Ill. GOP Network live blogging the 11th District debate

When ethically-challenged Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Morris) announced he would not run for reelection, it looked like an easy pick-up for the Democrats, especially after the winner of the Republican Primary dropped out of the general election race not even two weeks after his victory. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent more money, according to the Illinois Republican Party, than against any other GOP nominee in the nation.

However the Republican replacement, businessman Marty Ozinga, has proved to be a strong candidate, and his Democratic opponent, State Senator Debbie Halverson, who once looked like a shoe-in, is being pulled down by her close ties to State Senate President Emil Jones and Governor Rod Blagojevich. Ozinga has closed the gap in the polls, and the race is now referred to as a dead heat.

Not all is well in Obamaland for the Democrats.

A debate is taking place right now between Halvorson and Ozinga, and my friend Mark W. Johnson is live-blogging from scene in Normal. It concludes around 8pm.

Click here to join in.

Technorati tags: Election Democrats Politics Ozinga Halvorson Blagojevich Emil Jones