Guess who’s announced he’ll run for LaHood’s seat. Isn’t this the seat he’s been groomed for all along?
Category Archives: 2008 Campaign
John Morris throws his hat in the ring
Former Peoria City Councilman John Morris has announced he’s going to skip the exploratory committee and jump right into running for Ray LaHood’s seat in the 2008 election.
Morris has been out of politics for just over three months, having decided not to run for reelection to his at-large council seat earlier this year. “Right now, the most important thing for me is to spend more time with my family,” Morris was quoted as saying in the May 1 edition of the Journal Star. I guess he’s had enough of that.
I’m kidding, of course. But it doesn’t surprise me that Morris is trying to get back into politics. I was really surprised that he didn’t run for reelection, actually, because he seems to enjoy it so much. I mostly concur with Billy’s assessment of Morris, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s going to be a “formidable opponent” of whoever runs, but he certainly will be a contender.
Heartland Partnership CEO Announces Exploratory Congressional Committee
Here’s the press release I received today (also in PDF format with McConoughey’s bio):
Peoria, IL – Jim McConoughey, 46, President and CEO of The Heartland Partnership, today announces an exploratory committee for the Illinois 18th Congressional District seat.
“Following the announcement of Congressman Ray LaHood that he will not seek reelection, I have been encouraged by many community leaders to consider running for his open seat. I am honored that many consider me a worthy candidate for this important position,” McConoughey stated. “As a result, I am announcing that I will form an exploratory committee to consider all options related to my possible candidacy for United States Congress.” Former Caterpillar Chairman Glen Barton and other leaders throughout Central Illinois will join the exploratory committee.
As the CEO of The Heartland Partnership, Jim McConoughey recognizes the importance of strong leadership for the 18 th Congressional District in Washington. He believes that the continued success of our region will be dependent on sustaining the level of hard-work and cooperation set forth by Congressman LaHood and his predecessors.
“I will use the next several weeks to reflect on this important decision and consult with a broad range of people in the 18 th Congressional District and most importantly, my family.”