The race for the 14th congressional district appears to be heating up with a Democrat throwing his hat in the ring and two GOP congressmen poised to run against one another. Former McHenry alderman Frank McClatchey has announced that he is running for the Democratic nomination in the 14th congressional district race.

McClatchey, a former small business owner, says jobs are a top priority for him as he runs for office.

"Owning my own small business for three years made me more aware of what is needed to help foster and create a solid small business base," McClatchey said in an announcement for his candidacy. "We must start manufacturing things here in America again. Anything factory-made overseas should be taxed accordingly, and we should implement tax credits for businesses to hire new employees."

McClatchey has also worked as a small business coordinator for the state office of the U.S. Senate and as as consumer advocate for the Illinois Attorney General's Chicago office. McClatchey slammed U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-8) several times in his announcement, calling the congressman, who has been drawn into the 14th district in the remap, a "Tea Party head" who only brings a "no" vote to Washington.

"Americans are sick of the childish behavior in D.C., and we need to work on this together, not with a 'gotcha' mentality," McClatchey said. "I want to represent all people of the 14th. Not just be a mouthpiece for an element bent on creating political gridlock, an element that doesn't think of what the American people need and want. Walsh is a 'no' guy, and while I never have shied away from saying 'no' to my own party when it was necessary, now is the time to work together for the good of our shared and great country. It's not their country, or mine, it's our country, and it's time to work on solving the real problems."

Meanwhile, the Courier-News is reporting that U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren also intends on running for the 14th district seat in which he currently sits. Hultgren says he will run regardless of whether Walsh decides to run. When asked whether he would identify himself as a Tea Partyer, like Walsh, Hultgren was reluctant to do so; though he did admit to agreeing with many of their philosophies.

"I would prefer to be called a conservative, someone who represents the people," Hultgren told the paper. "I see myself as supported by the tea party, but it’s broader than that."

Hultgren says will move his residence to a new location, if necessary, in order to run in the 14th district. The congressman estimates that he will have already represented 60 percent of the new district under the remap during his time in office.

"We’ll see what Joe ends up deciding to do," Hultgren told the Courier-News. "The district is good for me."