Callis
Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis will not be running for Congress after all.
Callis had been expected to make an official announcement this week about seeking the Democratic nomination for the 12th Congressional District, a seat held by Rep. Jerry Costello, who is retiring next year.
Madison County Circuit Clerk Matt Melucci, who also is the county's Democratic party chairman, told reporters last week that Callis had made the decision to run.
Callis issued a statement late Monday afternoon stating that she would be seeking retention to her circuit court seat.
"After receiving strong encouragement from numerous people that I respect and admire, discussing with my family, and seriously considering it, I have decided not to run for the 12th Congressional District, a seat currently held by a man I admire very much, Representative Jerry Costello," Callis said in the statement.
"I came to the conclusion that at this time, I could not leave a community that I love, employees and colleagues of Madison County Circuit Court that have become like family to me. I consider it an honor to serve the people of the 3rd Judicial Circuit as their Chief Judge, and my immediate plan is to run for retention and hopefully continue to serve the citizens of the 3rd Judicial Circuit to the best of my ability."