By Greg Giroux
Tue Oct 2, 7:46 PM ET

Democratic strategists planning for a takeover bid in Illinois' open 11th Congressional District welcomed the news Tuesday that Debbie Halvorson -- ”the majority leader of the Illinois Senate and one of the best-known Democrats in the mildly Republican-leaning constituency --” is running for the seat held by retiring seven-term Republican Rep. Jerry Weller.

Halvorson's decision to compete in Illinois' 11th District, which takes in exurbs and rural areas south and west of Chicago, underscores the competitive nature of one of a handful of 2008 races that CQPolitics.com has rated as No Clear Favorite. Halvorson's announcement came on the heels of a trip to Washington, D.C., during which she met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and officials of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is overseeing the party's effort in the national 2008 House campaign.

"In Congress, I'll work to bring our troops home from Iraq, and I'll continue my fight for affordable health care and to strengthen our local economy. It is time we put Illinois families first, not D.C. special interests," Halvorson said in a statement.

Halvorson represents a state Senate district that takes in part of Will County, the major population center of the 11th District, and most of Kankakee County, which is wholly in the 11th. The district backed President Bush in 2004 with 53 percent of its votes, though Democrats have done better in other recent elections.

Halvorson, who was first elected in 1996 and most recently re-elected in 2006, had been recruited in past cycles by Democratic officials to challenge Weller.

Halvorson will face a challenger in the Feb. 5 Democratic primary from Jerry Weber, president of Kankakee Community College, who filed a statement of candidacy last month with the Federal Election Commission. Robert Gorman, a real estate appraiser and a former Republican, has said he is also is seeking the Democratic nomination.

Although Republican officials say they plan to strongly defend their hold on the seat, their candidate field is unclear. State Sen. Christine Radogno has been mentioned as a potential Republican candidate; she was the losing Republican nominee for Illinois treasurer in the 2006 election.

Jason King, who describes himself on his campaign Web site as an analyst programmer, was preparing to challenge Weller in a Republican primary.

Jason Wallace is running as a candidate of the left-leaning Green Party.

Weller announced his retirement Sept. 21. His announcement came shortly after media reports that indicated Weller did not fully disclose all of his real estate transactions in Nicaragua, though the congressman attributed his retirement decision to family considerations.

The candidate filing deadline for Illinois' primary --” the earliest congressional primary date ever” -- is looming on Nov. 5.