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US Sen. Durbin Endorses Goetten for Congress
Story date: Saturday, February 11, 2012 from Illinois Public Media News
Greene County States Attorney Matt Goetten has received a major endorsement in his bid for the Democratic nomination in the 13th Congressional District race. He has picked up the backing of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Durbin made the announcement on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at the I.B.E.W. Local #146 in Decatur. He acknowledged that he does not typically give out endorsements before a primary. However, he said Goetten has a good chance at winning the race in the re-drawn 13th Congressional District, which includes Champaign, Decatur, Bloomington, Springfield, and the Metro East area near St. Louis.
“The part of the district that he’s from traditionally would lean Republican, but he’s going to do well there,” Durbin said. “I thought that may give him a slight advantage when it comes in to the overall Congressional district.”
Durbin said he admires Geotten’s background, saying he is the right person for the job.
“Good strong background, serving in the National Guard, oversees in Afghanistan; I think is a very positive thing,” Durbin said. “People are grateful for all of our men and women who do that, and secondly his career as a State’s Attorney has been a good one. So, I thought it’s a good resume to be a strong candidate.”
Goetten had previously dropped out of the race, citing family concerns, but said he later changed his mind after speaking at the Champaign County’s Democratic Dinner on Oct. 30.
“I’m running for Congress because like many of you I have seen, witnessed the dysfunction of the House of Representatives over the past several years,” Gotten told a group of people after accepting Durbin’s endorsement. “I’ve witnessed and been frustrated by the inaction. I’ve witnessed and been frustrated by what I’ve seen as an erosion of the middle class. I’ve seen and been frustrated by the lack of job opportunities right here in the 13th Congressional District.”
Goetten is running in the March 20 primary against Bloomington Democrat David Gill.
Gill is making his fourth bid for Congress. He has received endorsements from former Illinois comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, State Representative Naomi Jakobsson of Urbana, and Champaign County NAACP President Patricia Avery.
“It’s unfortunate that Sen. Durbin thinks that Matt Goetten is the best candidate, but a number of people disagree with that assessment,” Gill spokesman Michael Richards said.
Richards added: “I think the fact that (Sen. Durbin) felt like he needs to come out in the open and publicly stick his neck on line and endorse him shows that they’re maybe getting a little bit worried that Goetten may be too weak of a candidate to win this primary on his own.”
The incumbent in the race, U.S. Representative Tim Johnson (R-Urbana), is facing a primary challenge of his own. He is up against veterinarian Michael Firsching of Moro and retired iron worker Frank Metzger of Glen Carbon.
WILL-TV and WILL-AM 580 will broadcast an hour-long debate with Gill and Goetten at 7 pm on Wednesday, March 14. Illinois Public Media’s Jim Meadows will moderate the debate before a live studio audience, with three journalists joining him in asking questions.
(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)
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Listen to Sen. Dick Durbin endorsing Matt Gotten in Decatur on Feb. 11, 2012:
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Story links:
- Matt Goetten's campaign website
- David Gill's campaign website
- US Rep. Johnson Faces GOP Primary Challenge (Related Story)
- Goetten Back in Race for Illinois’ 13th District (Related Story)
- Gill Running Again for Congress (Related Story)
- Greene County State’s Attorney Could Enter 13th District Race (Related Story)
