GOP candidate Baldermann withdraws from 11th District race

WTHI-TV Channel ^ | February 22, 2008

[Clintonfatigued]

The chairman of the Illinois Republican Party says he's confident a candidate will emerge to replace 11th District congressional nominee Tim Baldermann.

And Andy McKenna says he respects Baldermann's decision today to withdraw from the race.

Baldermann says in a statement released today that he can't juggle his family life, his congressional candidacy and his two municipal jobs. He's mayor of the Chicago suburb of New Lenox and police chief of Chicago Ridge.

Baldermann says he plans to file withdrawal documents with the Federal Election Commission on Monday.

He had been slated to face Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson and Green Party newcomer Jason Wallace for the 11th District seat.

[Clintonfatigued]

This does not look promising. I can only hope that some well-known Republican agrees to run in his place. The Rodent nominee is well-known and well-funded.

[Kuksool]

Once again, a quality candidate bails out, while undesireables like Ted Stevens insist on staying. If Obama is the Rodent nominee, it will be really hard to hold the IL-11.

[Clintonfatigued]

Former White House aide Jimmy Lee, the runner-up in the primary to Balderman, might have fund-raising potential. As of now, he’s undecided as to whether he’ll take the nomination.

[BillyBoy]

Jimmy Lee was the third place finsher in the primary with 17%. The runner-up to Baldermann was Terry Heenan, who got around 22% of GOP voters. I just spoke to him on the phone today and he's interested in being slated to replace Baldermann but he says the party hiarchy will probably bypass him in favor of someone with big $$$ and elected experience.

Both Heenan and Lee are solid Reagan conservatives. Lee has some appeal as a rare asian-American Republican candidate with experience in Washington, but questions were raised in the primary about his residency requirements in the 11th District, and past donations to DemocRATs. Heenan is a retired airline pilot, and has alot more connections with the conservative grassroots and conservative activism in Illinois.

Heenan told me the party officials are toying with the idea of slating State Rep. Renee Kosel (I don't know if she's interested or not), with is another one of those gutless "moderate" types that's supposedly "electable" but will turn away the GOP base in droves.

One thing's for certain, if the ILGOP slates a replacement the way they did in the 2004 Senate race (the two "finalists" to replace Jack Ryan were Alan Keyes & ultra-RINO Andrea Barthwell), this seat is a Dem-pickup for sure. It's already gone from toss-up to lean-Dem with Balderman's exit, and Debbie Halvenson (the state Senate assistant majority leader) is a forminible candidate.

Baldermann's really pissed off the party with his sudden exit from the race. I don't blame them. I HATE when candidates wait until AFTER the primary to cut-and-run for a race. Guys like Tom Delay and Tim Baldermann are making it easier for the Dems to come in and snatch victory while the GOP is in disarray.

[Impy]

Shame on you Baldermann you should have had you epiphany before the primary.

The ILGOP “brain” trust will probably pick Alan Keyes.

[TheRightGuy]

Hey der BB,
I heard some speculation that Lauzen may go after that seat. Have you heard any buzz?

[chicagolady]

Thats correct!!

[TheRightGuy]

Oberweis should go help campaign for him ... thus removing he threat of perennial primary challenges in the 14th.

[BillyBoy]

I've heard so as well but I haven't been able to confirm whether or not Lauzen is interested. Phil Collins did confirm today that part of Lauzen's state Senate district IS in the 11th, so he wouldn't be accused carpetbagging if he got into the race.

Jon Zahm is pretty close with Lauzen so I tried calling him to see if it's a possiblity.

I think Terry Heenan has a valid point that he came in 2nd and should be considered for the job, but I don't want to jump the gun here if a really strong candidate is willing.