http://www.prairiestateblue.com/Prairie State Blue:: Breaking: Hastert to Resign, Special Election in IL-14
from
http://rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/20539-1.htmlHastert Likely to Announce Resignation
James L. from Swing State Project: "Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has 5 days from Hastert's last day in office to set a date for the special election, which must take place within 115 days. Depending on the time line of Hastert's decision, we could see a special election coinciding with the state's February 5th primary. Stay tuned."
If Blagojevich sets the election for primary day, that would probably be a big help to the Democrats who would see huge voter turnout for Obama atop the ticket.
It is unclear to me how the primary works in a situation like this. They must have a primary date before the special election, right? I also have no idea who this helps or hurts, perhaps our IL-14 experts can take a crack at this.
However, it seems to me this helps our chances. Rather than having this race get lost in the shuffle somewhat, this will be front and center and the national party will invest heavily in the race because capturing the Speaker's old seat would send a chilling message to Republicans everywhere.
if he does it`s going to be really good news. if a dem can take the 14th and 17th that would be great news for the house