[Clintonfatigued]

The likely Democrat nominee will be state Senator Mike Jacobs. Indeed, I wonder if Evans timed his retirement to assure Jacobs the nomination?

As for any shot at winning this district, Andrea Zinga has a better shot than before, but the race still leans to the Democrats. A former newscaster, she's attractive and articulate and has potential, but Evans's retirement doesn't automatically put this race in the first tier.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"The likely Democrat nominee will be state Senator Mike Jacobs."

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Do you know anything about him? If he's a conservative Democrat, then he'll probably win fairly comfortably, but if he's anywhere near as liberal as Evans I think Zinga may pull off the upset.

"Indeed, I wonder if Evans timed his retirement to assure Jacobs the nomination?"

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If one wants to hand-pick one's successor, that's the thing to do. Heck, Bill Lipinski in the IL-03 retired after winning the primary and told ward leaders that they'd better select his son Dan as the nominee, or he'd unretire.

"As for any shot at winning this district, Andrea Zinga has a better shot than before, but the race still leans to the Democrats."

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I agree, it leans Democrat, but it's still winnable for us. I don't know how well Blago will do in the district, and the're won't be the high turnout that normally benefits Democrats in presidential-election years.

[fieldmarshaldj]

The question is, is she the BEST candidate we can put forth ? Are there any Republican elected officials of stature within this district ? The only ones I can think of are current Moline Mayor Donald P. Welvaert, but he has only been in office since last year, and his 12-year predecessor, Stan Leach. Interesting how Sen. Jacobs said that Evans deserves a say in who replaces him, yet Jacobs doesn't believe Democrat primary voters are entitled to that right. I figure if Jacobs is coronated by party bosses, perhaps Zinga should similarly withdraw for us to anoint the highest-profile Republican in the district. Fair is fair, after all.