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Dick Versace Drops Out Of Illinois Congressional Race
Former basketball coach Dick Versace, who had recruited by the Democrats to run for the seat of retiring Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL), has dropped out of the race, citing "unforeseen personal circumstances."
No other Democrats had filed for the seat, leaving the Dems without a candidate after the filing deadline. Under state law, the party will be able to name a new candidate — but this does leave them without their star recruit in a GOP-leaning seat, increasing the GOP's likelihood of retaining it.
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"Unforessen personal circumstances" my ass. What we in IL-18 had was an unprepared millionnaire candidate who didn't want to put in the work. When he announced, he refused to answer any questions from the press. In the last few weeks, he fired his campaign manager and was caught being both "pro-choice" and "pro-life." This wouldn't see so bad except that we haven't had a democrat in Congress since the Wilson administration. The amount raised by Steve Waterworth in his last two bids wouldn't be enough to run a credible campaign for Peoria City Council. The late Rick Baker wrote a column describing the local democratic juggernaut as a "nitwit with a popsicle stick." This was written in 1982.
December 9, 2007 2:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
The state Democratic party has adopted a strategy in recent years of arranging it so that they can avoid a primary. Phil Hare and Lipinski both owe their seats to well-timed resignation announcements that cleared the field, and there's a thought that Versace was asked to serve as the ghost candidate to scare away less-desirable candidates so that the party leaders could select their preferred candidate based on whoever wins the Republican primary. If it is Aaron Schock they will likely throw in the towel and concentrate on Weller's seat and perhaps Hastert's as well, but if either of Schock's less-experienced opponents manage a win they'll recruit someone good and try to pick this one off as well. It's a nearly 60% Republican district so it would take a lot for a Dem to win it.
December 9, 2007 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink