IL-14: Hastert to Announce Election Plans This Week

Speculation over the fate of former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert has oscillated between rampant retirement rumors and some suggestions that Hastert is actually enjoying his new gig as a backbencher (perhaps he grew tired of being the poster boy for President Bush’s failed policies in the House).  According to the Beacon News, Hastert will announce his re-election plans one way or the other on Friday:

Former Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis Hastert is expected to reveal Friday whether he will run for re-election.

A speech has been announced for 10:30 a.m. Friday in Hastert’s home town of Yorkville at the old Kendall County Courthouse, Hastert staffers confirmed Monday. Staffers were tightlipped about whether the former teacher and wrestling coach who climbed to the pinnacle of Congressional political power would seek a 12th term.

While Democrats have had not exactly flocked to challenge Hastert in elections past, a small swarm of candidates has emerged to make a run at the seat, including physicist Bill Foster, attorney Jotham Stein, and 2006 candidate John Laesch.  Another potential candidate, state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, has formed an exploratory committee in anticipation of a Hastert retirement. State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, who earlier considered a run, has bowed out of the race.  (H/T: TXObserver in the comments.)

With a PVI of R+4.8, Hastert’s district certainly leans Republican, but Illinois Democrats have scored wins in territory as red or redder.  Melissa Bean toppled long-time incumbent Phil Crane in 2004 despite George W. Bush carrying her district by 12 points.  In total, there are 25 Democratic incumbents in the House of Representatives who represent districts with a PVI more favorable to Republicans than Illinois’ 14th.

Stay tuned.  (H/T: Atrios.)

13 thoughts on “IL-14: Hastert to Announce Election Plans This Week”

  1. Is that the demographics of the district are rapidly changing – Kane and Kendall counties are recieving an influx of people from Chicagoland, although I’m unsure if this means that those people are more conservative, moderate, or liberal-leaning (probably moderate). This should impact the nature of these races for some time to come.

    If this takes place during 2008, Obama’s coattails would probably be the most hopeful, if not, it’s all about turnout.

    2. I couldn’t follow the segue.  What 25 Dems are we talking about?  How does this relate to Hasterts seat?  I missed something.

    3. Here they are:

      TX-17: Chet Edwards
      UT-02: Jim Matheson
      MS-04: Gene Taylor
      TX-22: Nick Lampson
      ND-AL: Earl Pomeroy
      MO-04: Ike Skelton
      SD-AL: Stephanie Herseth
      IN-08: Brad Ellsworth
      GA-08: Jim Marshall
      PA-10: Chris Carney
      KS-02: Nancy Boyda
      NC-11: Heath Shuler
      IN-09: Baron Hill
      VA-09: Rick Boucher
      KY-06: Ben Chandler
      PA-17: Tim Holden
      AL-05: Bud Cramer
      OH-18: Zack Space
      WV-01: Alan Mollohan
      SC-05: John Spratt
      CO-03: John Salazar
      MN-07: Collin Peterson
      IL-08: Melissa Bean
      OK-02: Dan Boren
      LA-03: Charlie Melancon

      Certainly a blue doggy-style bunch, for sure.

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