It is no surprise that Debbie Halvorson plans to run again
for Congress--in the newly-drawn 2nd congressional district. The seat happens to
be held by U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., her former colleague with whom she
battled during her last tenure in congress. Halvorson served in the 11th district which abutted Jackson’s 2nd district. Since the maps have been redrawn, his district now encompasses much of the territory in her former district. She was defeated, at the conclusion of her first term, by newcomer U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger.
Halvorson is a long shot. She rode into office in 2008 on President Barack Obama’s coattails. The hugely popular Republican takeover by the tea party in 2010 swept her back out of office.
Halvorson’s announcement to run again is no surprise because that is what politicians do when they lose. The truth of the matter is that there are rarely losers in politics, especially in Illinois politics. Once connections are made, promises given, and bucket loads of cash ensures ‘a friend in the factory,’ often times the same people run over and over again, sometimes for the same and sometimes for other posts. When it becomes
impossible to convince the public to vote for them, they
are usually appointed to a government job. It is as if holding elected office is
the step to getting a high-paying cushy government job with all the benefits the
taxpayers will give.Halvorson wanted to be named Illinois transportation secretary, but Illinois governor Pat Quinn appointed someone else. So, for now, Halvorson will have to forego the big bucks political job in favor of being a congresswoman, if she can convince the public.
The Peotone Airport battle
While the two were colleagues, Halvorson and Jackson battled over the
proposed Peotone Airport, but not the fight that should have been waged. As the
project was located in the 11th congressional district, Halvorson should have
represented her constituents, the majority of which have proven countless ways
that they opposed the airport. Instead, she chose to pay her allegiance to the
unions in Joliet who salivated over perceived jobs and contracts. She sided with
the huge concrete and asphalt companies who contributed campaign cash over the
people who only had their votes to give. Her battle with Jackson was over who would control an airport if and when it was built.
Both took a pro-airport position despite Halvorson’s first public position being against it.
In 1996, Halvorson was a virtual unknown in the political realm. She was a Mary Kay salesperson and Crete Township Clerk. She rose to political stardom in 1996, however when she defeated the popular Senate Majority Leader Aldo DeAngelis.
Halvorson was once anti-airport
Halvorson ran as a no-airport candidate. I know because I was at her campaign headquarters that night. I and many others were elated when this seemingly down-to-earth woman who was on our side, defeated the godfather of the Peotone Airport. Little did we know that the minute she set foot in the capital in Springfield that she would a DeAngelis clone.
Saying all the right things to all the right people, Halvorson ascended rapidly to become Illinois’ first Senate Majority leader.
It will be interesting to watch the battle between these two. As far as I’m concerned—they are evenly matched. Neither has been able to get what they want.
Just days into her campaign and already Halvorson is sniping about Jackson’s ethical issues, which includes a House investigation over Jackson’s alleged attempt to buy Obama’s senate seat and his marital infidelity. Political theater is always a spectator sport.
