Callahan named to face Schock
<p align="justify">After about three months without anyone in the race for the U.S. House in the 18th Congressional District, the Democrats have their woman.
<p align="justify">Chairmen in 16 of the 20 counties that make up the district on Thursday chose longtime farm broadcaster Colleen Callahan, 57, as their candidate for the post currently held by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria. Former Bradley University basketball coach Dick Versace dropped out of the race in December for personal reasons; officials are allowed 60 days after the Feb. 5 primary to choose their candidate.
<p align="justify">"I am as well prepared for 15-hour days as one can get or longer. It's a small portion in time out of a lifetime," Callahan said. "I've been getting my sea legs as one must do in putting together a staff, finding a campaign headquarters, all of those procedural things that come with running for office."
<p align="justify">Callahan, of Kickapoo, will face Republican state Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria in the November general election. It likely will be an uphill battle with Schock's established name recognition, ability to garner bi-partisan support and colossal head start on fundraising.
<p align="justify">Callahan called Schock a "money-manufacturing machine."
<p align="justify">"The herculean task is the financial responsibility and challenge when you haven't been in a primary and had the same length of time to raise the funding that it takes at this level," Callahan said, adding she expects she'll need to raise $1.5 million to $2 million.
<p align="justify">Schock, who nabbed 72 percent of Republican votes in the three-way GOP primary, said he's working to build strong relationships with Democrats, a lion's share of whom he's represented in his 92nd District. Schock's legislative district has the largest concentration of Democratic voters in the 18th Congressional District.
<p align="justify">"This doesn't really change my focus or operation because I haven't let up campaigning since the primary," Schock said, adding he's not taking that win for granted. "I'm going to work very hard and I think I have a record that's demonstrated my ability to get things done for constituents who elected me."
<p align="justify">The 18th District hasn't had a Democratic congressman since 1917.
<p align="justify">Callahan, meanwhile, already has traveled to Washington, D.C., for a candidate orientation on fundraising, issues and more by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
<p align="justify">"She's so knowledgeable and has been on TV and radio for a number of years so a lot of people recognize her name," said Shirley McCombs, state central committeewoman for the 18th Congressional District and secretary of the state's Democratic Party. "She has quite a network throughout the district."
<p align="justify">A formal announcement will be Monday in Peoria, Springfield and Quincy.
<p align="justify">Callahan worked in broadcasting for more than 30 years, mostly covering and commenting on agribusiness issues at WMBD-AM 1470. In 2003, she started her own communications firm and currently heads Colleen Callahan Communications.
<p align="justify">Karen McDonald can be reached at (309) 686-3285 or kmcdonald@pjstar.com.