Politics & Government

Debbie Halvorson Files Papers for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Congressional Seat

Former congresswoman Halvorson tells Phil Kadner she's been asked to run but hasn't decided whether to challenge the eight-term congressman.

Debbie Halvorson says she's filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission for the now held by Jesse Jackson Jr.

Halvorson, who served a term in the 11th District until 2010 when she was beaten by Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, lives in Crete and her home would be in the 2nd District under the new district map.

Halvorson told SouthtownStar columnist Phil Kadner that folks in the district have issues with Jackson, a fellow Democrat, but she hasn't decided to officially take on the challenge.

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“I’ve been asked to run by constituents who feel they are not represented. I’ve told them I would consider it and I have to keep my options open if I’m going to do that, and that means filing my paperwork.

“He lives in D.C. He doesn’t come home on weekends. His kids go to school in D.C. ... I like Jesse. A lot of people pit us against each other, but we agree on a lot of things and often voted the same way in Congress.

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“But there are some issues we do disagree on.”

Kadner points out the two Democrats have been at odds over the third airport project. Jackson has long championed the project as a jobs creator for the south suburbs. So has Kadner.

Thanks to Rod Blagojevich's attempt to sell off Barack Obama's Senate seat, however, Jackson may be more vulnerable than in past elections. Jackson's reputation was tarnished by revelations his camp and the governor's had discussions about the seat, and questions were raised about whether Jackson's go-betweens discussed raising campaign money for the governor, possibly in exchange for Jackson's appointment to the Senate.

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If Halvorson and Jackson do square off in the March 2012 primary, this will be a congressional battle to watch.

Roll Call is reporting that Halvorson had $222,000 in her campaign fund at the end of July, while Jackson has $306,000.

Jackson has been in office since 1995, winning the office after U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds resigned in disgrace following a sex scandal.

Halvorson, 53, a , is not unaccustomed to tough political battles herself. In 1996, she wrested a State Senate seat from popular incumbent Republican Aldo DeAngelis. She went on to become former Senate President Emil Jones' majority leader. She was elected to Congress in 2008 but defeated in 2010.


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