Silvi Eyes POG Senate Seat

Conservative state delegate the first CNS candidate to announce 2010 senate bid

GARAMOND LAKE, POG--State Delegate Terry Silvi (C-Garamond Lake) has announced he is running for the senate in 2010.

Silvi is running for the seat that will be left open by retiring Sen. Shannon Barbieri (CNS), who will be leaving the senate after serving four terms.

Silvi, a 48-year-old father of three, was elected to the POG state legislature in 1997, first serving in the state Assembly until 2003, when he was elected to the state House of Delegates. In 2007, he was re-elected to that same seat, which encompasses the southwestern suburbs of Lillac City.

Making his announcement at the Royal Crown hotel in Garamond Lake, Mr. Silvi said that he is running because POG "needs a strong conservative that represents our values."

"I want to represent the real people of POG--not lobbyists, not the special interests, not wealthy corporations--but the real people of our state; the hard-working, every-day Province of Grassadellans who make this state the wonderful place it is," Silvi said.

During his announcement, Mr. Silvi did not address his positions on significant issues. Instead, he only used the occasion to talk in general terms about his plans. He also did not address the almost certain likelihood of a competetive primary. So far, no other Conservative candidates have announced their intention to run for the senate in POG. But several congressmen and state lawmakers are eyeing possible runs.

Nine of the state's 10 Conservative representatives in the National Assembly are exploring the idea of running for the party's nomination, though Reps. Bobby Hafen (19th District), Mark Rolen (20th District), and Julie Dennings (7th District) are considered the front-runners. Rep. Nancy Garblake, who was sworn into office on Thursday after winning a special election in the 15th congressional district, is not likely to seek election to the senate.

No Nationalists have announced their candidacy for the open senate seat. However, Rep. Jill Yateri (17th District) and former Lt. Gov. George Mercott are both rumored to be considering a run.