Justin's Political Corner

Rodney Davis, an aide to Congressman John Shimkus, has been chosen by Republican leaders to be the GOP candidate for congress in the newly redrawn 13th Congressional District.

Davis, of Taylorville, will be the GOP candidate instead of U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Champaign. Johnson won the Republican nomination in the March primary election, but announced shortfly afterward that he would retire and not run in the general election.

That meant a new candidate had to be chosen by the Republican Party chairmen in the 14 counties of the congressional district. The chairmen met Saturday and chose Davis.

The district includes a midsection of Madison County, such as the Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville and Collinsville areas.

Davis was chosen from among four finalists. The three other finalists were:

* Jerry Clarke, who previously served as Johnson’s chief of staff;

* Former Miss America Erika Harold, an attorney and Urbana native;

* Kathy Wassink, of Macoupin County, who owns a business that serves students with special needs. She also is an organizer of a local Tea Party-type group.

Davis serves as projects director for Shimkus, R-Collinsville.