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.
