Story posted Thursday, August 27, 2009
Biss Is Back In 17th District
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Democrat Daniel Biss, who narrowly lost to long-time State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson (R-17th) in last year's election, told the Journal & Topics Newspapers today (Thursday) he is throwing his hat back into the ring for another run in the 17th next year.
Biss is expected to make a formal announcement later today and will host a campaign kick-off event on Sunday, Sept. 13 at a location yet to be determined.
The 17th Dist. covers most of Glenview in the Journal's coverage area, in addition to smaller portions of Golf, Morton Grove, Northbrook. Glencoe, Northfield, Wilmette, Winnetka, Skokie and Evanston on the North Shore.
In a tight November 2008 race, Biss lost to Coulson by a margin of 51.6% to 48.3%, or less than 2,000 votes.
Coulson will not be a factor in the district's 2010 race as she is running to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th) who is running for Barack Obama’s old seat in the United States Senate. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appointee to the senate, Roland Burris, currently holds that seat and is not running.
Last year Biss ran on a platform of changing the culture of corruption and “back room deal making” in Springfield and taking the “long view” on how to address the state’s problems.
He said he rejected an offer from powerful Illinois House Speaker, Democrat Michael Madigan, to fund his run to the tune of $100,000 last year so he could truly be an independent voice in Springfield.
Biss said he is running on the same platform he did in the last election with a renewed focus on political reform.
In the last election, the math professor chose to run after meeting with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) who endorsed him.
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.