Marathon Pundit: Kinzinger files petitions to run in Illinois' 16th district

Putnam County, new 16th dist.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a Tea Party freshman, currently represents Illinois' 11th congressional district. But the Democratic gerrymanderers made a mess of the northern end of the Land of Lincoln. So Kinzinger has decided to run in the new 16th district. Don Manzullo, also a Republican, is the district's current congressman.

It's an unfortunate situation--Manzullo is running for reelection.

Earlier today Kinzinger's campaign office issued a statement about filing his petitions for the March GOP primary election.

I'm humbled by the strong, widespread support our campaign has received early on throughout the district. The more than 1,700 signatures represent the hard work and dedication of so many supporters who are committed to changing the way Washington does business.

Over the last twelve months, we have changed the conversation on Capitol Hill from how much to spend to how much to cut. However, like my supporters, I believe there is a lot of work left to be done.

We must have strong, fresh conservative voices in Congress who will vote against the status quo. While voting to repeal government-run health care and blocking threats of a national energy tax and second stimulus are a start, Americans also need independent voices who will vote against the bailouts and against more government spending.

At a time when our national debt exceeds $15 trillion, we must continue to make the bold but necessary budget cuts that will refuel our economy and leave future generations with the same opportunities that many of us have been blessed with. It won't happen overnight, but it certainly does not have to take twenty years, either.