By DOUG WILSON

Herald-Whig Senior Writer

Colleen Callahan said she wants to see Congress focus on preserving some of the most important programs for families, retirees and veterans.

Callahan, a Democrat from Kickapoo, is running for the congressional seat now held by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria. She made campaign speeches today in Quincy, promising voters that she will support their interests.

"It's time to work together to create change and it's time to refocus on middle class values and needs. Our families fought for Social Security, Medicare and the GI Bill, and now here we are fighting to preserve them," Callahan said.

Callahan, 57, was recently slated as the Democratic nominee for Congress. Former college and NBA basketball coach Dick Versace was the party's choice until he withdrew from the campaign about three months ago for personal reasons.

Callahan has good name recognition in the Peoria area, where she has been seen and heard on television and radio for 35 years. She is the farm news director at WGFA radio and is regularly featured on the RFD network.

She comes from a family with strong ties to the Democrat party. Her late father, Fran Callahan, was chairman of the party in Iroquois County. Her uncle, Gene Callahan, also has a long history of work on behalf of Democratic office holders.

Callahan believes she'll need to raise between $1.5 million and $2 million just to stay competitive in the general election race against state Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria.

Schock, who at age 26 is in his second term in the Illinois House and previously won a seat on the Peoria School Board, has been raising money at a rapid pace. He also spent $850,000 during the primary election, which he won with more than 71 percent of the vote against two fellow Republicans.

Callahan said the economy, health care and the loss of jobs "are intertwined" as the top concern for most Americans.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also is spurring many voters to seek a change, Callahan said.

-- dwilson@whig.com/221-3372