Potential Candidate for Governor Visits SIUC

Republican U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood came to SIUC Tuesday as part of a statewide tour to gauge support for a possible run at the governor's mansion in 2006. LaHood said members of the GOP have asked him to declare his candidacy, but he will not make a decision until summer. LaHood said if he receives grass root support and is able to raise enough money he will run.

"If I decide to do this I'm committed to winning the nomination, winning the governor's mansion and making Illinois a red state," LaHood said. LaHood said he has proven he can attract non-Republican voters as well as the party faithful. LaHood said 52 percent of his district, which includes Peoria and Springfield, is Republican, but he was able to win 70 percent of the vote.

"You can't win in Illinois without getting Democrats and Independents to vote for you," LaHood said. Setting bi-partisanship aside for a moment, LaHood criticized Gov. Blagojevich's plan to balance the budget. "I wouldn't tamper with people's pensions," LaHood said in reference to Blagojevich's plan to overhaul the state's pension system to reduce costs.

LaHood said he would focus on keeping small businesses in Illinois and wants to keep doctors from crossing state lines, because doctors' offices create jobs. LaHood also said Blagojevich is cutting state jobs unnecessarily. "It's a meat axe approach," LaHood said. LaHood also criticized Blagojevich for remaining in Chicago rather than moving to Springfield and he said Blagojevich needs to visit southern Illinois more frequently.

"We have a mess in Illinois, a huge mess, created by this governor," LaHood said. "He's missing in action - except in Chicago." LaHood said if he runs he will help his party and the state's government.

"I think our party is looking for somebody who hasn't necessarily been involved with state government," LaHood said. "Republicans, I think, are looking for somebody who hasn't necessarily been around, and who hasn't been a part of the Springfield mess."

LaHood said he had never visited the University before, but he had helped get federal funding for the SIUC Cancer Center in Springfield. LaHood wanted to learn more about Southern. He spent his day talking with administrators and faculty and LaHood said his first impression of campus was a good one. "This is a very, very fine institution," LaHood said.