Halvorson to run for 11th District Seat CRETE, IL (wqub) - A veteran state lawmaker will join the race for the 11th district Congressional seat. State Senator Debbie Halvorson of Crete says she'll run for the spot now held by outgoing Republican Congressman Jerry Weller. Halvorson serves in the number two position among Democrats in the State Senate. But she says the loss of tenure won't be a problem....

Halvorson... who's 49.... was first elected to the state legislature a dozen years ago when she
pulled an upset over longtime Republican lawmaker Aldo DeAngelis. She's
in the middle of a term.... and will be able to keep her current seat if the Congressional bid fails.
She says the focus of her campaign will include affordable healthcare and the need for a third Chicago area airport at Peotone.

Weller says he won't seek re-election for he terms "family reasons". That decision came at the
same time he's under scrutiny for land deals in Central America. © Copyright 2009, wqub