The Capitol Fax Blog » This just in… Oberman out of 5th District race

This just in… Oberman out of 5th District race

Friday, Jan 23, 2009

* 10:20 am - Justin Oberman, the son of a former Chicago alderman, has dropped out of the 5th Congressional District special election…

The confidence you have shown in me reinforces my eagerness to serve the people of Illinois, but I have determined that the best use of your resources is not for this special election, and I have decided to withdraw from the race. With sincere gratitude for your willingness to support our efforts, I will be returning all unused funds to you and all of our other contributors.

Oberman never really got any traction and wasn’t expected to do all that well anyway.

* Also, from what I’m told the drawing for ballot positions was today. On the Democratic side, Charles Wheelan drew the top spot, followed by Rep. Sara Feigenholtz and Rep. John Fritchey.

* 11:34 am - Teamsters Joint Council 25 has endorsed Rep. Fritchey for Congress. Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers endorsed Fritchey yesterday.

* 11:59 am - Mike Quigley responds to Oberman’s withdrawal…

“Justin represents a new generation of leaders inspired by President Obama’s call to service and to help improve our communities and our country.

“I have had the opportunity to speak with Justin and on those occasions I have been impressed by his commitment to public service. I am also pleased that we share many of the same views about the need for progressive government and the importance of bringing fundamental change to Washington.

“I am certain that Justin will draw upon his valuable experience in government and the private sector to help the people of this community in the years ahead. I look forward to working with Justin in the future to promote the goals we share.”

Quigley, by the way, will appear second to last on the ballot. Patrick O’Connor is last.

- posted by Rich Miller

13 Comments

- VanillaMan - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:30 am:
Thank you Oberman, you are demonstrating the right attitude.

C’Mon O’Connor! - do the same! Don’t let yourself be seen as petty and vindicative.

- Ace - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:36 am:
When’s the date of this election?

- sweet - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:47 am:
Great news for Charlie Wheelan!! Let’s send an economist to Washington!

- wordslinger - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:50 am:
More to come, I’m sure.

- Been There - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:50 am:
Is anyone else in the same predicatment as our industry is? We mainly deal with Springfield issues and both Fritchey and Feigenholtz have been pretty good to us. If I back Fritchey (its “I” since I have to write a personal check) that ticks off Sara. If I back Sara, that ticks off John. They have both asked.
So actually, whoever I support, I really want them to lose and other one to win. That way they I don’t care as much if they are ticked at me and our industry. They are out of Springfield. The person I supported is happy with us and still Springfield. Kind of stupid and backward way of thinking but its true.

- JonShibleyFan - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:17 am:
BeenThere,

Write them both checks.

- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:30 am:
From what I am hearing, Sara (no surprise)is the only one getting snippy if somebody supports them both. For better or worse, Fritchey is pretty mellow about it.

- Been There - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:48 am:
Jon & Anon, thanks for the advice. The way I understand it now, I write them both checks, so it cost me twice as much, but since Sara is snippy, I have to hope she wins. Or maybe I should just write an additional check to Quigley and hope he wins. This is getting expensive.
Realistically, I am probably going to bite the bullet and just support Fritchey (money and door knocking) and actually hope he wins. I will just dodge out Sara for awhile if that plays out.

- Ditto - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:50 am:
“anon” that’s some great intel you got there. Very insightful. In all my years dealing with springfield and legislators I’ve never seen sara lose her cool or get “snippy”. Of the two, fritchey’s the one known for having a short temper.

Oberman’s exit is interesting. Even if he endorses someone it won’t make much of a difference, but it probably benefits sara a bit more than quigley or fritchey since I think he was the only other Jewish candidate in the race.

- Cool hand - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:51 pm:
Oberman is a good guy who had good intentions to work for the 5th district residents if he were elected. He has the experience but not the machine connections.
If anyone loses his cool on a regular basis it is Fritchey.

- Capitol View - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:58 pm:
Ditto, I second your remarks to “anon”. Sara does have a temper, but she reserves it for incompetents and those who go back on their word.

I have high regard for both Feigenholtz and Fritchey. I do worry about John’s health…

- uofcalum - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 3:12 pm:
Sweet- Charlie Wheelan is not an economist. He has a PhD in public policy and writes for the Economist magazine. Nice guy, but no practical legislative experience. Not the time to send a neophyte to Congress. Sorry Charlie.

- MOOSE123 - Sunday, Jan 25, 09 @ 11:41 am:
I’ve known Charlie Wheelan for many years and can say, without qualification, that the District will be proud of what he can accomplish for both the District and the nation. Look no further tha #1 on th ballot!

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