Press release (via email):
President-elect Obama Resigning From The Senate: Effective Sunday
Below is a statement from President-elect Barack Obama
“It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate. In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who’ve taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children’s future. It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation’s next President,” said President-elect Barack Obama.
The Senate will be poorer for it. No word yet on his replacement. Here’s Bloomberg’s coverage.
Update [2008-11-13 17:45:54 by Steven D]: Some possible replacements for Obama’s seat:
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr (D-IL)
Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth
Illinois State Sen. President Emil Jones
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Attorney General Lisa Madigan
Lieutenant Gov. Pat Quinn
Chris Cillizza of WaPo weighs in with his pundtry thoughts and a few different names.
Personal opinion: I’d be very happy with Tammy Duckworth. She’s a wounded war hero, a former candidate, a woman and a minority. I think her appeal is broad based and I believe she would easily keep the seat when it comes up for re-election in 2010. Jesse Jackson Jr. strikes me as someone who has both positives and negatives associated with his family connection, though I wouldn’t be disappointed if he is selected. I know nothing about the rest of the candidates.
