Weller heir sought amid retirement rumors

By Patrick Ferrell and Cindy Wojdyla Cain, Joliet (IL) Herald-News

September 20, 2007

Republican officials are seeking an heir to the Congressional seat held by Jerry Weller, the U.S. representative some Republican sources say may announce his retirement.

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann said Wednesday night he was approached by Republican officials about a week and a half ago to discuss whether Baldermann would be interested in the post "if and when Weller retires."

"They asked me if I was interested and I said, 'Sure, I'm interested.' Of course, 'interested' means I have a lot to think about," Baldermann said.

Baldermann declined to identify the Republican leaders he spoke to, other than to say, "They are not just concerned citizens."

"I don't know who else they are talking to, and we've heard the rumors before that Weller will retire. I can't say for sure if he is stepping down."

But a Republican source, who asked not to be identified, told The Herald News that Weller plans to announce his retirement in early October.

Internet and media outlets reported late Wednesday that the announcement could come as early as today. He is scheduled to appear at a Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce event Friday.

Weller is a seven-term Republican from Morris.

Recently, Weller received bad press over his Central American financial interests. And earlier this month, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Weller one of the 22 most corrupt members of Congress.

He was also one of 13 House members subpoenaed recently to testify in the trial of a defense contractor charged with bribing a former Republican congressman from California now serving prison time for bribery.
Competition
John Peacock, chairman of the Grundy County Republican Party said Wednesday night he was not aware Weller might relinquish his seat at the end of his term.

Jack Partelow, chairman of the Will County Republican Party, also said he was not informed Weller might not run.

If Weller doesn't seek his eighth term, that would open the floodgates to competition for the seat.

"When Jerry Weller won (the first time) there were 13 people in the race (between the two primaries), and Weller came out of it," Partelow said. "That's what this could be like. As soon as the word gets out, it's going to be like raw meat."

Jason Wallace, a 25-year-old Illinois State University student, has already announced he's seeking the seat on behalf of the Illinois Green Party.

In addition, Republican Jason King, of Bloomington, plans a run in the Republican primary. Jerry Weber, the president of Kankakee Community College, said he may run for the Democratic Party nomination.

It has also been reported by a Herald News sister publication that state Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, is considering running for the seat, in part because of hot pursuit from Emily's List, a prominent fundraising group in Washington, D.C., that supports pro-choice Democratic women.