Politics: Schock out of the 18th District race? Don’t count on it …

Believe or or not, that’s a rumor that hit the ears of at least one local Republican elected official today. A phone call to someone close to the Shock camp vehemently denied it, saying Schock was “all in,” mirroring the words that former Coach Dick Versace used when he announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination for the 18th District seat in Congress being vacated by Ray LaHood.

There are other rumors about who will seek the Republican nomination to fill the seat Schock would have to vacate to run for Congress. One name is that of a woman who happens to be a member of a well-known political family in Peoria. This person something a track record for non-elected public service. There’s one other name as well, but when I Googled it, I came up with NO hits. Sorry, guy.

Whoever runs would have to face either Jehan Gordon, a political volunteer who was tabbed by Democratic Party leaders to face Schock, but who will now face whoever is nominated by the GOP, or Peoria County Board member Allen Mayer, who has yet to formally announce, but has appeared at at least one candidate’s forum I know about.

I’ll refrain from naming names until I get more confirmation.

UPDATED