LaHood to announce bid to replace Schock

Illinois state Sen. Darin LaHood (R), the son of former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, is expected to announce his bid to fill outgoing Rep. Aaron Schock’s (R-Ill.) seat, according to multiple reports.

{mosads}“When Schock announced his intent to run for Congress, we wondered, due to his lack of experience, whether he had the maturity,” Ray LaHood told the Chicago Sun-Times late Tuesday. “My son will announce within the next couple of days he will run for the seat vacated by Congressman Schock.”

The younger LaHood, who has served in the state Senate since 2011, had said at the Capitol in Springfield earlier Tuesday that he was “getting a lot of encouragement” to run, and he’d have a “formal decision” by Wednesday.

GOP officials in Washington said LaHood would announce his bid Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.

“If Darin wants it, he’s definitely the guy who brings the name, the in-district star power, can raise money, has the organization to move quickly,” one Illinois Republican strategist told The Hill on Tuesday.

LaHood’s bid comes a day after a surprise resignation announcement from Schock, who has faced a growing number of questions about his spending habits after The Washington Post reported last month he used taxpayer funds for “Downton Abbey”-themed office decorations.

Schock has since been hit with a congressional ethics probe and faced a slew of other critical stories, including that he allegedly spent $10,000 to take 10 staffers to an event in New York, despite most not having official trip duties, and that he spent taxpayer money for a flight to Chicago for a Bears game, among others allegations.

Once Schock officially resigns March 31, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) must determine election dates within five days.

Republican Illinois state Sens. Jason Barickman and Bill Brady are also considering bids, according to The Associated Press.

Schock is the second Republican congressman to resign so far this year. In early January, Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) resigned after pleading guilty to a federal tax evasion charge, part of a 20-count indictment.