LaHood’s son won’t run for Congress

Friday, August 31, 2007 10:30 PM CDT

By Associated Press

PEORIA — The son of Congressman Ray LaHood has decided not to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Ray LaHood announced last month that he’ll retire when his term ends in 2009.

Attorney Darin LaHood had been considering a run for his father’s 18th Congressional District seat, but he now says that isn’t the plan.

Instead, the younger LaHood says he’ll run for Peoria County state’s attorney in the next election.

The 39-year-old Peoria Republican says he wants to focus on “tougher prosecution of violent crime” and making the community safer.

Democrat Kevin Lyons has been Peoria County’s top prosecutor for 20 years.