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The 11th Congressional District race in Illinois started off looking like a slam-dunk for the Democratic Party. But that might not be the case anymore.
The election had the benchmarks of a Democratic takeover when incumbent Republican Congressman Jerry Weller decided last year not to seek another term. The announcement came after the Chicago Reader uncovered that the south suburban politician failed to disclose property he owned in Nicaragua, which he wasn't too happy to talk about with reporters.
With a scandal-ridden incumbent stepping down and then the winner of the GOP primary also bowing out, this race looked like it was in the bag for Democrat Debbie Halvorson. The district, which is traditionally a Republican stronghold, may also be in the throes of a political sea change. More Democrats than Republicans hit the polls last winter for the presidential primary. While this might make some Republicans worried, the party received a jump-start in April by slating concrete company owner Marty Ozinga against Halvorson and 26-year-old Green Party candidate Jason Wallace (geez, what were you doing when you were 26?).
Halvorson, a former cosmetics saleswoman, says she's ready to serve the district by touting her experience as the Illinois State Senate Majority Leader, which Ozinga has used for political ammunition. Following Sen. John McCain's lead, Ozinga claims Halvorson has close ties to Senate President Emil Jones and Governor Rod Blagojevich, charges Halvorson denies. But Ozinga's tactic of lumping Halvorson in the same boat as the governor may have backfired when it was revealed that Ozinga donated $10,000 to Blagojevich.
With the election only a few weeks away, a debate scheduled for tomorrow at Illinois State University might give a boost to either candidate so long as they both show up.
By Hunter Clauss
Photo of Debbie Halvorson from her website
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Well Halvorson was Emil Jones hand picked Sen Majority leader and she had no problem holding an ethics bill in her committee to avoid it getting a vote. This race is a choice of which is worse. Maybe the loser of Kirk/ Seals could take this spot. Either of them would be a better choice. One of the stories of this race is Jessie Jr. not supporting Halvorson so that one of his minions can take out Ozinga in 2010.
City of Chicago cement king (what could go wrong) vs. Democrat with dubious ties? Perfect time to vote for the Green Party candidate.
>Perfect time to vote for the Green Party candidate.
So you can't decide, so you want to let all the other voters decide for you? Ok, I guess.
So it will be candidate you don't like A 49%, candidate you don't like B 50% and Green Party 1%.
whymusti,
I can't really translate the incoherence of your post. I'd vote for the green party because both republicans and democrats are worthless and corrupt. I can decide perfectly fine. I'm simply saying that voters who identify with both major parties are left with pretty crummy choices. I don't identify with either of the major parties so my choice would be simple.
I just wish somebody would have told Halvorson that looking straight at the camera with your eyes popping out & never blinking is not a good look.
She also is too scared to say she's a Democrat in the ads.
Navin,
Incoherence? Wow. You really are slow. I will spell it out for you.
If you vote for a third party who has no hope of winning....your vote will have absolutely no affect on the outcome.
You can stay home for all the difference it will mean. Other voters, (who will pick a candidate who polls in double digits), will be the ones who decide the election.
Now, I understand that some of those were big words, but please, try to keep up.
The fact that Ozinga is the Republican candidate is just another example of the pathetic state of the Illinois GOP.
And I am a Republican.
sure why whymustiregister, your vote really counts, keep believing sucker
Weller was the only person in the house not to vote on the bailout. Apparently because no one in Joliet is struggling? I haven't been down in a while, so I'm not sure.
Seriously, even Obama votes present when he doesn't want to take a stand. And McCain flies by gut instinct, always a quality better than research, planning, or diplomacy for a president.