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Considering House Bid, Duckworth Resigns Post

Former Illinois Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth (D) has resigned her post as a Veterans Affairs assistant secretary, the Chicago Sun Times reported Monday.

Duckworth is considering a second House bid, this time in the newly drawn 8th district, and her resignation only fuels speculation that she’s close to announcing a formal campaign.

Duckworth came close to defeating Rep. Peter Roskam (R) in the open-seat race in 2006, but she lost by less than 3 points as Democrats won dozens of seats across the rest of the country. Her candidacy garnered national attention in no small part because she is a veteran of the Iraq War, where she lost both of her legs.

The new 8th includes territory that is much more favorable for Democrats. Former Deputy Illinois Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) has already announced he will run for the seat.

Gov. Pat Quinn (D) is expected to sign the map into law in the next couple of weeks, although Republicans have already threatened to challenge it in court.

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