A retired Winnebago County circuit court judge and a grain farmer from Milan, both Republicans, are running to replace the freshman Democrat in Illinois' 17th Congressional District, which includes Whiteside and Carroll counties.

A Republican businessman and philanthropist from Galesburg who announced plans to try to unseat freshman Democratic U.S. Rep Eric Sorensen is dropping out of the race. Another GOP candidate, however, is waiting in the wings.

An Honor Flight filled mostly with Whiteside County veterans, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.