County Official Bids for Davis' Illinois Seat

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Danny K. Davis, the seven-term Democratic representative of Illinois' 7th Congressional District, appears likely to run in 2010 for a key local office. And other Democrats in his Chicago-based party stronghold are starting to take that intention seriously by moving toward entering what likely would be a crowded February primary contest.

Darlena Williams-Burnett -- chief deputy recorder of deeds for Cook County and a member of the party's state central committee -- is the first candidate to file paperwork to launch a campaign and start raising money for the 7th District seat.

The Federal Election Commission this week processed a statement of organization for Williams-Burnett, who is married to Walter Burnett Jr., a Chicago alderman.

And Williams-Burnett undoubtedly won't be the last entry if Davis does leave the House seat open.

There is substantial interest among prospective Democratic candidates in Illinois' 7th, a black-majority, overwhelmingly Democratic district that takes in Chicago's West Side. The Democratic primary on Feb. 2 almost certainly will determine Davis' successor.

Davis is seriously exploring a challenge to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, who has taken serious flak for implementing a tax increase and for alleged ethical lapses.

CQ Politics rates the 7th District race as Safe Democratic.

To see how alll of the 2010 House races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.

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