The Republican incumbent, Ray Lahood, may run for Governor. Its a moderate Republican district, but it could be a good chance for Democrats to gain a seat in Congress since Illinois has turned more blue in the past few years.
Here's a blog post on why Democrats could win the district:
http://downleft.blogspot.com/2005/05/18th-illinois-congressional-district.htmlAnd another one on what kind of Democrat could win the district:
http://downleft.blogspot.com/2005/05/who-can-win-18th-congressional.htmlFrom the blog:
What kind of Democrat could win this seat? The district is dominated by middle class working people, unions, and small farm towns.
No Democrat can win this district without earning the enthusiastic support of union members. They're the most organized and largest political group in the district so their volunteers and money are essential to winning.
People in this district know what it means to lose their jobs to bad free trade agreements. Peoria, Jacksonville, Decatur, Lincoln and other towns in the district have all lost factories and jobs that sustained their town. Trade is the ultimate wedge issue that will get Independent and Republican voters to support a Democrat. A corporate friendly Democrat who thinks that being more moderate and electable means supporting free trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA and the WTO, and who takes union support for granted will have no chance of winning the 18th. We need an economic populist.
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