Both Parties Struggle to Find Top Candidate for Marron Seat
Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) isn’t seeking re-election in 2024, and both parties are having a hard time fielding a top candidate for his competitive Champaign-Danville area seat.
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After Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) announced last month he would not seek re-election next year, it appeared to be a potential high profile race in the Champaign and Danville area next year.
Many Democrats appeared to target Champaign Township Supervisor and Champaign Firefighter Andy Quarnstrom as the most likely candidate to flip the seat next year, but Quarnstrom told The Illinoize he won’t be running next year.
Republicans, meanwhile, are having an even harder time to find a candidate for the seat. Much of the hesitation comes from the struggles Republicans have had in far west Champaign, which was formerly solid Republican territory and has flipped to Democrat-friendly strongholds in the post-Trump era.
Former Champaign County Treasurer John Farney likely would have been interested in the seat, but he just moved out of the district. No top tier Vermilion County Republican has emerged, either.
It’s still shaping up to be a competitive race next fall, but each side needs a candidate first.
