comment by Nick Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:10 pm
==Some people get so caught up in the campaign rhetoric and never look at his work and presence as a legislator.==

Meh. Homeboy voted 17 times to take away my kids’ healthcare. Don’t really care that there’s another guy who voted 18 times.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:13 pm
The worst thing a politician can be at this moment is a kinda Trumper. Davis is the perfect example. You leave yourself in a position where both the staunchly pro- and anti-Trumpers can’t stand you.

And hoping Miller grows into some sort of stateswoman is a tall order. That’s not how the Freedom Caucus rolls.

Comment by Independent Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:15 pm
He can do what Kinzinger is doing, leave DC as a patriot. Rather, he still is ranting about the the Jan 6 committee, blaming Pelosi for the incidents because she “neglected the security posture,” and covering up Barry Loudermilk’s tours. He will not be remembered for anything except for his loss to the “Hitler was right” and “white life” woman.

Comment by IllinoisVoter Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:19 pm
Let’s hope he follows through on this. Too many of our elected officials try to make it a permanent lifestyle. He can go back to whatever line of work he was in and enjoy his family. Be a regular Joe like the rest of us.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:21 pm
Davis will not be remembered for anything except losing to the “Hitler was right” and “victory for white lives” woman. In the end, he’s still acting as a stooge for the man who kicked him to the curb for an inarticulate backbencher. He really has nothing to lose.

Comment by Voter from CU Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:24 pm
===leave DC as a patriot===

What a crock, LOL

Davis refused to impact Trump… twice.

Full Stop.

Davis gets none of that, even if he was quiet going forward.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:26 pm
= I’ve always said when I’m done, I’m done. =

Can confirm. He has.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:32 pm
Quite frankly, this is a big loss for Illinois because he was in line to chair the House Transportation Committee in two years because of term limits on chairs. Illinois is a transportation hub and his leadership would have been incredibly helpful for projects like CREATE, locks and dams, O’Hare airport, and more.

I remember not long ago when Dems and the GOP worked together even in remap to make sure that key officials in key posts remained (Ways & Means, Speaker, etc).

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 4:42 pm
= incredibly helpful for projects like CREATE, locks and dams, O’Hare airport, and more.=

He had his chance to vote for a once in a generation infrastructure bill last year, but he didn’t.

= I remember not long ago when Dems and the GOP worked together even in remap to make sure that key officials in key posts remained (Ways & Means, Speaker, etc).=

Those days are long gone and 20 years is an eternity in politics. Illinois has changed and GOP has as well. Also, Davis’ seat was never meant to elect a Republican, and IL Dem and Durbin have been trying to get him out since Day 1, so they don’t have any incentive to protect him even if he was a billion dollar pork barrel spender for the state.

Comment by IllinoisVoter Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 5:24 pm
I wonder what the over under is on if Rodney is one of Madonia’s guest hosts on 1450 Springfield next year during one of his yearly cruises? I say it’s at least +90.

Comment by Just Sayin Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 5:40 pm
Rodney; The Republican Party of Phil Crane, Henry Hyde, Ed Derwinski, Chuck Percy, etc. the party as it was 20 plus years ago, is gone, and there seems little chance it will return. Who would have thought. You were loyal to Trump and you see what it got you, the ex-president, true to form, endorsed a women who quotes Hitler. The republicans of your new district voted for Miller. That is your Republican Party of today. You were a former staff person who received a lucky break. You went to Congress with no experienced or qualifications. Now you claim to work for a party that has members who endorses Hitler. Oh my!

Comment by The Professor Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 5:43 pm
My recent interactions with Rodney led me to believe that he had been in DC too long.However, the district may have a real loser to tolerate for a couple of years.

Comment by farmer516 Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 6:14 pm
==However, the district may have a real loser to tolerate for a couple of years. ==

Explicate for us Farmer.

Comment by Sharia Capo Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 6:25 pm
I bite my tongue saying this, but Rodney would be Better than Mary Miller. To quote a movie I watched once (or a hundred times…) “I hate Illinois Nazis…”

On the other hand, Rodney should know the difference between right and wrong. He knows what 45 did was wrong and if he had a conscience, he would speak out about it.

Comment by Mandated Reported Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 6:30 pm
===Explicate for us Farmer.===

Huh?

Mary Miller isn’t a winner for Illinois or the country

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 6:34 pm
How will I even know he’s gone?

Comment by filmmaker prof Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 7:25 pm
==the district may have a real loser to tolerate for a couple of years.==

As one of her current constituents, I can honestly say, Farmer516, you are not setting your expectations low enough.

Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 7:31 pm
Bye Felicia

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 8:16 pm
“Good riddance to Bad rubbish.”

While I disagree w/ Darrin (if I lived 4 blocks over, he & Schock would have been my Congressman instead), he’d respond to disagreement. Rodney treated such people as fast food customers with a messed up order. That is, someone to be perfunctorily dispensed with in less than 30 seconds.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Jul 13, 22 @ 9:38 pm
“I think we’re done here”

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Jul 14, 22 @ 7:34 am
==Rodney; The Republican Party of Phil Crane, Henry Hyde, Ed Derwinski, Chuck Percy, etc. the party as it was 20 plus years ago, is gone, and there seems little chance it will return.==

Also that of Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar, which in turn brought us George Ryan, Scott Fawell, Denny Hastert, Bill Cellini, Mike Tristano, and the MSI and Licenses-for-Bribes scandals.

Comment by Just Sayin Thursday, Jul 14, 22 @ 8:24 am
I’m a Democrat, and had the displeasure of having “Where’s Rodney?” as my congress critter.

Not a fan, and he can’t leave fast enough, as far as I’m concerned. He’ll find ways to make lots of money and ruin our country.

And sorry, but when I hear folks praise how “willing he was to listen and assist “, I have to wonder how many zeros were on the check you were handing him. Word on the streets of Champaign was that he only responded to cash…or tv cameras…

Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Jul 14, 22 @ 9:41 am

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