There apparently will be a race in November in the 18th congressional district. U.S. Representative Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) will be challenged in November by a Eureka College history professor. Junius Rodriguez says he was chosen by a group of Democratic party chairmen to run against the first-term Republican in the district, which covers Peoria, Springfield, parts of McLean County and extends to far western Illinois.
Rodriguez says one of the key things he wants to do is bring jobs to the district.
"We can leverage some of the assets that currently exist in the district. For example, working out partnerships that exists between local public libraries and community colleges to be able provide training within towns rather than have individuals have to drive to particular schools themselves. We can use technology in order to make that sort of thing happen," said Rodriguez.
Though Rodriguez did not seek nomination in his party's primary, his selection was part of an accepted process political parties use to fill vacancies on the ballot. He says he has the support of all county party leaders in the 18th district. Rodriguez says he decided to run after voting in the March Democratic primary an noticing there were no party hopefuls seeking a seat in Congress.
Rodriguez, 58, has been teaching at Eureka College for 24 years. He is a native of Louisiana and says this is not his first run for public office. He sought election as a parish commissioner in Louisiana when he was 19.
Rodriguez will officially launch his campaign today with three events throughout the congressional district, one each at the county courthouses in Woodford, Logan and McDonough Counties.