by James Oliphant
The prospect of a general election to select Illinois next senator has added some new potential candidates to the mix, ones who have not been involved in the Blagojevich scandal.
On the Republican side, Rep. Mark Kirk, who represents the 10th district in the north suburbs of Chicago, and is a proven fundraiser with a moderate message, has said he would take a look at running.
As for the Democrats, Rep. Melissa Bean, another strong fund-raiser from the northwest suburbs, is hearing calls to jump in should the Illinois General Assembly pass legislation establishing a special election, which would likely be held next spring. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who also hails from the north side, is interested in running, as well.
A special election will already be necessary to replace outgoing Rep. Rahm Emanuel, once he formally resigns from the House to serve as President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff. It's possible the two elections could be combined.
Such an election provides already-elected House members with major advantages they would not enjoy if Gov. Rod Blagojevich or his successor makes an appointment. For one thing, they wouldn't have to leave their current seats to make a Senate run. Another is that they could use federal campaign money--either their own or from their respective parties--in a Senate contest.
Any legislation calling for a special election likely would require a primary to be held first. But if Kirk gets in, it's possible he would could run unopposed (and benefit from being able to run on a platform condemning corruption in the Democratic Party). On the other hand, Bean or Schakowsky might have to battle some of the current candidates for the post such as Reps. Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson, Jr. for the nomination.
In an interview Wednesday, Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) said he believes any candidate such as Jackson who has been linked to Blagojevich would be hopelessly tainted by the association. LaHood said an election would be a promising opportunity for the state Republicans to elect a candidate to high office for the first time in years.
That's precisely why some, such as Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), believe a special election is a bad idea. Rush would like Obama's seat to go to an African-American, something that would be less likely should an election be held. Obama and Sen. Dick Durbin both have said a special election would be the best course of action.
Any Chicagoland candidates will of course face the formidable task of having to build name recognition downstate. Both Bean and Kirk's supporters believe their candidates' moderate messages would play well statewide. Bean is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist body that could be influential in the new Congress. Schakowsky, too, could enjoy strong support from labor unions and benefit from a more traditional Democratic base. She showed she could mobilize her supporters to help elect Obama.
Regardless of who jumps in, it would be an expensive, colorful, and rapid-fire campaign in an election cycle that may never end. Just ask Norm Coleman and Al Franken.
Comments
Forget Schakowsky-
With her background - "No Way"
Posted by: Inky | December 11, 2008 3:51 PM
There is only one man truly brave enough to kick Congress in the teeth!
Posted by: friendsofDyslinforSenate | December 11, 2008 5:11 PM
SEIU was by far the top overall donor to Mr. Blagojevich’s 2006 re-election campaign, with records showing it donated more than $900,000, or about 5 percent of his total campaign funds. Where did that money come from? State employees. This has got to stop.
Posted by: Follow the Money | December 11, 2008 5:34 PM
How about Christy Hefner--now that she is leaving the position at Playboy?
She is very smart. Lots of exec experience.
Hmmm. Perhaps she should run for Gov. instead. Illinois could use a Gov. with more executive experience than racking up the pool cues in Fast Eddie's parlor.
Then, from Gov., she could easily run for President.
Sarahhhh, eat your heart out!
Christy can't see Russia out her window but I bet she can see 4 states.
I think a lot of Illinois politicians are going to go down with Blago.
Who is out there with some honesty to fun for office?
Posted by: ornery | December 11, 2008 5:49 PM
Blago is under intense pressure to step down and let the lt. gov appoint a democrat. Throwing it open to a general election threatens turning the seat over to the GOP. Blago has his feelings hurt about being thrown under the bus, so who knows what he'll do. As if he is the only crook in Cook County. Listening to these others talk about how they are "shocked" or "appalled" makes me want to retch. I'm convinced half the Chicago politicians have their snout in the same trough.
Posted by: Herbie H. | December 12, 2008 4:27 PM
Illinois once had a governor who was beyond ethical reproach. Adlai Stevenson. And some before him, e.g., Altgeld.
And at least one supreme court judge who was considered among the three greatest in the country--
Walter Schaefer.
Finalist with Byron White for Kennedy's Supreme Ct. appointment.
What happened???
Now people spend hundreds of thousands to "win" a place on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Stevenson appointed Schaefer. At that time governors could do that.
Now everything is monetized.
There seems to be no reform movement at all in Illinois.
Even the Tribune now looks like a Hollywood tabloid.
The one outstanding politician who wasn't connected with the current political culture decided to run for higher office despite the reported advice of some that it was "too early".
Turns out his instincts were correct.
A few more years of Illinois associations, however innocent, would have made it much more difficult for Obama to achieve what he has achieved.
It seems nothing short of a shift to a northern European system of limitation on political money.
That old standby, campaign finance reform, seems to be the only way out of the endless cycle of Illinois political corruption.
Posted by: ornery | December 13, 2008 11:11 AM