3 Democrats Vying To Replace James Meeks In State Senate

CHICAGO (CBS) -- One of the hottest races for the state legislature is the contest to replace south suburban state Sen. James Meeks, a Democrat who is not seeking re-election.

The three-way Democratic primary includes local football hero Napoleon Harris. The others are South Holland Deputy Administrator Patricia Mahon and Donna Miller, who works in the corporate world.

CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports.

Harris grew up in impoverished Dixmoor and played seven seasons in the NFL. He's shifted now from the football wars to the political wars, with the goal of winning a seat in Springfield.

The 32-year-old worked the crowd at a Dixmoor restaurant as intensely as he once worked the gridiron.

"Being a native son of the district, born and raised in Dixmoor -- who better to go down and advocate for the rights of the whole entire 15th district?" Harris says.

Harris started at northwestern and in 2001 was drafted number one by the Oakland Raiders. Now, he's a businessman, the owner of two south suburban pizza restaurants.

"I've employed people. I'm the only candidate that has employed people in this race," Harris says.

But rival candidate Miller says she knows how to get people jobs from her corporate experience in health care.

"I know what it takes to develop a quality training program that helps people be focused on what the skills are to get a job and keep a job," Miller says.

Mahon, meanwhile, believes her long experience in village government is invaluable.

"I feel like I've been training for this position for the past 10 years," she says.

But Harris has the money, the charisma, and a compelling personal saga.

Harris tells CBS 2 he's putting $200,000 of his own money into the campaign.

Mahon is endorsed by nine suburban mayors.

Miller is backed by a host of labor unions and three suburban mayors.