Marron Aide to Drop Out of House Race
Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) aide Marguerite Bailey (center) is expected to drop out of the race to replace Marron by Monday.
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It appears there won’t be a primary for outgoing Rep. Mike Marron’s (R-Fithian) seat after all.
Marguerite Bailey, Marron’s Legislative Aide who has been circulating petitions, told The Illinoize she will not file for the seat on Monday and won’t seek the appointment when Marron resigns next month.
“The most important thing to me is keeping the party together so we can hold the seat,” Bailey said Thursday night. “I don’t think a primary is in the best interest of the district.”
That leaves Republicans with Brandun Schweizer, a former Marine recruiter, Danville city employee, and brother-in-law of Danville’s Mayor as the likely only Republican in the race.
We were told House Republicans were going to stay neutral in the race, and that is what was apparently communicated with Bailey. But, at some point, we’re told, the House GOP campaign arm decided to get behind Schweizer and encouraged Bailey not to run.
The House Republican Organization did not respond Thursday night.
Schweizer is likely to get the appointment when Marron resigns to lead the local economics development group.
Whoever the nominee is, they face a difficult challenge in keeping GOP hands. Democrats are high on farmer and union electrician Jarrett Clem, who is expected to file petitions Monday.
There appears to be a “unity” style news conference scheduled for Monday morning in Danville.
