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* The Daily Herald had this earlier, but the Journal & Topics tracked it down a bit more…
The Journal learned two area U.S. Representatives, Peter Roskam (R-6th) and Judy Biggert (R-13th), would back Republican candidate DuPage County Regional School Supt. Darlene Ruscitti in her run for the 8th Dist. seat.
Walsh announced he would run in the newly drawn 14th Dist. several months ago, after which Ruscitti, area businessman Andrew Palomo and Republican activist Richard Evans entered the Republican primary race in the 8th. Last week, Walsh announced he would run in the 8th.
A senior Roskam aide said the congressman is supporting Ruscitti. Biggert spokeswoman Kathy Lydon said Biggert gave her support to Ruscitti in September, donated money to Ruscitti’s campaign and is not one to go back on her word even with Walsh in the race. […]
Lydon said, “If the map stands (Biggert) supports her.”
* And Bernie followed up on one of my subscriber stories from last week…
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s support for one candidate apparently altered the landscape of the race for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House in the new 17th Congressional District.
One of the prospective candidates was state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, but he decided just days before the end of the legislative filing period to run again for state Senate instead. As the Capitol Fax newsletter has reported, one factor in Koehler’s change of heart was a call from Durbin.
Durbin, a Springfield resident, is close to Gene Callahan, the father of one of the other candidates in the new 17th — Cheri Callahan Bustos. She is a former member of the East Moline City Council and also has support from Emily’s List, a nationwide organization that promotes pro-choice Democratic women.
“I knew that there was a relationship with Senator Durbin and the Callahan family,” Koehler told me this week. “I was hoping that the senator would be willing to stay neutral in the race.” But Koehler said Durbin called to say he was going to be supporting Bustos.
“I had to assess very quickly what that meant for my chances,” Koehler said.
Koehler has been in the state Senate for five years and thinks that would have helped him in the congressional primary in the Peoria area. However, he said Durbin’s expected endorsement of someone else would have been a factor elsewhere in the new 17th, “where I didn’t have any name recognition.”
This goes beyond Durbin’s close ties to Gene Callahan. Bustos just doesn’t have the same voting record as Koehler, who voted for the tax hike, borrowing, repeal of the death penalty and sponsored the civil unions bill. None of those bills are especially popular in that congressional district (although some less so than others), so the Republicans could have a field day with Koehler in the general election.
* Related…
* Harriman officially announces his bid for Congress
* Collins keeps Harrington despite vulgar voice mails
* City ward remap takes turn toward the bizarre: But this particular remap shows signs of becoming particularly ugly, with open clashes among white, African-American and Latino aldermen; rumored plans to cheat lakefront neighborhoods of their proper representation, and more threats of lawsuits than there are snowflakes in a December Chicago sky.
* Latinos and some others say they’ll file own ward remap plan: According to Mr. Fioretti, the proposed map — to be filed first thing on Thursday — will include 17 predominantly African-American wards plus one “influence” ward where a black would have a good chance of winning. It also would create 13 Hispanic-majority wards plus two Hispanic-influence wards.
* Aldermen closer to finalized ward remap
* Aldermen Say They’re Close, But Still Don’t Have New Ward Map
* Latino aldermen press for ward remap deal
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 9:51 am
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It’s a shame. Koehler is a good man.
Comment by Dirty Red Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 9:57 am
Walsh has made a living whacking other Republicans. Payback time.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 9:58 am
“* City ward remap takes turn toward the bizarre: But this particular remap shows signs of becoming particularly ugly, with open clashes among white, African-American and Latino aldermen; rumored plans to cheat lakefront neighborhoods of their proper representation, and more threats of lawsuits than there are snowflakes in a December Chicago sky.”
Are there any regulatory limits on remapping wards along racial lines? It seems strange to me that after the census found changes in demographics that the ward maps would be adjusted to maintain power in existing aldermen. I understand why the aldermen themselves might want that, but am puzzled how it could be legal representation for the citizen population.
Then again, I would support cutting the city into ten to fifteen wards cut cleanly across the map ignoring race entirely, so…
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 10:18 am
That’s one impressive duster Brad Harriman is sporting in that picture. There should be an award for a mustache that eager.
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 10:40 am
You know, I’ve never thought about it, but my electeds are Bomke and Brauer, both of whom sport an impressive soup strainer. Is facial hair on its way back in? Will it soon be acceptable for me to rock a Lincoln-style chin beard again like I did when I was 17 and didn’t understand words like “propriety” and “don’t look like a fool”?
Comment by Colossus Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 10:53 am
And more to the point of the article: It is a shame about Koehler. Callahan doesn’t have the best track record when pushing family members for Congressional bids, maybe it’s time we got some new blood in the Peoria area. If nothing else, let’s have someone who won’t be mealymouthed about supporting “liberal” issues instead of the DCCC/Dem insider crowd we seem to be fielding for 2012. Before too long, the Illinois Dem delegation is going to look like the Illinois GOP delegation circa 1980.
Comment by Colossus Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 10:56 am
“has made a living whacking other republicans” walsh has been in the news hitting republicans for 6 months. I don’t recall him spending the last 15 years trashing republicans or getting paid to do it.
It’s nice for people to write a story that biggert is backing the challenger to walsh, but it would be more helpful to news consumers to explain WHY both she and roskam are breaking the usual protocol where members support incumbents and not supporting walsh.
Comment by Shore Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 11:03 am
Shore,
Do you think anyone would say something other than, “We feel Darlene is the best qualified candidate to represent the people of the 8th District.”?
Neither Roskam or Biggert will slam Walsh, they’re too smart for that.
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 11:42 am
Will Durbin go after the other people running for the 17th? There is a rumor going around. Who does Durbin think he is? The Godfather?
Comment by Lil' Enchilada Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 11:49 am
Enchilita:
It’s a shame the Party Chair position is empty, it would be good to have someone in there who could help guide the overall Dem nomination process to avoid these infights. Y’know, someone who cared about all the Democrats and not just the ones that keep him on the gravy train.
Wait, what was that? There is a chairman? Funny, since I don’t deal with the House I’ve never heard of him.
Comment by Colossus Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 12:15 pm
I have a feeling most of Illinois’ Republicans will be quietly ignoring Walsh.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 12:22 pm
–Neither Roskam or Biggert will slam Walsh, they’re too smart for that. –
Why is that smart? It’s a zero-sum game, you play to win. If they want the other candidate to win, they’ll do whatever they can to help.
It’s not like there’s some “code” among Republicans not to criticize one another. Walsh sure does it, and Romney has no shortage of GOP officeholder supporters whacking Gingrich every chance they get.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 12:54 pm
““has made a living whacking other republicans” walsh has been in the news hitting republicans for 6 months. I don’t recall him spending the last 15 years trashing republicans or getting paid to do it.”
It’s a phrase, Shore. He’s made a living, while campaigning and in office, of whacking other Republicans for not being as pure of heart and vital bodily fluids as he is.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 1:11 pm
**I don’t recall him spending the last 15 years trashing republicans or getting paid to do it.**
True… but from what we can tell, he didn’t make a living at all for the first 14 of those 15 years. Now the last year, on the other hand…
Comment by dave Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:54 pm
dave-well said.
Comment by shore Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:00 pm
”
True… but from what we can tell, he didn’t make a living at all for the first 14 of those 15 years. Now the last year, on the other hand…”
Not according to his ex-wife…
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:46 pm
This will hurt Walsh. No one can argue that Peter Roskam is anything but a smart, responsible, Conservative, Republican. He has clout in the new 8th District. (even if those terms might seem contradictory in the current GOP)
Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 5:14 pm