State Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson has jumped into the 11th Congressional District Democratic race to succeed Republican Congressman Jerry Weller, who is retiring. Rich Miller in Capitol Fax reports that Halvorson said that Kankakee Community College President Jerry Weber would drop out of the Democratic primary (Weber’s congressional website here). The only other Democratic contender (that I could find) is real estate appraiser Robert Gorman, who presumably would have an uphill fight for the nomination should he continue in the race. Neither John Pavich, the Democratic nominee in 2006, nor Tari Renner, the Democratic nominee in 2004, is expected to run this time.
From the Halvorson Campaign:
“Halvorson Launches Grassroots Campaign for Congress
On Tuesday, October 2, State Senator and Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson announced her decision to run for Congress in Illinois’ 11th Congressional District:
‘Today, I am announcing my grassroots campaign for Congress, because the hard working families of Illinois’ 11th district deserve accountability, proven leadership, and a strong voice in Congress.
In Congress, I’ll work to bring our troops home from Iraq and I’ll continue my fight for affordable healthcare and to strengthen our local economy. It is time we put Illinois families first, not DC special interests.’
Senator Debbie Halvorson, was re-elected in 2006 to a 4th term as State Senator of the 40th District. With a reputation as one of the hardest working legislators in Springfield, Senator Halvorson rose into leadership team after only two years then spent two years as Majority Caucus Chair and moved up to Assistant Majority Leader in 2004. In January of 2005 she was appointed Majority Leader, the first woman ever in the history of Illinois. She is the only woman in Senate Leadership.
Prior to entering the Senate, Halvorson spent 14 years as a small businesswoman and served as Crete Township Clerk from April, 1993 to December, 1996. She is a lifelong resident of the 40th District, married to Jim Bush. They have four children and three grandchildren.”
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