Manzullo seeks bid for ninth term in Congress

U.S. Rep. Donald Manzullo announced Tuesday he will seek a ninth term in Congress, saying he has much work left to do in bringing transportation money and manufacturing jobs back to McHenry County.

Manzullo, a Republican from Egan, will file petitions this month to put his name on the February primary ballot, where he is expected to run unopposed for the GOP nomination.

"We have several things left to accomplish," the 63-year-old legislator said. "One is to make sure the road money I've brought back from Washington gets spent to relieve traffic in McHenry County."

Since 1992 Manzullo has represented Illinois' 16th Congressional District, which includes most of McHenry County as well as Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson and all or parts of five other counties in north central Illinois.

A longtime booster of small-business causes, Manzullo said a ninth term would allow him to push for an extension of President Bush's tax cuts that are due to expire in two years and strengthen the area's manufacturing economy.

In the general election he is mostly likely to face Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud, who currently is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination to the 16th District seat. Abboud, a 50-year-old nuclear physicist, has been critical of Manzullo, particularly over his stand on the Iraq War.

While Abboud endorses a quick pullout, Manzullo said Tuesday he supports a much more gradual exit strategy.

"Everyone wants to get out," Manzullo said. "The issue is how do we get the troops out consistent with their safety and consistent with stabilizing the Iraqi government."

While many are predicting a tough 2008 election for the Republicans, Manzullo remains strong in his district. In 2006 he defeated Democratic challenger Richard Auman by a 2-to-1 margin in what was otherwise a bad year for his party.