Open seat in Congress brings Illinois Dems 'out of the woodwork': Who all is running?

ROCKFORD — The list of Democrats who want to succeed U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, continues to swell in the new 17th Congressional District.

Incumbents have historically clung to power once elected, said Rockford University political Science and Economics Professor Robert Evans. When an incumbent is no longer in the running, it is not surprising for a crowded field of strong candidates to emerge.

Bustos is retiring after winning the seat in five consecutive elections. Now is the time to seize the opportunity and run for Congress in what Evans called a newly redrawn district expected to lean Democratic.

US Rep. Cheri Bustos: No ‘fear factor' in retiring undefeated from Congress

"We forget because we don't have them that often in Illinois — open seats bring challengers out of the woodwork because it's your one chance not to have an incumbent," Evans said. "When you get elected, your first re-election, the incumbent rate is a little lower, but after that first re-election, the incumbency success rate in the House is 80-90%."

The six candidates indicating that they will run would make it the most crowded race of any for the 17th District in at least a decade.

Candidates won't become official until formal paperwork is filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections this spring for the June 28 primary election.

Here is a look at the field of announced Democratic candidates:

Jonathan Logemann

The Rockford alderman and self-described citizen soldier, is an Auburn High School teacher who serves as a captain in the U.S. Army National Guard and was deployed for a year in Afghanistan.

Logemann, 35, defeated a Republican challenger to win a second term as Rockford 2nd Ward alderman in April not long after returning from a tour of duty.

A business and economics teacher, Logemann previously worked in Chicago Public Schools. He lives in Rockford with his wife Sarah, who is also a school teacher, and their two daughters.

"I know the challenges hard-working Illinois families are facing – because Sarah and I live it every day," Logemann said in a news release. "I’m running for Congress because we need less career politicians in Washington and more people who understand the struggle, firsthand."

More on Logemann: Rockford Ald. Jonathan Logemann announces run for Congress

Spence Morris

The general manager of the Illinois Central Royals Arena Football team who works for Chevy dealership in Galesburg, Spence Morris of Canton, has signaled he is getting into the race.

Morris, 26, has a degree in sports management from the California University of Pennsylvania and has studied political science.

Morris plans to announce his candidacy soon.

Angela Normoyle

A Rock Island County Board member who teaches communications at Augustana College and grew up in Roscoe, Angie Normoyle says she is running for Congress to help more people fulfill the American dream.

“When I finished college, I was sure that with hard work, I could get a good job, buy a home, and eventually raise a family in my community," Normoyle said in a news release. "But today, many of my students tell me that those dreams are out of reach."

Normoyle, 55, of Moline, served on the Moline-Coal Valley School Board from 2007 to 2011. Married to husband Dr. Don Normoyle, the couple have three grown children.

Eric Sorensen

Rockford native, Boylan Catholic High School graduate and former 13-WREX meteorologist Eric Sorensen told the Rockford Register Star that he is running for Congress to serve as "a trusted voice in my community."

Sorensen, 45, worked for 13-WREX for more than a decade until 2014 when he departed the station for WQAD-TV in the Quad Cities. Sorensen said in an interview last month that he hopes his science background is a benefit in Congress.

"It has always frustrated me that there aren’t people talking about climate in Washington who have a background in science,” Sorensen said. “And I ask myself ‘Why is that?’ Because it’s not just about being passionate about the environment, we need leaders who have science knowledge to back up that communication.”

More Sorensen: Former Rockford, Quad Cities TV meteorologist Eric Sorensen launches congressional bid

Litesa Wallace

Former state representative Litesa Wallace, 43, said she wants to be elected to fight for a "living wage, making sure that we have affordable childcare that people have access to and affordable great healthcare."

Wallace was elected to three terms in the Illinois General Assembly where she represented the Rockford-based 67th District. She left the state legislature to run for lieutenant governor.

Wallace said while in office she voted for measures to reduce violence, strengthen the economy, expand affordable childcare and mental health care access, and extend the River's Edge Historic Tax Credit to help redevelop areas of Peoria and Rockford.

More on Wallace: Rockford resident, former State Rep. Litesa Wallace announces candidacy for Congress

Marsha Williams

New Illinois Congressional maps mean Marsha Williams finds herself immersed in a new district.

A resident of Channahon, Williams had initially announced her candidacy in the 16th Congressional District intending to mount a challenge to turn the traditionally red district to blue. Now, she has announced she is joining the race to succeed Bustos.

"I originally ran to keep an anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-climate, anti-worker, anti-voting rights voice out of Congress," Williams wrote in a Facebook post. "I originally ran to make government work for the working people again. That is still the mission, and that mission is in the IL-17."

Williams holds a bachelor's degree from Purdue Global University in legal studies and works as an admissions advisor at 160 Driving Academy in Bensenville. She lives in Channahon with her partner and two children.

Jeff Kolkey: jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Who is running for Bustos' seat? Eric Sorensen, Marsha Williams, more