State Senator Darin LaHood is officially running to replace outgoing Congressman Aaron Schock in the 18th District. Schock resigns at the end of the month following questions surrounding taxpayer spending and donor relationships. State Representative Mike Unes is also considering a run for Congress during a special election later this year. State Senator Jason Barickman, a Bloomington Republican, has expressed interest. Other possibilities include former State Representative Jil Tracy of Quincy, who left her seat for an unsuccessful bid as lieutenant governor last year. Reports are that state senator Bill Brady is NOT going to run for Schock’s seat.
LaHood says he's getting a lot of encouragement to run. His name has frequently been mentioned at the Illinois capitol as a likely contender. LaHood has been a state senator since 2011.
"This is a district that's a very Republican district. There will be a lot of qualified people that want to get involved with it. I think regardless of who gets in they're going to have to work hard, earn the trust of the voters in the 18th district, and see what happens at the end."
LaHood's father is former U.S. Transportation Secretary and 18th District Congressman Ray LaHood.