PEORIA -- The Republican who tried to run a primary race against Cong. Aaron Schock in 2012 says he wants to take on Schock again, this time as a Democrat in the general election in 2014.
Darrel Miller, 60, of Danvers, a McLean County farmer, met with Peoria County Democrats on Sept. 19, and said he is running for Congress in the 18th District as a Democrat. Schock, of Peoria, is the Republican incumbent in the 18th District.
Miller, who has no announced Democratic opponents in the primary, hopes his candidacy will stimulate debate about the issues such as the nation's financial situation, which worries him, and farm subsidies.
Schock's supporters challenged Miller's petition signatures in 2012 and he was not able to be on the Republican primary ballot. He lost a Republican primary bid in the 11th district in 2010.
Questioned by Democrats concerned about his stand on issues, Miller said he would never vote to not fund or repeal Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, but it can be improved. "It needs to work as well as it can," he said. It should not fund abortions, he said. He described himself as "pro-life."
He said he is personally opposed to abortion but would not support "a federal amendment" on abortion, to overturn Roe v. Wade.
According to information at the meeting, there likely won't be any races in the Democratic primary. No challengers have appeared to run against announced candidates so far.
Candidates are soliciting petition signatures to get on the primary ballot. Their petitions must be turned in by Dec. 2.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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