Dave Koehler has taken himself out of the race for 17th District Congress and instead wants to remain in the Illinois Senate.
The 46th District State Senator released a statement late Friday afternoon saying Illinois has always been more important to him than Washington and it recently became clear he can make the most positive change for his constituents and neighbors by staying in the Senate.
Koehler says the balance between labor and business is vital to the state's economic health and he wants to be part of key decisions on this front made at the Statehouse in the future.
Peoria County Board Member Allen Mayer and former Peoria City Councilman Jim Polk have both already filed petitions to be on the ballot in March. Mayer tells 1470 WMBD he will drop out of the race and support Koehler. (Click Here for Full Story) Polk has not made his intentions known yet.
Here is the full statement from Senator Dave Koehler:
"Illinois has always been more important to me than Washington. Recently, it has become clear that I can make the most positive change for my constituents and neighbors by staying in the Senate.
"I am keenly sensitive to the balance between labor and business that is vital to our state’s economic health. It’s obvious that key decisions on this front will be made in the weeks, months and years ahead at the Statehouse, and I want to be part of those decisions to make sure the interests of Central Illinois are represented.
"Caterpillar, the men and women of the UAW and all of the other businesses and working families throughout this region need a pragmatic, experienced voice advocating for them in Springfield. I have a strong record of accomplishment from my time in the Illinois Senate and look forward to the opportunity to build on it as we rebuild our local and state economy.
"I am proud of the race we ran for Congress. I enjoyed traveling Illinois and getting to know so many great people. I will be eternally grateful to everyone who has donated, volunteered, or given me encouragement over the past several months, and I look forward to the future."
