Story posted Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Schakowsky Considers U.S. Senate Bid
The 2010 race for Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat could feature familiar local faces.
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) told the Journal & Topics Newspapers she will make an announcement on her decision to run for Obama's former Senate seat on Monday, June 8.
In a telephone interview from the House floor on Capitol Hill Thursday, Schakowsky said she is doing a lot of "soul searching," saying she loves her district but noting a recent Republican poll that shows her on top in the current field of likely candidates for senate.
Reports say Schakowsky's neighbor to the north, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th) is mulling a run for either senator or governor. The moderate Republican has done well in recent elections holding onto a Republican seat even as his district went for Democrats John Kerry and Barack Obama in recent presidential elections. If Kirk runs for senator or governor, current State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th) would seriously consider a run to take his congressional seat in the 10th District.
Schakowsky's district runs from Des Plaines on the west to Lake Michigan and includes portions of Park Ridge, Glenview and Niles.
Kirk's district borders Schakowsky's incorporating parts of Arlington Hts., Des Plaines Buffalo Grove and Glenview, running north to Waukegan.
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