Durbin sees chance for Democratic takeover in Senate

Posted on October 31, 2016
Dick Durbin
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said there’s a chance the Democrats could retake control of the Senate on Election Day. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Dick Durbin)

By RFD Radio/WFMB

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin may not be running for re-election next month, but he’ll have a lot on the line regardless.

Democrats are pushing hard to regain majority status in the upper chamber of Capitol Hill, but Durbin says the best case scenario for his party is probably off the board.

“With four seats and the Vice President if it’s Tim Kaine breaking the tie, we have a nominal majority, we organize, but it’s a 50-50 Senate,” Durbin said. “If someone gets up in the morning and their car doesn’t start, you have to recalculate the votes.”

Democrat Tammy Duckworth’s effort to unseat incumbent Mark Kirk is seen as a key contest for Democrats.

Republicans currently have a 54-44 majority in the U.S. Senate.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…