Rauner Releases Details For Special Election To Replace Schock

By aaroncynic in News on Apr 1, 2015 8:10PM

In the wake of former Representative Aaron Schock’s resignation, which took effect yesterday, Governor Bruce Rauner announced details of the special election to replace him. The Chicago Tribune reports potential candidates have until April 20 to hand in their paperwork if they’d like to run to replace the Congressman, who resigned amid several scandals regarding his spending habits.

Rauner also set dates for both the primary and special election for June 8 and July 24, respectively, but those are expected to change. In order to comply with federal voting law, sufficient time must be allotted for absentee ballots and it’s expected the special election could take place in August.

In the interim, Schock’s office will remain staffed and supervised by the Clerk of the House until a new representative is elected. Meanwhile, the 33-year old former Congressman will more than likely get to keep at least some of the items from his Downton Abbey style digs he initially attempted to make taxpayers foot the bill for. ABC reports furniture using his Members’ Representational Allowance will remain, but since Schock cut a personal check for the $35,000 in redecorations, those are now his private property.

Schock was apologetic but hopeful in his farewell speech last week and even invoked Abraham Lincoln. “His continual perseverance in the face of these trials, never giving up, is something that all of us Americans should be inspired by, especially when going through a valley in life,” said Schock, according to Politico. “I believe that through life’s struggles we learn from our mistakes and we learn more about ourselves. And I know that this is not the end of a story, but rather the beginning of a new chapter.”