........Please Give to Democrats Abroad Argentina
Let the great game begin! Sure we'll be following the presidential race like everybody else. But the real fun will be right in your ol' back yard. This is a magic year for Democrats. Conventional wisdom says we don't have a chance at a "veto proof" majority in Congress ...but this year, anything can happen! Click your home State ...or any of the ones that you're interested in.

Make sure that you leave your comments and any news that glean from back home ...we need you!

ILLINOIS

The Senate:...
Democratic Incumbent: Dick Durbin
Republican Challenger: Steve Sauerberg

The House:...

  • Illinois's 8th congressional district: Melissa Bean (D) gained national attention by toppling longtime incumbent Phil Crane in 2004. However, the 8th is considered the most Republican of the Chicago suburban districts (and by some accounts, all of Illinois), and Bean has had a perennial spot on Republican target lists. Bean will face at least two challengers, Republican businessman, and former professional hockey player Steve Greenberg and Green Party candidate Iain Abernathy in the general election.[60]
  • Illinois's 10th congressional district: Mark Kirk (R) survived a surprisingly close race in 2006, winning by 53% to 47%. The district, the state's wealthiest, went for John Kerry with 54% in 2004 (CPVI=D+4). In December 2006, Kirk disclaimed any interest in the 2008 U.S. Senate race against the Democratic incumbent, Dick Durbin. Kirk will again face his 2006 opponent, Dan Seals, who won the Democratic primary with 81% against a credible opponent. David Kalbfleisch the founder of the Arlington Heights chapter of the Green Party has announced that he will run for the seat.[61] Kalbfleisch is a Navy veteran and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.[62][63]
  • Illinois's 11th congressional district: Jerry Weller will be retiring at the end of his seventh term.[64] Weller (R) won 55% of the vote in a district that narrowly went for George W. Bush in 2004 with 53% to 47% for John Kerry (CPVI=R+1). The Republican nominee was New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, but he announced in February that he was dropping out of the race.[65] Local businessman Martin Ozinga was chosen to replace Baldermann as the Republican candidate. [66] State Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson is the Democratic nominee. Jason Wallace, a veteran of the Iraq War and chair of the IBHE-SAC,[67] is running as a Green Party candidate.
See also: Illinois's 14th congressional district special election, 2008
  • Illinois's 18th congressional district: Ray LaHood (R) has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2008 [71] The district, based in Peoria, was once represented by former House Minority Leader Bob Michel. The district leans Republican, but not overwhelmingly so (CPVI=R+5). State Representative Aaron Schock (R) won the Republican nomination. The Democratic nominee is news personality Colleen Callahan. The Green Party candidate is Sheldon Schafer.[68]
Retirements:...
Illinois's 11th congressional district: Jerry Weller(R)
Illinois's 18th congressional district: Ray LaHood(R)


Completed Special Elections:...Illinois's 14th congressional district: Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) resigned November 26, 2007. In a surprising upset, Bill Foster (D) defeated Jim Oberweis (R) in a special election on March 8, 2008. The two will likely face each other again in November for a full term.

No comments: