By Eric Stock
URBANA – Now that four Democrats have declared to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis next year, a state lawmaker has decided won’t be running for the seat.
State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, issued a statement she will instead focus on her duties as a state lawmaker and working to ensure that Bruce Rauner is a one-term governor.
“This was one of the hardest decisions of my life,” said Ammons. “The stories I heard from Congressman Davis’ constituents stayed with me as I drove home from the listening sessions, as I picked up my grandson from daycare, and as I worked in Springfield.”
Ammons had formed an exploratory committee and stated a listening tour in April to formally consider a run for Congress.
“Throughout these listening sessions, I realized most of the issues being described to me were state issues and my efforts would have more of a direct impact in Springfield – a place where I have already successfully passed legislation that prevents pollutants from entering into our water supply, ends unfair charges for prison phone calls, and protects workers,” said Ammons.
Ammons added the money she raised for a possible congressional run will be donated to local nonprofits that were “devastated by the budget crisis.”
Former Illinois Assistant Attorney General Erik Jones, former Democratic party operative Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, emergency room doctor David Gill of Bloomington and University High School teacher Benjamin Webb have declared their candidacies for the Democratic nomination.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
