Illinois' 7-Term Republican Rep. LaHood Retiring

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

(07-27) 10:06 PDT Peoria, Ill. (AP) --

Republican Rep. Ray LaHood, who earned a reputation for civility in more than a decade in Congress, said Friday he plans to retire after his seventh term ends in January 2009.

The prospect of leading an ordinary life after 30 years in politics "is pretty appealing," said LaHood, 61.

--
LaHood, a former teacher, said he announced his retirement early to give prospective candidates time to launch their campaigns. The 18th Congressional District seat has been held for nearly a half-century by just two men — LaHood and former House Minority Leader Bob Michel. LaHood was Michel's chief of staff before Michel retired and LaHood was elected in 1994.

This time, there is no heir apparent, he said.



Read more: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/07/27/national/a100427D03.DTL

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. of all the GOPers in Illinois, his

reputation remained the highest.

considering the cesspool that makes up Illinois politics, that is saying a lot.

[Ian David]

2. "Mister LaHood, Larry Flynt on Line One..." ???

Pukes Need to Get Lives
Topic started by Cary on Jun-22-04 10:02 AM (5 replies)
Last modified by leftyandproud on
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=114492

Congressional endorsement central:
Topic started by ProSense on Jul-26-07 11:50 PM (4 replies)
Last modified by pirhana on Jul-27-07 02:25 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3406750

Rep. Ray LaHood (R) Announces Retirement (good pickup opportunity)
Topic started by Cheney Killed Bambi on Jul-26-07 09:57 PM (0 replies)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3406373


LaHood (R-Ill.) will not seek re-election
Topic started by babylonsister on Jul-26-07 08:33 PM (1 replies)
Last modified by madrchsod on Jul-26-07 09:26 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3406161

Springfield Journal-Register: LaHood won't run for governor
Topic started by kevsand on Aug-18-05 09:23 PM (0 replies)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=150&topic_id=8975


Who Hijacked HR 811? "Congress puts off fixing touch-screen voting"
Topic started by WillYourVoteBCounted on Jul-22-07 02:20 AM (140 replies)
Last modified by flyarm on Jul-27-07 02:59 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=477574

Military Commissions Act Final Vote Count
Topic started by Freedom_from_Chains on Oct-18-06 05:13 AM (6 replies)
Last modified by healthpellets on Oct-23-06 05:10 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=226&topic_id=5009

Ray LaHood Retires...Is Gym Teach Denny Next???
Topic started by KharmaTrain on Jul-27-07 10:56 AM (6 replies)
Last modified by KharmaTrain on Jul-27-07 11:13 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1451426

Ray LaHood announces retirement
Topic started by Perky on Jul-27-07 10:49 AM (3 replies)
Last modified by global1 on Jul-27-07 11:57 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1451382

[CANDO]

3. Will this be a Democratic pick up?

Illinois is blue, but what are this district's demographics?

[never cry wolf]

4. Central Illinois, relatively red part of the state

Peoria/Springfield and many surrounding rural counties. Almost all lily white and redneck.

http://www.house.gov/lahood/18thdistrict.shtml

However, after 8 years of puke disaster I'd say every seat is in play and losing the incumbent can't hurt.