Race to Replace Burris Already Under Way

Senator collected only $845 in first quarter

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris says he hasn’t decided if he’ll run for election to his Senate seat in February 2010, but an aide says he has begun fundraising efforts, the Chicago Tribune reports. The “very aggressive” push to raise money “as quickly as possible” can’t come soon enough: Burris took in only $845 in contributions for the first quarter, while racking up $111,032 in debts from unpaid consultant fees. More»

Former Blago aide says Burris contacted him repeatedly about appointment

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris’s effort to get into the Senate looks more elaborate every day. John Filan, a former aide to Rod Blagojevich, now says he got a call from Burris some time in the fall, expressing interest in a Senate appointment, the Chicago Tribune reports. Burris reiterated his interest, and asked Filan to “put in a good word for me,” in a Dec. 16 meeting. More»

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris was sworn in and seated in the Senate today as the junior senator from Illinois. Democrats had been loath to accept an appointee of Rod Blagojevich's, but the continued hubbub around the former Illinois AG was seen as a distraction. And Burris’ heroic attempts to get his credentials in order made his confirmation more palatable, the Hill reports. More»

Obama replacement will be sworn in this week, 'barring objection' from GOP

(NEWSER) - Senate Democrats today accepted Roland Burris as the senator-designate from Illinois, and he will likely be seated later this week, the Chicago Tribune reports. “Barring objections from Senate Republicans,” said a statement from Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, “we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in.” Senate lawyers looked over the case and decided that Burris’ disputed credentials were satisfactory. More»

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich announced today that former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris will fill Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat, the Chicago Tribune reports. Blagojevich said Burris was a man of "unquestioned integrity" and asked that people not allow "the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man." Meanwhile, Senate Democrats released a statement reiterating Harry Reid’s warning that no Blagojevich pick would be seated. More»