Davis "Serious" About Run for Governor
Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), leaving the White House during the government shutdown in 2019. Davis is said to be “serious” about a run for Governor in 2022. Though he is waiting for the outcome of redistricting before making a decision about his future.
Five term central Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) is said to be “serious” about running for Governor in 2022, though sources tell The Illinoize he will wait for a final redistricting plan to be enacted before making his decision.
Davis, 51, who was elected in 2012 to a “toss-up” district stretching from Champaign-Urbana to the east west to parts of Springfield and south to the Metro East, has long been considered a top target for Democrats, but has withstood top tier challenges in 2014, 2018, and 2020.
(Disclosure: I was Communications Director on Davis’ first race in 2012.)
There is speculation Democrats, who control the redistricting process, could try to draw Davis into an unwinnable Democrat leaning district or pair him with a fellow Republican like Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) or Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro).
As Republicans continue to search for a candidate many GOP insiders believe can beat vulnerable Democrat JB Pritzker in 2022, The Illinoize is told Davis has been receiving multiple calls encouraging him to run for the state’s top office.
“Rodney would do well in every region of the state,” said former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady, who has been a longtime Davis supporter. “He would clean up downstate and I think he would have a lot of appeal to suburban voters. He’s a conservative thinker who does not scare people.”
Brady says Davis can appeal to moderate suburban voters, specifically on issues like taxes and public safety.
Before being elected to Congress in 2012, Davis worked as Executive Director of the Illinois Republican Party and spent 16 years on the staff of former Congressman John Shimkus.
When reached Monday, Shimkus called the prospect of a Davis candidacy “awesome.”
“He has proven himself to be a great Member of Congress,” said Shimkus. “He’s risen quickly. He’s articulate. He’s conservative, but he can also appeal to more moderates because of his district encompassing the U-of-I, the city of Springfield, and down here [in the Metro East.] He’s the full package.”
Davis cannot compete with Pritzker’s wealth, but has been a solid fundraiser since 2012. He has raised more than $16.1 million in his five election cycles, but ended 2020 with about $140,000 on hand in his federal account, which can be transferred to a state account. Republican operatives also tell us a candidate like Davis would “compel” billionaire Ken Griffin to get involved in the race on Davis’ behalf.
Davis did not return a call from The Illinoize Monday. A Davis spokesman referred us to a statement from January which claimed Davis’ future was “at the mercy” of Democratic leaders like Pritzker, and Senate President Don Harmon.
Though, sources close to Davis told The Illinoize it would likely be his preference to run for re-election to Congress if the new map is drawn favorably, or even competitively, for him.