By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer 

Nov. 17, 2008 – Illinois Rep. Danny Davis told me this weekend he’s interested in the Senate seat now left open by President-Elect Barack Obama.  “There are number of people being vetted by the governor, I’m one of them,” he told me.

 On Friday, Obama officially resigned from his seat, which has increased the speculation on who will be selected to serve and ratcheting up speculation on who’ll get the nod.

Davis has represented the 7th congressional district in Chicago since 1996.  And like his fellow Black colleagues from Illinois – Rep. Bobby Rush (D) and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) – he signed on early as a staunch supporter of Obama’s presidential bid.  

Jackson, who served as co-chair of the Obama campaign, has been mentioned as a possible candidate to fill Obama’s seat.   But today, Davis, 67, will be added to list of those voicing his interest in the position.  

Chicago City Alderman Emma Mitts is bringing lawmakers together to boost support for his appointment today during a scheduled news conference.  Predominately Westside elected official with be joined by city and state officeholders.  The roughly 20 folks on hand hope their message reaches the right ears:  Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), who will make the appointment in the coming weeks. 

Only five African American’s have served in the U.S. Senate, and only three have been elected. Davis said that alone makes it a “pretty unique place to be.  It would be very hard not be interested,” Davis admitted. 

Sen. Dick Durbin, told The Chicago Tribune he would like to meet with Blagojevich to discuss his short list of potential successors.  “I really hope that the governor will be picking someone who can serve the state rather than [be] the caretaker or someone who is, you know, trying to put some last line on their résumé,” said Durbin, a Democrat and the state’s senior senator. “I don’t want to see that happen. I’d like to see him pick someone who can really help me and help our state.”

Blagojevich hasn’t given any indication who he’ll select,  but others on the list with Jackson and Davis include: retiring Illinois Senate President Emil Jones; close friend of the governor, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Chicago; Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran whom Blagojevich named to head the state Veterans’ Affairs;  Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.-D) of Evanston; and two potential Democratic challengers to a Blagojevich re-election bid: Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan and state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

It’s uncertain when the appointment will be made, but Davis told me he thinks the governor will make an announcement before the newly elected members of Congress are sworn in in January.

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