David Gill Ends Campaign For Congress

David Gill is ending his bid for Illinois’ 13th District congressional seat, after failing to get a hearing before the U-S Supreme Court.

The independent candidate announced his withdrawal from the race after Justices Elena Kagan and Anthony Kennedy both rejected his appeal to get his name on the November 8th ballot.

Gill’s campaign manager, Don Necessary, told Lee Newspapers that Gill would not be running as a write-in candidate.

Word of Kennedy’s refusal to hear Gill’s case came on Tuesday.

In response, Gill said in a news release, “I’ve said for many years that our politics and government have rotted from the inside by having two major parties which are both owned by Wall Street. It’s now clear that the rot extends into our legal system as well.”

Gill is continuing his lawsuit contesting the Illinois law setting the number of signatures required for independent candidates to gain ballot access.

Gill has filed a lawsuit contending that the 10,754 petition signatures required of him as an independent candidate for Congress in Illinois. The requirement is much higher than the fewer than 740 signatures required for candidates from major political parties, a difference that Gill’s suit calls unfair.

That argument convinced federal judge Sue Myersough to grant ballot access for the Bloomington physician. But an appellate court panel took him off again.

Two U.S. Supreme Court justices --- Elena Kagan last week and Anthony Kennedy on Tuesday --- declined requests to hear Gill’s appeal.

The Illinois State Board of Elections argues that the higher signature requirement for independents is valid, due to the state’s interest in preventing ballot overcrowding and confusion.

Gill has not ruled out running for Congress again in 2018. But in a news release, he says that unless he wins his lawsuit, he may have to rule out running as an independent.

“With the Constitution rendered virtually meaningless by the powers that be, it may be that the only way to gain access to the ballot is by running in a primary of one of the major parties which require fewer than 740 signatures,” said Gill.

Gill’s exit from the 13th congressional district race leaves Democrat Mark Wicklund and Republican Rodney Davis as the only candidates.

Those two will meet in Urbana for a live debate on WILL AM and FM, next Thursday, October 13th at 7 PM, with a rebroadcast on WILL-TV on Monday, October 17th.

Gill previously ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012, losing to Tim Johnson in the first three races, and to Rodney Davis in the last one.

However, if I do try to run again, unless I ultimately prevail in my ongoing lawsuit, I may be forced to reconsider my decision to run as an Independent. With the Constitution rendered virtually meaningless by the powers that be, it may be that the only way to gain access to the ballot is by running in a primary of one of the major parties which require fewer than 740 signatures.”