The pool of potential candidates is forming to take over the Illinois 18th District Congressional seat, just one day after U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock announced his resignation in the wake of questions about his expenses and connections to political donors.
The four-term congressman said Tuesday that he will resign effective March 31.
Illinois state Sen. Darin LaHood confirmed this morning that he will be a candidate. He is the son of Ray LaHood, who held the District 18 seat for 14 years before leaving to serve as President Barack Obama’s Transportation Secretary
The one-term legislator says he has received "a lot of encouragement" to run and that he'll campaign on his state Senate record, which includes being a strong advocate for ethics reform.
Two other possible contenders have taken themselves out of the picture. Two-time gubernatorial candidate and three-term State Sen. Bill Brady took himself out of contention early today.
“I’m very flattered that many supporters and residents of Central Illinois have suggested I seek the seat," Brady said in a statement. "I have decided, however, to remain in the Illinois Senate at the current time because of my business interests and my wish to help Governor Rauner resolve the many challenges Illinois faces."
Brady mentioned three fellow legislators -- including first-term State Sen. Jason Barickman of Bloomington -- and his own brother Ed Brady as possible candidates.
Barickman announced later this morning that he will not run.
Schock's resignation statement, issued Tuesday by his Congressional office, said he is taking the step "with a heavy heart."
"Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life," the statement said. "I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington."
Schock's announcement followed reports by POLITICO raising questions about tens of thousands of dollars in mileage reimbursements Schock received for his personal vehicle.
In a statement issued soon after Schock's announcement, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said “This is a sad day for the people of Illinois and the 18th District.” Rauner also expressed his hope and belief that, given the questions that had been raised, Schock was doing the right thing for his constituents.
According to state law, Rauner must issue a call for a special election to fill Schock's seat within five days of his resignation taking effect. That election would have to take place within four months of the vacancy, i.e., by the end of July.
Ray LaHood said Tuesday that he was surprised and sad that Schock resigned. “I worried a little bit that when some of these stories came out that there, you know might be some problems or issues," he said, "but I certainly didn’t think it was going to lead to his resignation.”
The resignation also was a hot topic Tuesday at the Illinois Capitol. Republican State Rep. Bill Mitchell, who’s from Forsyth, says he remembers when Schock first announced his 2004 run for the Illinois House.
It was a race Schock wasn't supposed to have won; he unseated an incumbent Democrat and became the youngest member elected to the General Assembly.
"I mean, so he had a charmed life up ‘til this time,” Mitchell said. “and that's what makes this a very sad day.”
Schock's downfall, though, is an opportunity for another politician's star to rise.
"I think now people will be … how do I put this delicately? ... evaluating their prospects," Mitchell said.
"This is a district that's a very Republican district. There will be a lot of qualified people that want to get involved with it," Darin LaHood said. "I think, regardless of who gets in, they're going to have to work hard, earn the trust of the voters in the 18th district, and see what happens at the end."
Other state politicians mentioned as potential candidates to replace Schock include:
- Peoria-area Republican State Rep. Mike Unes, who was first elected in 2010
- Former State Rep. Jil Tracy of Quincy, who left her seat for an unsuccessful bid as lieutenant governor on the ticket with Kirk Dillard
- State Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington, who was first elected to the House in 2000
A run for Congress mid-term won't require any of the state legislators to give up his or her current job.
The 18th district is drawn to favor a Republican candidate. It includes portions of Marshall, LaSalle, Livingston, and Woodford counties in the WNIJ listening area.
In recent months, Schock faced a series of questions about his use of taxpayer funds. He recently repaid the government after using money from his office budget to redecorate his office. He also reimbursed taxpayers after taking a private plane to see the Chicago Bears.
"The constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself,” Schock’s statement continued. "I have always sought to do what’s best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve."
Details emerged Monday of another business deal between Schock and one of his political donors as a congressional ethics investigation appeared to get underway.
A shell company linked to Schock paid a political donor $750,000 last year for a warehouse in Peoria, then took out a $600,000 mortgage for the property from a local bank run by other donors, according to Illinois land records and private business documents.
- Illinois Public Radio reporter Alexander Rusciano and Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky contributed to this story.
