|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
[IL] Democrats eye soon to be vacant GOP seats
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Container
|
| Contributor | ArmyDem |
| Last Edited | ArmyDem Aug 29, 2005 06:08pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | News |
| News Date | Tuesday, August 30, 2005 12:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Sunday, August 28, 2005
By Kurt Erickson
kerickson@springnet1.com
SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Rick Winkel's decision last week to not seek re-election has Illinois Democrats thinking the Land of Lincoln soon could become an even darker shade of blue.
Winkel, a veteran Republican legislator from Urbana, said Thursday he would quit politics when his term ends in 2006.
In making his announcement, the 49-year-old attorney became the fifth Republican incumbent in the Senate who will not be on the ballot next year.
The opportunity to compete in a handful of open seat races has Democrats licking their chops over the possibility of gaining a veto-proof majority in the Senate, where they currently control 32 of the 59 votes.
"I think it's quite possible," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-Moline.
"The Republicans are going to have to spend a lot of defensive money on keeping those seats from turning toward the Democratic side of the aisle."
In order to gain a veto-proof margin in the Senate, Democrats would have to win four seats currently held by Republicans. With a veto-proof majority, Democrats could approve whatever they want in the upper chamber -- from tax hikes to added borrowing -- without the fear of being blocked by the minority party. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
