The the primary wouldn’t be for over a year. The general election wouldn’t be for a year and a half. This map that Governor J.B. Pritzker signed not quite two weeks ago is creates a new, largely Bloomington-Normal based district that includes about 70% of Central and Western Bloomington.
When former Bloomington mayor Tari Renner saw that and that there would be no incumbent he decided to start preliminary conversations about a State Representative run.
“It looks like it would be a competitive district. Because this is partisan unlike being mayor, you don’t have to win a primary to be elected mayor, it looks like it’s about an evenly competitive district that maybe leans Democratic, but it is a midterm election. So in a midterm election, the Democrats would be less likely to show up than they would have presidential election,” said Renner. “So it’s is definitely a seat that could go either way. ”
Renner said this particular district isn’t unfair.
“Actually I think he can call it a fair fight district. I mean, it could be one that Republicans win in midterms and then it clicks back to the Democrats in early and in presidential elections. It’s definitely not one that the party could take for granted. Republicans might say it is unfair because it is a seat that is newly created,” said Renner.
The new 91st legislative district has a large portion of Bloomington-Normal, as well as parts of East Peoria, Washington and Carlock.
“And the area…pieces of it were represented by Republicans in the previous map,” said Renner. “Springfield isn’t as dysfunctional as it might’ve been two, five or 10 years ago, but it definitely needs some help to say the least. That’s one of the things that I think, having been a mayor where you actually have to do things and you actually get things done rather than to just debate and blither on, is an important perspective to bring to Springfield.”
One of the biggest things Tari Renner said he wants to address is open government and he said he achieved that in his time as mayor of Bloomington.
“So that people felt like even if they didn’t agree with what city hall was doing, but city hall was listening and that’s really critical for any democratic society in any functioning, and so I think there’s a lot of progress we could make in Springfield in that regard,” said Tari. “I wish we could get beyond the partisan gerrymandering of both Democrats and Republicans. Mostly this time around the Republicans throughout the country have controlled more places than Democrats, but 10 years from now that may not be the case. So regardless of what party, I would hope that we could come to agreement and nationally move toward fairness.”
Dan Brady, State Representative said he is exploring the possibility of a run for Secretary of State.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will not be seeking re-election after six terms.
Renner said he has never have considered running against Brady, or even voting against him.
“It would never have occurred to me. It’s when I saw the map and I said, ‘Well, that’s a new district. It would be an open seat,” said Renner.
Brady currently serves the 105th district.
Renner said some campaign ideologies he would include would be having a practical problem solving approach that a mayor can bring to the table.
“I think that’s really critical putting emphasis on public safety and fiscal responsibility,” said Renner.
Renner said he plans to make a solid decision by the end of the summer or by Labor Day.
Karla Bailey-Smith has announced a run for the new district as well, she failed against Keith Sommer in the last election for the 88th House District.
