Callahan announces candidacy for LaHood's seat
<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Colleen Callahan intends to follow in her family's political footsteps.
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Callahan, 57, announced her candidacy for Congress Monday at events in Springfield, Peoria and Quincy.
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Callahan's uncle, Gene Callahan, now retired, was an Illinois political activist and former Major League Baseball lobbyist. Her grandfather was a state representative, and her father was active in Iroquois County Democratic politics.
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Callahan, a Kickapoo Democrat, is running against Rep. Aaron Schock, R- Peoria, for the congressional seat held by U.S Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, in the 18th Congressional District. LaHood is retiring.
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Callahan replaces Dick Versace, a former Bradley University basketball coach, on the Democratic ballot. Versace initially announced his run for the seat, but dropped out in December because of personal reasons.
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Callahan said she will need to raise $1.5 million to $2 million.
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She believes that her roots in agriculture and background in broadcasting will help her communicate to voters.
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">"I have been a voice when others felt they didn't have one," Callahan said. "I have been a voice for many who believe their voices needed to be amplified and I'll do the same in Washington D.C."
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Meagan Sexton can be reached at (217) 782-6882.