By Staff, Assocaited Press

October 3, 2007

Democratic state Sen. Debbie Halvorson said Tuesday that she will seek retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller's congressional seat.

Halvorson, the state Senate majority leader, said she spent last weekend in Washington meeting with congressional, political, and national party leaders, including at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"They have assured me that this is an important race to them and that we will be working together," said the 49-year-old Halvorson, D-Crete.

The district of suburban Chicago and rural communities went for Republican President George Bush in 2004, but Weller's margins of victory have shrunk in the last few elections.

The Republican announced last month that he would not seek an eighth term amid questions about land deals in Nicaragua and whether he should report his wife's finances to Congress. A citizen watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, also labeled him one of the 22 most corrupt members of Congress.

Weller's camp has said his decision to spend more time with his family was unrelated to the recent criticism and that he made up his mind months before he announced his retirement plans.

Others considered potential candidates for Weller's seat are Republicans state Sen. Christine Radogno of Lemont and New Lenox Mayor Tim Balderman, as well as Democrat Jerry Weber, president of Kankakee Community College.

Weller's is the third GOP congressional seat in Illinois that will be left open by retirement. Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Rep. Ray LaHood also have announced they won't seek new terms.