Blunt: Blago Held Saturday Election To Boost Dems

In a suprising special election in Illinois this weekend, House Democrats won a seat being vacated by former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

Some Republican officials have been quoted calling it "a disaster." Others worry it could be a sign of worse things to come this fall.

But CQ Politics reports that Rep. Roy Blunt said a move to hold the election on Saturday was designed to hurt the Republican candidate.

CQ reports: "He noted that the election, scheduled by Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, marked the first time in Illinois that a congressional election had been held on a Saturday. Blunt said he was sure Blagojevich’s move was designed to boost Democratic turnout. “The governor didn’t think it would be helpful to us,’’ he said."


Blunt added that the G.O.P. is already focused on regaining the seat in November, when the Democrat will be more of a known quantity.

“If it’s their guy running for re-election his voting record won’t help him in the election,’’ the GOP whip told reporters.