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Gill Ready For Independent Congressional Bid

David Gill

David Gill's fourth bid for Congress almost didn't happen. The Bloomington emergency room physician had turned in more than 11,600 petition signatures to the Illinois Board of Elections to run as an independent in Illinois' winding 13th district.

After checking for validity and a challenge from an opponent's campaign, the board ruled Gill didn't meet the minimum signature requirement. He filed suit, and last week a federal judge ruled he could remain on the ballot.

"Frankly, I think it's a no-brainer that we succeed with this case," Gill said during an appearance on GLT's Sound Ideas. " The Illinois Attorney General's office has appealed the preliminary injunction. Gill said that's a waste of taxpayers' money.

"One of the reasons they were arguing that she (Federal Judge Sue Myerscough) shouldn't grant the injunction was that deadlines were approaching. Well, here they are asking for more time in a case that they ultimately cannot win," said Gill."

Gill said he's confident his third-party bid can be successful, noting that he narrowly lost the 2012 election to now incumbent Republican Rodney Davis by just over 1,000 votes. Gill ironically blamed that loss on an independent candidate Gill said had nearly identical stances on most major issues.

Gill also said he thinks he can get support from TEA party voters because he's against raising taxes, and in favor of Second Amendment rights.

Willis is a Bloomington, IL, native. During his senior year at Bloomington High School, he finished third in the "Radio Speaking" division of the state speech contest, the only year he competed.