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| Illinois GOP Uses Schock to Defend Special Election Need |
The state's Republican Party is using a man they consider a rising star in the party to promote a new effort they have to convince lawmakers and the public that whether or not Governor Rod Blagojevich is impeached, neither he nor a replacement should be allowed to pick President-Elect Barack Obama's U-S Senate replacement.
State Representative Aaron Schock is the Congressman-elect for the 18th District, which covers a portion of Knox County.
Schock, who spoke Sunday from Washington in a conference call with reporters even though the Illinois General Assembly is in Springfield for a two-day session starting Monday, says the way he sees it, it's not up to him who should pick Obama's replacement now.
"The only constituency in Illinois qualified to select our next U.S. Senator, is the Illinois electorate," Schock said. "Not the current Governor, not the Lieutenant Governor, not even the state Legislature can be removed from these claims and the investigation of the U.S. attorney and his office."
The GOP is launching a T.V. ad campaign starting calling for a special election. Schock says he's not concerned with the estimated $30 million cost of a special election, saying that while Blagojevich allegedly put a price on the senate seat, good government is priceless.
Meantime, 17th District Democrat Phil Hare sent out an e-mail to supporters Friday formally calling for Blagojevich to resign, and for allowing Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn to make the pick, saying time can't be wasted.
Hare says, though, he is open to a special election if necessary. |
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| 12 15 08 by Newsroom |
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