With the announced retirement of US Congressman Tim Johnson, Illinois GOP leaders are trying to narrow down someone to take the place of Rep. Johnson on the November ballot.

Many leaders and current legislators have come forward expressing interest in the position. One possible candidate is Illinois State Representative Chapin Rose. Rep. Rose says while it is an honor to be considered for the position, his answer was an easy one to make.

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Rose was recently elected as the Republican candidate for the Illinois Senate. As he continues to work towards a seat in the Illinois Senate, Rose says his two focuses are and will be balancing the budget and creating jobs in Illinois.

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Rep. Rose was nominated as the Republican candidate for the Senate. He defeated Republican Tom Pliura March 20. To this point no Democrat for the Senate seat has been announced. Rose is encouraged because the district is predominantly Republican.