Brad Harriman Drops Out of 12th Dist. Race for Congress

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Brad Harriman, the Democrat nominee for Congressman Jerry Costello's seat in the 12th District, dropped out of the race Tuesday citing a longstanding neurological condition that will require surgery.

The district covers parts of Madison County, and all of Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Monroe, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, St. Clair, Union and Williamson counties.

Democratic chairmen from these counties will have to caucus in the coming days and identify a replacement candidate. The Democrat chair in Perry County is Nick Dolce who took over that job after Democrat Gene Gross was appointed associate judge in the 20th judicial circuit.

Names already being talked about include 116th District Rep. Jerry Costello II, who has held that seat since July 2011 and Rep. John Bradley of Marion.

Harriman was in Du Quoin only last Thursday during a campaign swing across Southern Illinois. He said then that he was looking forward to the upcoming campaign, making no reference to the possibility of dropping out.

His thinking in the interview was clear: "Congress is so polarized," he said of the congressmen and women who won't even extend a handshake across the aisle.

It's a disgrace.

"We're not going to tax our way out of debt, nor cut our way out of debt," he said. He said Washington and the American people share the blame equally for our economic problems and that there's no easy way back. "I didn't grow up with a lot and try to buy American and pay cash for what I buy."

Harriman said the decision came after a discussion with his doctor. "Today, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I am ending my campaign after consultation with my doctor. I know in my heart that this decision is in the best interest of the voters of Southern Illinois who deserve a candidate that can withstand the pace that this race will require," Harriman said. He adds, "My condition has noticeably worsened over the course of the campaign to the point that if I do not address it with surgery, I am facing irreparable damage. While it is non-life threatening, I need to address it now."

While not being specific, Harriman said he has lived with a neurological condition without limitation or noticeable chane since 2010 though he began noticing worsening symptoms in May and underwent testing to determine whether his condition had worsened. His physician advised of long term and permanent injury if the condition is left untreated and allowed to worsen over the course of the campaign.

Harriman's Republican opponent in the race is lumber heir Jason Plummer. The Republican leadership in the Metro East area have said for weeks they felt something was wrong since Harriman has not been very engaging in the campaign. Plummer released a statement Tuesday stating: "My thoughts and prayers go out to Brad and his family as his family deals with his medical condition. He had a distinguished career as an educator and I wish him the best."