And there you have it. This week, Tammy Duckworth officially announced that she is launching a run for Congress in the newly redrawn north/northwest suburban Illinois 8th Congressional District: Tammy Duckworth running for Congress again, in redrawn 8th.Duckworth recently resigned from her position as the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Veteran's Administration and returned home to the Chicago suburbs amid speculation that she was seriously considering a run for Congress. Looks like the political insiders were right. Here's an excerpt of her statement with the announcement:
I wanted you to be among the first to know that I plan to run for Congress in Illinois' new 8th Congressional District. I came to this decision because I believe there is no higher calling than to serve our community and our country.Duckworth previously ran for the House in the 6th Congressional District, losing to Rep. Peter Roskam in a close race. This time, she'll be running with a beefed-up resume and the district drawn in her favor. At the moment, she faces a Democratic primary with Raja Krishnamoorthi, former candidate for state comptroller. More here: Tammy Duckworth running for Congress again.
As most of you know, I proudly served our country in Iraq. When a rocket propelled grenade hit the Black Hawk helicopter I was co-piloting, my buddies risked their lives to carry me out, not knowing if I was dead or alive. Because of them I am here today.
Two and a half years ago, President Obama appointed me Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. While at VA, I traveled across Illinois and the nation. And I saw that it was not just our nation's Veterans who were having a tough time in this economy. As millions struggle to find a decent job or pay the mortgage, many wonder if the American dream is still within reach - for themselves and for their children.
The choices we make in the next few years will help answer that question.