WCBU’s Jonathan Ahl scoops the competition
I heard Markley and Luciano discussing tomorrow’s press conference at around shortly at around 5:30 p.m., but the intrepid Mr. Jonathan Ahl had details of his interview with Ray LaHood on his blog at 4:51 p.m. Undoubtedly, the news was on WBCU before then.
Kudos to Mr. Ahl.
For those who missed it, U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood will announce his retirement when his current term ends in January 2009, roughly 17 months from now. LaHood says there’s no “heir apparent,” but one candidate would have to be State Rep. Aaron Schock, who is now in his second term as member of the state house of representatives.
So, who’s going to run on the Democratic side? LaHood was generally considered unbeatable (his only serious contender was Peoria Attorney G. Douglas Stephens in 1994. Democrats are almost certain to want to spend some serious money fielding a serious candidate in 2008.
Schock has proven himself a serious battler. He’s a hard-working campaigner and enjoys support from party king makers. But he’s unknown outside the immediate Peoria area, and the 18th is a geographically wide area.
NOTE TO A COMMENTER: No. Sorry. Mr. Ahl did not get this story via a press release. He got the story by securing an extensive interview with Congressman LaHood, which can be heard here: here. Every other media outlet in Peoria was scrambling to get LaHood on the record today, and only WCBU had it. I saw one TV station play an audio clip of the interview.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
I think David Leitch should run for the spot not Aaron Schock.
Schock raised one and a quarter million dollars for his last state rep campaign and he raised it mostly in the Peoria area. That was on top of the $750,000 he raised in his 2004 campaign. That’s $2 million of name ID in the past 3 years. The biggest chunk of that was spent on TV and the Peoria TV market is nicely broadcast to 80% of the 18th Congressional District. Who can match that?
wow…he scooped everyone on a press release sent to all media.
Woodward and Bernstein watch out! Ahl does a good job, but lets not get too excited.
no kidding
“j”:
Ray’s press release went out at 5:58 AM Friday Morning. WCBU’s interview with Ray aired/hit the web site at 4:50 PM Thursday afternoon.
The PJ Star had a brief on the story on its web site at 4:15 PM Thursday. Capitol Fax had a blurb at 4:45 PM. There were other Washington DC bloggers that may have been posting bits of information around that same time.
The rumor has been out there for a few days. Ray started calling supporters Wednesday to tell them of his decision. By Thursday, enough people knew that it started to become mainstream. Several reporters were working on the story.
The difference is LaHood talked to WCBU early Thursday afternoon, and seems to not have talked to anyone else until WMBD Radio early this morning.
Those, “j”, are the facts. I’ll let other people decide if it was a “scoop” or not.
Sage, a lot of Schock’s money was HRCC (via Tom Cross) and PAC money from OUTSIDE Peoria. It will be interesting to see how Cross reponds if Schock does decide to run for that seat. The House Republicans have invested a lot of money in that seat in the last two elections to keep it in Republican hands and I don’t know if that can be done with another republican candidate.
My story was posted a few minutes before his, apparently.
“don’t know if that can be done with another republican candidate.”
Ryan Spain?
Spain doesnt live in Schock’s district.
Wow, Rich Miller just has to beat up on a public broadcaster.
lol
11 Bravo
State House Republicans gave Schock around $300,000 of his $1,250,000 for the 2006 cycle. They gave about half of his $720,000 in 2004. He got some nice PAC money too. BUT if you look at his financial disclosures all the way back to the beginning of 2004 you will see a phenomenal amount of Peoria area individuals. No other state rep has anything like it. Other targeted races get 95% of their money from either Madigan or House GOP leader Cross, but not Schock. State Republicans were hugely helpful to Schock but you cannot read his filings and not be impressed with what he raised on his own. All that support has now led to developing a world class candidate at a higher level.
If you don’t think Schock can raise an avalanche of money on his own right now in a Congressional race you will end up being surprised.
It’s too bad Spain doesn’t live in Schock’s district because he could have easily won and would make a great state rep.
During the year of 2006 Schock only raised 200,000 or so from individuals. His receipts were in excess of 750,000 or so for the year. If it were not for the money he got from PACs and Cross he would not have had the campaign he did. Thats great for him if he raised another 500,000 or so from 2004 to the end 2005 but where was it at election time? I don’t have anything against Schock I think he’s doing an all right job right now. I don’t think he’s ready for congress yet and I honestly don’t think he would be a great candidate for the seat. I would be surprised if he ran.
As for your comment about Spain, I think he would probably make a great Rep someday but why push him and Schock up the ladder just because there is an open seat.
These Republicans need to think carefully who they send in to run for Ray’s seat, and find someone electable with nothing to lose.
Schock: look at his district. Very small in area. I bet there are people who jog the perimeter of the district everyday and don’t break a sweat. It’s one thing to be able to run a campaign for a seat in a small geographical area, with a single media market (I suppose two markets, if you count University’s grassy strips south of War Memorial). The 18th is a big district, over a dozen counties, almost to the Mississippi River. If he throws his hat in the ring, he can’t run for his state seat either. It’ll be all or nothing for him.
The other Peoria Republicans (whoever they are): being a “big shot” in Peoria doesn’t get very far outside Peoria.
WHOI says Lyons and Umholtz are also contenders. Lyons has the easiest job in Peoria and, as he would say, “couldn’t lose it with a losing machine.” Lyons could win it (probably the best Democrat for the job; all the Dems should be run out of town on a rail if they back that Waterworth character!) but why would he want the job?
Umholtz seems to have a problem deciding what job he wants. All the time while a prosecutor, he ran for state house (and lost pretty badly, if I remember), ran for AG (and lost very badly; only 30% of the vote; did Alan Keyes get over 30? I think he did). He’s in the same boat as Schock; if he runs, he can’t also run for states attorney either and hes up in 08.
Seems to me the Republicans have only one good choice (no, not that rabid right-winger Wright from Lincoln; jeez): Darin LaHood. Has name recognition. Has talent. Has a great network to take over from Ray. Has experience fighting terrorists. Not as young as Schock, but we shouldn’t hold Schock’s immaturity agaisnt him.
And Ray’s supporters won’t have to change thier bumper stickers either.
You don’t have to live in the district to run for the seat.
And your point is?
“You don’t have to live in the district to run for the seat.”
oh I see…. ALAN KEYES FOR CONGRESS!!!!