Gov. Challengers Begin To Line Up: First Up, Ray LaHood

Rumors were floating earlier this week, and now the Peoria Journal-Star has a couple articles that makes it almost official - Democrat Gov. Blagojevich could have his first real opponent for 2006 - Republican U.S. Congressman Ray LaHood. LaHood isn't the only name in the mix, but he's the one who's been making the most noise, and more importantly, a candidate lots of people might like.

Thought of by many as one of the last decent guys in Congress, LaHood served a long apprenticeship as chief of staff to his Peoria predecessor and U.S. House Minority Leader, Bob Michel. As congressman, LaHood has sponsored countless formal and informal Democrat-Republican get-togethers, in an attempt to assuage D.C.'s well-known partisanship. Lately he's begun to flex some muscle, and is credited for an ill-timed remark about how out of touch Republican then-Congressman Phil Crane was with his district. Then-candidate Melissa Bean snapped up the remark and put it in a mailer to voters, which probably convinced many that Crane's time was up.

LaHood sits on the House Appropriations Committee, and while he isn't in Republican leadership, he is considered a moderate bellweather -- literally telling DC politicos if it will play in Peoria -- and exercises influence far beyond what his position may suggest. So the question begs, why would a comfortable guy like LaHood want to enter a crowded field for governor, and try to run against Blago's $10 million campaign fund?