State Sen. Cullerton launches bid for Duckworth House seat

WASHINGTON — State Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, made it official on Monday, announcing his bid for the 8th Congressional District House seat now held by Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who is giving it up for a Senate run.

This sets up a Democratic primary in the northwest suburban district, with Cullerton facing Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has been running for several months, and possibly State Sen. Mike Noland, D-Elgin, who also has been exploring a House bid.

“Congress is a millionaires club. I want to change that by bringing my blue-collar work ethic and common sense solutions to Congress. I know what it is like to wake up, punch a time clock and put in an honest day’s work,” Cullerton said in a statement. “I believe everyone deserves a good job that allows them to get up each day and put in a hard day’s work. I believe that if you work hard every day, you deserve a good wage that provides for your family and the ability to retire with dignity.”

Cullerton, 45, is a former president of the village of Villa Park. He joined the state Senate in 2013 and has spent the last several weeks exploring a House contest.

A member of a well-known political clan, Cullerton is the third cousin once removed to Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago.

Meanwhile, Krishnamoorthi, 41, a Schaumburg resident, last week unveiled several endorsements, from Democratic Illinois Reps. Danny Davis and Dan Lipinski; state Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge; Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas; Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., and Beth Marcin, president of the Greater Palatine Area Democrats.

“These members of Congress know what it takes to serve on Capitol Hill, and I am honored to have their support,” Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.

Krishnamoorthi lost a 2012 Democratic primary bid to Duckworth, who is stepping down to run for the Senate seat now held by Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. He is the president of Sivananthan Labs and Episolar Inc.