The Obama-Biden transition team announced today that President-elect Barack Obama will resign from his Senate seat effective Sunday, Nov. 16.
Obama released the following statement:
“It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate. In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who’ve taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children’s future. It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation’s next President.”
Illinois’ embattled Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich is tasked with appointing Obama’s successor. ABC News reports an up-to-date list of likely candidates:
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr (D-IL)
Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth
Illinois State Sen. President Emil Jones
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Attorney General Lisa Madigan
Lieutenant Gov. Pat Quinn
According to ABC, Blagojevich intends to fill the seat by the end of the year.
