For former Transportation Secretary and former local Congressman Ray LaHood (pictured, right), it all started in a classroom.
“My interest in politics was sparked by when I was teaching eighth grade, teaching the Constitution, which eighth-graders needed to pass in order to go on to high school, that sparked my interest in politics,” LaHood told an audience at Southern Illinois University’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
Speaking of learning, LaHood’s son, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (pictured, left) (R-Dunlap), lost a 2008 race for Peoria County state’s attorney.
“I’ve learned much more from losing than ever (from) winning,” the younger LaHood told the same program. “Losing humbles you. It causes you to think about things differently. I went back to practicing law, and. two years later, a state senate seat opened up, and because I had run, and ran a good race, I got appointed to that.”
Ray LaHood in Congress had a national reputation as a conciliator, so bipartisan that he organized congressional retreats and was also then-President Barack Obama’s Republican choice for a Cabinet position. Serving in Congress in the 1990s and 2000s, he may not get far today. Incumbent Darin stakes out positions farther right than what his predecessor would do, but, as Darin said, he and Ray are two politicians of two eras – and the map currently has Darin in a “ruby red” district, much more so than the one his father represented.
Asked about the apparent political divide in the family, Ray said he is very proud of Darin for embarking upon a career of public service, having grown up knowing what the sacrifices are.