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Candidate to replace LaHood says to expect holiday campaigning

Posted September 12, 2007 11:00 pm

Adriana Colindres

Illinois' unusually early primary election date next year - Feb. 5 - means political candidates likely will campaign through the holiday season, Jim McConoughey said Thursday in formally announcing his run for Congress.

McConoughey, a Republican who lives in the Peoria-area community of Dunlap, wants to take over the 18th District seat that U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, will vacate when his current two-year term ends in early 2009.

State lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich this year approved a new law that changes Illinois' primary date from the third Tuesday in March to the first Tuesday in February during even-numbered years.

In the past, political candidates generally have waited until January to begin campaigning for the spring primary election, McConoughey said at a state Capitol news conference. But that probably won't be the case for the 2008 contests, he said.

"We're going to have to be careful that we don't violate people's principles about how the holiday season is important," McConoughey said. "And we're going to have to be careful about getting our message out as well - much more aggressively, quicker. January is going to be a pretty critical month."

McConoughey estimated his campaign would cost anywhere from $825,000 to $1.4 million.

McConoughey, accompanied in Springfield by his wife, Gina, and their children, Elizabeth and Spencer, said he would be a full-time candidate. He is taking a leave from his job as president of The Heartland Partnership, an umbrella group that includes the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and other organizations.

The 46-year-old McConoughey described himself as "not a politician" and said he would offer a "fresh approach" to leadership. A first-time political contender, he has worked with politicians on their candidacies and on policy issues. He said he has supported former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and helped create a port authority in the Peoria area.

Other Republicans who say they will seek LaHood's job in the U.S. House are Aaron Schock, a state representative from Peoria, and John Morris, a former Peoria City Council member. The winner of the February primary will advance to the November general election against the Democratic nominee. So far, no Democrat formally has announced intentions to run for the congressional seat.

The 18th District consists of all or portions of 20 counties in central and western Illinois. It stretches as far west as Adams County, east into Macon County, north into Bureau County, and south into Pike, Scott, Morgan and Sangamon counties, including part of Springfield.

LaHood hasn't yet endorsed any of the Republican candidates who want to succeed him, said Tim Butler, LaHood's chief of staff.

Adriana Colindres can be reached at (217) 782-6292 or adriana.colindres@sj-r.com.

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