Story posted Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Schakowsky Won't Make Bid For Open Senate Seat
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th), whose district serves most of Des Plaines, Rosemont, Park Ridge, Niles and communities to the east, will not run for President Obama's former Senate seat, but will instead seek re-election to the U.S. House, she announced Monday.
"I seriously explored mounting a campaign for the Senate. The polls and response from Democratic leaders and grassroots voters across Illinois and around the country convinced me I would have a very strong chance of winning a Senate race," said Schakowsky. "But I have worked my entire career for this historic moment and I decided that in order to run for Senate I would simply have to divert too much time and energy to do the massive amounts of fundraising required by a serious Senate bid."
Area congressman Mark Kirk (R-10th) has reportedly been eyeing the Senate seat currently occupied by Sen. Roland Burris who was appoinuted several months ago former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th) said she would seriously consider running for Kirk's seat if he runs for higher office.
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