DePauw student decides not to run for House seat

DANVILLE – A 21-year-old Danville man has decided against running for state representative in the 104th House District, which includes most of Vermilion County and much of eastern Champaign County.

Jacob Lane, a student at DePauw University, said Thursday that he will not run for the seat held by retiring state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville. Lane's decision apparently leaves only former Catlin Mayor Chad Hays as a Republican contender in the 104th District. So far there is no Democratic candidate for the seat.

"When I do things, I do put 100 percent of myself into it," Lane said, "and with the primary being February 2, I just wouldn't have the time to devote 100 percent of myself."

Lane said he is going to Japan on a winter term trip for two weeks in January.

"I just would not have had the time to campaign, to hold fundraisers, to go door to door, all the things I'd need to do to win," he said.

Lane said he also had considered running for the Republican nomination for state Senate in the 52nd District, challenging one-term Democrat Mike Frerichs of Champaign.

"But I don't think anyone can beat Mr. Frerichs," he said. "I think he's done a pretty good job. I hate to say it because he's a Democrat, and I disagree with him on a lot of things. But I think he's done a pretty good job."

No Republican candidate has yet filed to run in the 52nd District.

Lane said he "most likely" will support Hays as Black's successor in the Illinois House.

Lane said he plans to go to law school and then run for public office.

"I will be in the political realm in the future," he said. "It's just that now is not my time."

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