Schakowsky Says "No Thanks" To Shot At Burris' Seat

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 8, 2009 2:20PM

2010 is shaping up to be a free-for-all for the U.S. Senate seat that Roland Burris is currently keeping warm in Washington. But, finally, a politician has come out and said she will not run for the U.S. Senate: U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (who had way better seats at the Inauguration than we did). Instead, Schakowsky plans to run to keep her current U.S. House seat. She released a statement that said, in part, "I think the next two years present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make progressive change. I want to devote my energy to help make these things a reality, and decided that I simply couldn't do it if I mounted a campaign for Senate."

The Democrat side is getting crowded for this seat. So far, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Chris Kennedy have been getting ready for the 2010 Senatorial race and the crowd may grow once A.G. Lisa Madigan makes up her mind whether she wants a shot at the Senate or the Governorship. Burris claims he'll run again in 2010 but his fundraising has fallen well short of goals. Lynn Sweet also reports City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie D. Neely and Chicago Urban League Chief Cheryle R. Jackson are considering making a run for it. Meanwhile, on the Republican side, only state rep Mark Kirk's name has come up as a serious candidate. [Sun-Times]