Colleen Callahan, a well known agriculture reporter in Central Illinois, announced yesterday her intentions to run for US House of Representatives in Illinois' 18th District. It's a funky district, jerrymandered, of course, like all districts in Illinois - though this was done to help Republicans and it's worked for a long damn time. The seat has been held by a Republican for 60-some years now, the most recent 22 of those by "Uncle Ray" LaHood - one of the best at bringing home Federal bacon. His predecessor and mentor, Bob Michel, held the seat from 1956 until 1995, 39 freakin' years! That I can tell, it's never been held by a woman. But given Bill Foster's pick up of Denny Hastert's long time Republican district this past Saturday - I'd say Colleen (pronouced Co-lean, co with a long o) has a damn good chance!
I'm posting this for entirely selfish reasons - hoping for Kos and ActBlue to investigate and promote Ms. Callahan. I honestly don't know a whole heck of a lot about her, having only lived in Central Illinois for three years now (and never having lived in what I now fondly call "The Middle"). I have learned, though, in three years of being very active in local issues and politics, that Central Illinoisans shy away from being too politically vocal and from showboat politics - very much unlike our Chicago friends to the north (no offense meant, it's just different, see also thin crust pizza). Lots of people here would describe themselves as solidly Republican or Independent more than anything else. A practical bunch mostly. To their credit, they almost always patiently and politely listen to my liberal "ranting."
But as most indicators suggest, the area "leans" republican. There are plenty of Democrats in office here. Peoria's county board and city council are fairly evenly split. I know plenty of lefty activists and more than a few Republicans who voted for Obama in our recent primary. And I know a lot of folks who hate divisive, corrupt politics.
Also working very much in Callahan's favor is her long history as an Ag reporter. All those Republican leaning farmers - of which there are tons in IL-18 - woke up to her voice for 30 years. She is very well respected 'round the rural parts of the district.
Other thoughts - Michel was criticized as being "too moderate" by Newt Gingrich (see wikipedia link above). So while being described as a Republican "stronghold" - Central Illinois is not a haven for the typical righty wing-nuts you'll find elsewhere today. Folks are reasonable. LaHood received the same criticism from Gingrich - and is mostly known as working really hard for the people of this district (Caterpillar in particular), although in his final years he's become mostly a W sycophant like the rest.
She doesn't have a campaign website yet, that I can find, so here's her company website.
She will indeed have a tough fight. Her opponent, Aaron Schock, is very much THE local Golden Boy, and has yet to lose an election in which he's run - starting with his win as a write-in to Peoria District 150 school board, while he was still in high school! He slaughtered his opponents in the nomination race (with 75% or so of the vote), both of whom were no slouches politically. Having met him personally, he's very charming and smart. Has built up the cash coffer already, since the Dems are very late in coming to the race. But of course, he's a Repuglican and echoes the party nonsense pretty darn well.
So there you go, Kos and ActBlue - a request from one woman to help Colleen Callahan play in Peoria! (Sorry, pun had to be used, it's all most of y'all know about my nice little city.) There are lots of Dems here who'll be busting some butt to take back IL-18 - and I say this is our year to do it!