NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — The sidewalks were full, and the streets flooded with people rallying against U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood.
There was a range of emotions, people were shouting chants asking for LaHood to be present. But the Peoria Republican was nowhere to be found.
“I bet his dad would be ashamed of him for what he’s doing,” said Kathy Mills, an attendee of the rally, referring to the congressman.
LISTEN: Congressman LaHood reacted to the protests on WJBC’s Scott Miller Show.
Darin’s father, Ray LaHood, served 14 years in Congress, leaving that chamber in 2013 to become Transportation Secretary under then President Barack Obama during his seocnd term in the White House.
Kathy and her husband Mark were out in the street attending the rally, and said they were concerned about their retirements.
“Come meet with your people. You work for us. Do the right thing,” said Mark Mills, Kathy’s husband. “Stop bending to Trump and doing whatever he wants and destroying everybody and cutting everything.”
In a news release, LaHood said, “I am committed to focusing on the issues that matter to my constituents. I will continue to provide high-quality constituent services, support local businesses, meet with constituents across Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, and represent their interests in Washington, D.C.”
In the same release, a spokesperson for LaHood said he “was in the northern part of his district, meeting with constituents, touring local businesses, and hosting an open house for prospective students and parents interested in attending our nation’s service academies.”
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