William Enyart, a Belleville attorney who recently stepped down as the adjutant general of the state of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard, today made it official: He wants to become the Democratic nominee in the 12th congressional district.

In a press release sent out to reporters on Tuesday, Enyart announced that he had filled out a questionnaire to become the Democratic nominee in the district that includes portions of the Metro East.

Enyart said in a statement that he is "proud to rise to the challenge before us and heed the call to serve by fighting for good jobs and a responsible way to reduce the deficit to build a strong middle class and protect the Southern Illinois way of life.”

“I believe that the next voice representing us in Washington must share southern Illinois values of hard work, honesty and fairness,” Enyart said. “Too many folks here are worried about making ends meet, and the future of southern Illinois is at stake. We need to make sure that there are good jobs for our families, Medicare for our seniors, and an economy that southern Illinois families can have confidence in.”

Democrats are in the process searching for a new candidate after former St. Clair Regional Superintendent Brad Harriman withdrew from the contest due to medical reasons. Local chairmen of county Democratic parties will choose Harriman’s replacement, a candidate who will square up against Republican nominee Jason Plummer in November.

Friday is the deadline for Democrats interested in the nomination to turn in applications. 

Read the Beacon's earlier story below:

William Enyart, a Belleville attorney who served as the adjutant general of the state of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard, stepped down from his post Thursday. It's a move that could signal his interest in becoming the Democratic nominee for Illinois' 12^th congressional district.

Although Enyart didn’t announce his candidacy for the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, he said he would decide in a few days after consultation with his family. He noted to reporters that "he would not have resigned if I were not prepared to look at it very hard."

Surrounded by several dozen onlookers at the Veterans’ Monument in Belleville, Enyart said he had “mixed feeling about his retirement from the Army National Guard and his resignation as director of the state’s Department of Military Affairs." He said he went through with the step “because the soldiers and airmen of the Illinois National Guard and the citizens of Illinois deserve the undivided attention of their adjutant general.”

“Since my name has surfaced as a possible candidate to be the Democratic nominee for the 12^th congressional district, I have been overwhelmed by encouraging calls and e-mails from folks across southern Illinois,” Enyart said in prepared remarks. “I’m honored and humbled by this outpouring of support. So it’s time for my family and me to take some time together to weigh the question of how to best serve the citizens of this great state.”

Democrats are in the process searching for a new candidate after former St. Clair Regional Superintendent Brad Harriman withdrew from the contest due to medical reasons. Local chairmen of county Democratic parties will choose Harriman’s replacement, a candidate who will square up against Republican nominee Jason Plummer in November.

Many prominent Democrats from the Metro East – including state Rep. Jerry Costello II, St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern and former state Rep. Jay Hoffman – have declined to go through with the process.

Enyart could be a strong candidate against Plummer, an executive at O’Fallon-based R.P. Lumber and the 2010 GOP nominee for lieutenant governor who has received national support for his campaign.

Enyart's military background could be especially attractive in a district that includes Scott Air Force Base, one of the Metro East's biggest employers. Plummer is an intelligence officer in the U.S. Naval Reserves.

Enyart said the rigors of campaigning prompted him to mull things over before making a definitive decision.

“I’m afraid in today’s environment, no matter who runs for this office, they’re going to be (featured in) attack ads from unknown people who don’t have to identify themselves, that don’t have to tell the truth,” Enyart said. “And before you face the prospect of having your family face that sort of thing, it’s a pretty serious decision.”

In a statement provided to the Beacon, Plummer said, "With reportedly more than a dozen individuals expressing their interest in the position, I anticipate the Democrats having an open and transparent procedure to pick their nominee.  I truly hope it rivals the straightforward process used by Republicans in Illinois' 13th District to nominate their candidate. Voters deserve input in the process."

Plummer added, "Once a nominee is chosen, I look forward to having serious, civil discussions with the candidate on the issues that impact the residents of the 12th District."

Indeed, Enyart isn’t the only person who’s stated interest in the nomination. Some media outlets have reported that several political figures from southern Illinois  – including former U.S. Rep. David Phelps, and state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion – are interested.

But Enyart may have an advantage since the vote will be “weighted” based on the number of Democratic ballots cast during the primary in counties that comprise the 12^th District. More populous counties such as St. Clair County, where Enyart resides, has more clout than less populous counties in the district.

St. Clair County cast the most votes in March’s primary. If the county chairman of that county supports Enyart, it could be difficult for candidates from less populous areas of the district to gain headway.

Enyart said that he thinks a Democrat can prevail in what he called a “bellwether district.” But he noted that anybody who gets tapped to run in the district “is facing the prospect of unlimited money” and a “man of unlimited resources,” a reference to Plummer’s personal wealth.

“I’ve made a good salary as a general full-time for the last five years; before that I made a living as a lawyer,” Enyart said. “But I don’t have unlimited resources. I don’t have the resources that the Republican candidate has.”

In a statement, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn thanked Enyart "for his more than 35 years of military service, including the last five years leading the 13,000 men and women of the Illinois National Guard."

"Illinois has the most exemplary National Guard in the United States and has had an exemplary leader," Quinn said.

Quinn's office said that the governor would appoint Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti as the acting adjutant general until a new adjutant general and director of military affairs is selected.