Jesse White Leads Charge To Defeat Embattled Rep. Derrick Smith

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is sounding the alarm, concerned that indicted and ousted State Rep. Derrick Smith may win his seat back next month.

Smith, who is facing federal bribery charges, is running for re-election despite being expelled from the House in an overwhelming vote.

If he wins, the Illinois House could not expel him again, and that is why White is worried.

That concern is compounded by the fact that Smith is leading his opponent, Lance Tyson, in the polls for the 10th District seat.

"When a gentleman has been fired from the City of Chicago and fired from the State of Illinois, expelled from the Illinois General Assembly by 100 votes and then he's the only person in 107 years to be expelled from that body," said White. "He should step down."

White once mentored Smith, who is accused of accepting $7,000 in exchange for promising to endorse a day care center's state grant application. While he was expelled, Smith won the Illinois primary and can run for re-election because he has not been convicted.

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