Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said Monday that if Illinois holds a special election for Sen. Roland Burris’s (D) seat, she will be a candidate.
In an interview with The Hill, Schakowsky said she has all the pieces in place to jump into the race immediately if a special election is declared.
{mosads}“If there is a special election, I’m definitely going to run in that,” Schakowsky said.
Schakowsky also said that if the race is held on its regular date in November 2010, she will decide in the next two months whether to run for the seat.
Running in that race would force Schakowsky to yield her House seat.
Illinois state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) shook up the race Monday by forming an exploratory committee, and he is expected to run whether it is a special election or is held in November 2010.
There is significant pressure on Burris to resign amid revelations that he attempted to raise money for Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) during the appointment process to replace President Obama in the Senate.