From the Politico:
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) formally submitted his resignation this afternoon to current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. He will officially be stepping down from Congress at 11:59 p.m. EST tonight.
This may mean a special election on February 5th including Jim Oberweis, Chris Lauzen, and who knows who else.
Your thoughts on the Hastert legacy? Or his replacement?
There cannot be a special General Election on February 5. There needs to first be a special Primary Election to determine the nominees of the parties, and then the special General Election to see who will occupy the seat for the remainder of Speaker Hastert's term. State law proscribes the amount of time necessary for each election, but there's not enough time to get both done by February 5.
There may, however, be a special Primary election on Febuary 5, to be followed by a general some weeks later.
Denny's good legacy was completely overshadowed by his dealings with and for Tom DeLay. Yes, he may have worked the system for what appeared as personal economic gain. However, most Illinoians have come to expect nothing less from high ranking members of this state's political system regardless of major party affiliation.
Good legacy? He's probably considered one of the dirtiest congressman of all time. Name any scandal involving a Republican congressman in the last 10-20 years and his name will probably somehow be associated to it. Good riddance.
Speaker Hastert is a great tribute to Illinois and the Republican party. His down to earth style and common sense approach to issues are much needed in all walkshis public life. God bless you Denny!
The statutes do not require a special primary (it is a drafting flaw in the Election Code). The Govs of the past have privided for one in the Writ calling for the special election, but no one can predicit what the current gov will do, can one?
Larry's view of Hastert is why Illinois has the label of "PETRI DISH OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION".