Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson will run again for the open seat in Illinois newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District

Chicago Sun-Times, BY LAURA WASHINGTON [email protected]

In national politics, 2012 was the Year of the Woman — on steroids. This January, the 113th Congress will kick off with the largest assemblage of women in history.

Ladies, put on your high heels and kick it up a notch in Illinois 2nd Congressional District. It’s time for our deep reservoir of female talent to step in and sweep up the messes the men have left behind.

For more than two decades, the male sex has brought disappointment, shame and scandal to an already struggling district.

Last month U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned under investigation. He’s scouting out a plea deal. His predecessor, Mel Reynolds, quit after being convicted of sexual misconduct, child pornography and obstruction of justice. Reynolds replaced Gus Savage, who had been accused of making improper sexual advances to a Peace Corps volunteer.

All the candidates in this Democratic stronghold will likely agree on the three issues voters care about most: jobs, jobs and jobs.

Women matter. Women run the families, pay the bills and break up the fights. Women are negotiators, not obfuscators. In the 2nd District, they head many of the households struggling with pernicious unemployment, substandard housing and rampant crime.