The Coeur d’Alene Pressreports that Post Falls, Idaho, businessman Richard Phenneger, 71, a retired Air Force and airline pilot, “wants to restore ethics and accountability to the U.S. Senate. Which is why at 71 years of age, he’s . . . seeking the seat currently held by Republican Larry Craig,” who is retiring. “Phenneger commissioned a survey by Robinson Research, a Spokane polling company, to test the political climate in North Idaho. He presented a thick data file that shows only 21 percent of Idahoans are happy with Senate candidates Jim Risch and Larry LaRocco. The poll surveyed 400 Idaho residents between Nov. 26 and Dec. 12.” Also running for the open seat are Republicans Rex Rammell, Scott Syme and Ken Marmon.

According to theBloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph, “area Democrats are working to find a candidate to try to run for U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood’s seat in Congress, even though they can’t make any official decisions for a month,” when Democratic county leaders in the 18th Congressional District will choose a replacement for “former college and professional basketball coach Dick Versace, who dropped his Democratic bid last month.” Three Republicans are already in the race to succeed LaHood: economic developer Jim McConoughey, former Peoria City Councilman John Morris and state Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria. “The seat has been held by a Republican for decades.”