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Democratic State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia (83rd District) announced she would not run in the 14th Congressional race yesterday according to the Chicago Tribune. The announcement, which of late had been expected, ends speculation that Linda would throw her hat into the race. While Linda had visited Washington, D.C. to introduce herself nationally, had a 14th congressional website (GoLinda.org), and publicly mused about running (always with the caveat that she would run only if Republican Congressman Dennis Hastert stepped down), the entrance of Democrat Bill Foster changed the dynamics of the race. Foster, running as a (conservative) Blue Dog Democrat, has pledged to spend up to a million dollars of his own money in the primary and general election (plus raise more), competing with Linda both on her conservative Democratic positioning and her presumed front-runner status in the ability to dominate the money race. With two other candidates, last cycle’s Democratic nominee John Laesch and first-in-the-race Geneva lawyer Jotham Stein, both of whom are getting around the district quite a bit, it was already a crowded field (Democrat Joe Serra is still considering a run).

With Linda Chapa LaVia out of the race, her importance as a key Democrat in the key Democratic city of Aurora continues her influence in the race. While all 14th Congressional Democratic contenders will likely seek her support and proven ability to attract votes, one would have to give the edge to Democrat Bill Foster for gaining Linda’s support. A major question is whether Linda will lend her support in the Democratic primary, or wait it out to support the eventual nominee.