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Elections Tue Jun 14 2011
Duckworth Resigns from VA; Congress Next?
The new Congressional map has not even been signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn but the jockeying for position is already underway. Former Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth turned in her resignation from the Department of Veteran Affairs yesterday. It is an apparent first move to run for the newly created 8th Congressional District encompassing her home in Hoffman Estates.
If Duckworth ran for the House again, she would have a much stronger position than the first time around. Her resume is more formidable -- since 2006, she has run the Illinois veterans agency and has been one of the top VA officials in Washington -- and she would be running from a more Democratic district.
The contest would also be during a Presidential election meaning a higher voter turnout for Democrats. But she may not be alone as former Comptroller candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi has already announced his intention to run for the same seat. It would set up a Democratic primary race next spring between two well-connected politicos.
If Duckworth does jump into the suburban race national pressure could be put on Raja in order to avoid a primary fight in March. She would also have a strong national fundraising platform while Raja's would come from the network he built in the state last year.
These maneuvers often begin a domino effect of for others to decide in a more timely fashion. Former Congressman Bill Foster has already decided to run in the 11th district despite living in the 14th. North of the city Ilya Sheyman, one-time MoveOn.org field organizer, has been campaigning for the 10th Congressional seat for over a month now.
Look for more dominoes to fall once the Governor decides to sign the map into law or not. Republicans will be crossing district lines and Democrats will be trying to find the best path into the redistricted seats.
