Update: And he's out... That may have been the shortest campaign ever.
The Peoria Journal Star tells us that Richard Grawey is the first Democrat to enter the race to replace Ray LaHood in Congress.
"For people who know me well, it's probably not that much of a surprise," Grawey said recently, adding he worked on Capitol Hill from 1975 to 1982 as counsel for a congressional subcommittee before moving back to Peoria. "I've had, pretty much since my adult life, an interest in how as a society we make decisions."
Grawey entered private practice in 1982 and came to the bench in 1990, filling a spot vacated by Judge Richard Eagleton.
He's pretty unknown in the Springfield area. Anyone have thoughts about this guy?
For those who missed it, Ray LaHood's son decided not to run for the seat. It looks like the Republican field is clearing for Aaron Schock.
As a blogging side note, IL-18 should be added to the scroll down menu of Diary Topics because this is an open seat that Democrats have a good chance of winning with the right candidate.
IL-18 looks to be wide open, especially on the Democratic side, since Ray LaHood's departure made this an open seat and John Sullivan chose to pass. Philosophe Forum brought us some of the early names to come out: Sue Myerscough and former State Rep. Bill Edley (blueollie is big on Edley). Carl passed along the possibility that Dick Versace might run as well. Peoria attorney Patricia Benassi was also in and out while we were looking elsewhere. Now things are starting to shake out further...
First, Circuit Court judge Richard Grawey is looking very much like a candidate. He has dropped his role as chief judge of the 10th Circuit to explore the possibility of a run. (He'll have to drop his judgeship all together if he does run.) Seems like a big move if he wasn't seriously considering.
"I'm running for retention," Myerscough, a Springfield Democrat, said Tuesday. "My heart's in being a judge."
Myerscough said she received "quite a bit of encouragement" to run for Congress in Illinois' 18th District, where U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, is not seeking another term. She said she was "very honored to be considered," but decided that being a judge is a better fit.
"People elected me to do this," she said. "This is what I enjoy doing. I take this position very seriously. I hope to continue in this position."
The most interesting thing about the article though isn't that Myerscough decided not to run, but rather how involved the DCCC has already been. They spoke with Myerscough before her decision not to run (who said that she came away from the meeting thinking that IL-18 was more winnable than she thought) and have also reportedly spoken with Edley and Grawey. It's clear the DCCC thinks that this district can be in play.
