Peoria Pundit

Two different sources — who asked to not be named — tell me that’s the rumor going around Peoria. These sources belong to different parties and don’t run in the same circle of friends.

Here’s what one tells me:Â If Shadid does run, the motivation will be political payback and an attempt to relieve boredom.

• He’s mad at Mayor Jim Ardis for endorsing Ernie Russell over Dave Koehler for State Senate back in 2006, and considers it a betrayal.
• He’s bored with retirement and wants to be in the center of the action.
• He’s mad at Ardis for backing Darin LaHood over Kevin Lyons, and Shadid was co-chair of Lyons’ campaign.

One source tells me that a lot of this is ego on Shadid’s part. Shadid is taking too much credit for Ardis winning the mayoral election in 2005. Shadid’s endorsement came after a four-man primary election, instead of before, when it would have done Ardis the most good.

I’m guessing Shadid, a Democrat, also took some grief for endorsing a Republican like Ardis, and might think that this entitles him to expect that Ardis would not back someone Shadid opposed. That’s a little unrealistic, considering they are in two different parties. But then, Shadid places a premium on loyalty.

Another source, while not confirming having heard the Shadid rumor, said it makes sense. He heard that Steve Shearer, who managed Aaron Schock’s successful campaign for Congress, is no longer looking for a candidate to run against Adris (which would have been payback to Ardis for endorsing Jim McConoughey in the primary). The next logical source of opposition is State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons and the Democrats.

And Ardis might not even run for re-election. Ardis has many admirers, but he also has his detractors. He’s not happy with how the council has, of late, become more acrimonious. If friends and allies Bob Manning and Bill Spears decide against running, Ardis probably will not run for re-election.

If Ardis doesn’t run, look for George Jacob to do so. General Parker, husband of city employee/School District 150 member Rachel Parker, is planning a run. He’s supposedly bought street signs already.

I’ll try to have a more complete list of potential Peoria City Council candidates later today.

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Remember these two guys? Dave Koehler and George Shadid are the current and former State Senator from the 42nd District (which includes the 92nd State House district). But you wouldn’t know it from watching the race to replace Aaron Schock.

13 months ago, I went to Limestone High School to attend the announcement that Jehan Gordon — a Limestone High School graduate and member of the Pleasant Hill School District 69 — was running for the 92nd State House district seat held by Schock, who had announced he was instead going to go ofter the Congressional seat now held by by the retiring Ray LaHood.

At that announcement, both Sen. Koehler and Shadid endorsed Gordon. They were very enthusiastic. Also, they had recruited her with the promised to support her in the primary. And, they kept their promise even after Peoria County Board Member Allen Mayer decided to run, a decision made after Schock decided to run for Congress. instead.

That’s why they appeared in this and other advertising for Gordon.

And Gordon defeated Mayer. So why haven’t Shadid or Koehler appeared in any newer, post-primary advertising for Gordon? Rumor has it that Shadid was so ticked off that Gordon didn’t reveal her legal difficulties during the vetting process, he’s since refused to allow his name be used by her campaign.