Paul Rumler to challenge Jacobs in primary.

(Note: Broken link below has been fixed)

This has not been a good week for Sen. Jacobs. First tasting his own shoeleather over his Rosa Parks remarks, and now...

Paul Rumler, a Democrat living in Rock Island, announced Friday he will run against state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, in the March 2006 primary.

Mr. Rumler, who was born and raised in Moline, said he wants to be an active leader for the 36th Senate District and make the region a better place to live, work and raise a family.

"I look forward to providing the Illinois Quad-Cities area residents with a clear choice (of whom) they want to elect as their next state senator," Mr. Rumler said in a press release.

Mr. Rumler will talk about his candidacy at a press conference Monday at 11 a.m. on Ben Butterworth Parkway across the street from Western Illinois University Quad-Cities Campus on River Drive in Moline.

Mr. Rumler, a Moline High School graduate, attended Black Hawk College, earned an associate degree and received Distinguished Academic All-American Honors. He also graduated summa cum laude from Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science in 2001.

After college, Mr. Rumler worked for Massachusetts state Democratic Sen. Dianne Wilkerson as her legislative aide and later her legislative director. Last year, he worked for U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn. He recently worked for U.S. Rep. Steny Hower, D-Md., who serves as U.S. House Democratic Whip.

"I will apply my active leadership style to help increase local jobs, promote strong economic development and improve our region's quality of life," Mr. Rumler said. "In order to accomplish these goals, it is necessary to elect new leadership. I think we can do better."

Mr. Rumler said he moved back home to serve Illinois residents and made the decision to run for office on his own.

It's a whole new ballgame.

While many people will likely respond "Paul who?" to this news, Rumler has an impressive resume on paper, summa cum laude, and work with three congress-critters, including House whip Steny Hower.

A quick Google search revealed these remarks in the congressional record by Rep. Gordon upon Rumler leaving his staff. (click on link on #3, previous link was broken) He was also President of the Economics Club during college.

Rumler brings a lot to the table. We'll likely find out more about him in the weeks to come. I hope he'll see fit to participate here.

If anyone has any further background on Rumler beyond these stats, please share them.

Note: Regular readers were alerted to a possible primary challenger several days ago by alert commenter MaybeSomeday.