* Subscribers were told about this a couple of days ago…
State Sen. Susan Garrett, a reform-oriented North Shore lawmaker, has emerged as a top candidate to become Gov. Quinn’s running mate.
She didn’t cop to the Madigan thing to me, however…
Garrett (D-Lake Forest) told the Sun-Times she was approached about the party’s vacant lieutenant governor slot by Quinn’s chief of staff Jerry Stermer and encouraged to apply for the position by state Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan’s political operation.
More…
The 60-year-old from Lake Forest shares Quinn’s liberal views, and the governor believes she could help articulate his message as the lieutenant governor candidate in what’s already a contentious general election battle, said the sources, who asked not to be named so they don’t pre-empt Quinn. […]
The senator said she would bring an independence to the office, along with her promotion of ethics reforms at the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, clean water issues, health care and job creation. […]
Garrett also has been an outspoken advocate on women’s issues, a demographic in which Quinn suffered some problems in his narrow primary in over Comptroller Dan Hynes for the Democratic governor nomination. A Tribune poll before the primary found Quinn with only a 38 percent job approval rating among female voters.
Republican governor candidate Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington is a conservative who has opposed abortion rights and expanded health coverage for women. Those views are considered a potential liability, particularly among moderate women in the still heavily Republican suburbs.
More…
“He and I are fighters. We share a lot of the same type of get-up-and-go independence,” said Garrett, who is part of Senate President John Cullerton’s leadership team
Thoughts?
LIVE session coverage...
- wordslinger - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 7:49 am:
What’s that you always say about suburban women, Rich? Garrett sure makes a lot more sense than Claypool.
- bored now - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 7:55 am:
i don’t think forrest was that interested. we can all understand why axelrod thought of him, though. the first thought i had, though, was: is julie hamos in garrett’s senate district (and would she get the seat if it was vacant)?
- cassandra - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 7:57 am:
I wonder how the Art Turner advocates would feel about this. And does anybody care who Quinn wants.
I thought it was Madigan making the pick. Quinn’s wants would be way at the bottom of the list, I’d imagine.
Quinn/Garrett and Brady/Plummer would at least be a clear choice. No businesspersons muddling up the Democratic ticket, no occasional wafflers to the left on the Repub one.
- Captain Flume - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 7:57 am:
She may bring some women along to the Governor’s campaign efforts, but I do not think her name on the ticket will cause much excitement among voters, not downstate and not in ethnic blocs. Probably a safe choice but does not add much to balance the ticket, just drives home the Goveror’s “liberalism”. A nice contrast to the Republican “conservatism” on their ticket.
- Illinois voter - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:04 am:
I agree with some of the things Captain Flume has stated, such as she probably will not excite ethnic blocs and downstate voters. But she has an excellent reputation and has been a very good legislator. Has all the good qualities Plummer lacks.
- fedup dem - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:09 am:
This appears to be another case of running a name up the flagpole to see who salutes. While Sen. Garrett is certainly a competent candidate for the office of Lt. Governor, as a Lake County resident (whose State Senate district extends into Cook County) Garrett would provide limited geographic balance to the otherwise all-Cook county ticket at best. You can expect to see a number of similar stories filed over the weekend from the various presentation sites where the State Central Committee will be meeting.
- Conservative Republican - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:09 am:
Yeah, right. Garrett is about as “independent” as Latvia was in 1950.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:19 am:
So now she will support Quinn’s tax increases? Or will the top of the ticket be divided on this issue if she is chosen? She has a bunch of “Town Hall” meetings set for tomorrow. I don’t see her coming out for the tax increases at those meetings without starting a few riots.
I’ll just sit back, buy some popcorn, and be entertained by all this over the next few days! Watching Democrats in action in Illinois is more entertaining than watching my fellow Republicans!
- Old Milwaukee - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:20 am:
I know one constituency that will be thrilled with that appointment. Senate Democrats.
- GA Watcher - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:26 am:
Selecting Senator Garrett to help the Governor with women voters will give the Central Committee the excuse they need not to select Art Turner.
- anon - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:35 am:
Great match, important county, solid repuation, wonderful fundraising potential and finally someone from the collars.
- Boone Logan Square - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:37 am:
Will a Lt. Governor debate be held in the fall? Garrett and Plummer would certainly offer a variety of contrasts.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:39 am:
She is about the best choice I’ve heard yet. Those Lakefront dems need a boost. They try so hard and have gotten slapped around latley by losing Hamos and a few others. She would help the ticket.
- Been There - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:43 am:
I agree with Old Milwaukee. But I would have to seriously rethink my vote come November and I am a slam dunk vote for Dems. Having her be one step away from being governor is scary. I say just stick with Art. He might have the weighted vote sewn up anyway.
- Nearly Normal - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:51 am:
Would have like to have had someone downstate to balance the ticket so to speak to appeal to those of us south of I 80. Garrett might be workable for moderate Repubs who are very leery of Brady/Plummer even though they want the governorship back.
- Illinois voter - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:52 am:
What’s so scary about her?
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:58 am:
==Would have like to have had someone downstate to balance the ticket so to speak to appeal to those of us south of I 80.==
Sen. Koehler would fit that bill. Downstate is where the Dems are most lacking. Plus, he can act as a bodyguard for Quinn, which would help save a little money and provide a role for the LG.
- Nick Adams - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 9:02 am:
Garrett has been an indepent Senator, that’s why the Senate hacks would like to see her go. She stood up to them many times.
She would be a great choice. She is articulate, bright, has money for the campaign, is up to speed on the issues and is a great contrast to Plummer.
- 10th Indy - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 9:06 am:
Nice move. Senator Garret is smart, experienced and a grown-up.
- David Ormsby - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 9:30 am:
If the Dem Central Committee fails to back Turner, then Garrett would be an excellent choice. The contrast to Plummer couldn’t be more stark and flattering.
- Responsa - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 9:33 am:
With that choice the Dems are clearly willng to write off much of downstate and must plan to concentrate their efforts and money in the Chicago metro area. Obviously Sheila didn’t click for them but they couldn’t at least find someone as far downstate as the *south* suburbs to balance the ticket?
- Cousin Ralph - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 9:38 am:
This election will be nationalized in all respects except for Illinois corruption that is seen as primarily a Chicago Dem problem. Obamacare, “Deem and pass”, tax increases, Medicare cuts, Blago on trial, and a black legislator snubbed in the Lt Gov, process; cant say she would be a game-changer in this race. To be fair to Sen Garrett, I dont think the DEMs have a game-changer to put in at Lt. Gov. Brady by 5.
- D.P. Gumby - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 9:53 am:
If one presumes that downstate Dems will stay D and that Af-Am won’t go to Brady, then Brady will take downstate, Quinn the city and the battle will be ‘burb women (& some men). Garrett would be strong ammo for Quinn in collars to keep Brady from gaining a toe-hold and reminding the burbs of his right wing positions. So on paper, a good choice.
- just sayin' - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 9:54 am:
That’s a strong ticket.
If she’s a dog or cat owner, Brady’s toast.
- JoJo - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:02 am:
Or maybe a kitty!
- Robert - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:04 am:
love the sun times explaining that Garrett is part of the Senate dem leadership after her quote claiming to be independent. I don’t see Quinn going this way, as this will smack of an insider dealing - she didn’t apply as the others (Turner, Raja, Simon) were told to a couple weeks ago.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:07 am:
===she didn’t apply===
Do you really still think that matters?
- phocion - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:07 am:
Impressive pick by Quinn. Let’s hope he sticks with this choice - and that the Central Committee makes the right call.
- downstater - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:10 am:
It’s about time we got a woman somewhere in all this. Everything seems to be male, both black and white.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:13 am:
===Everything seems to be male====
Ever heard of Lisa Madigan and Robin Kelly?
- Loop Lady - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:15 am:
Yes! Bright, articulate, knows Springfield, green thinking, a grown up mature woman…sign her up Pat!
- Illinois voter - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:21 am:
Trib article says Garrett is sending in her application today.
- Amalia - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:24 am:
I’m supportive of women as candidates, but I’m not very impressed by Garrett as I don’t see her as executive material.
As for excitement for the ticket, I guess you just have to be
excited that she is a woman cause she is not well known or
dynamic enough to excite with speeches or presence.
The dems have a chance to pick someone great, someone
who can provide leadership and be an addition to the ticket.
If it’s Garrett, it’s just a play for women’s votes but it’s just
kinda thin.
- Levois - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:39 am:
I don’t know whether or not this is a good move or not!
- shore - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:45 am:
My math for the fall says that Mark Kirk’s district is the ballgame for the governors and senate races. It’s the most liberal district of the suburban chicago districts and if the democrats can’t win there it’s lights out. Lake forest used to be very conservative-corinne wood was garrett’s predecessor, but it’s move slightly left.
bears fans will note that the team plays in garrett’s district and the notoriously stingy mccaskey family that owns them also live there. I’ve never known garrett to light up a room-even when she was running against greg kazarian, but this makes sense given the political geography this fall.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:53 am:
=== Quinn/Garrett and Brady/Plummer would at least be a clear choice. No businesspersons muddling up the Democratic ticket, no occasional wafflers to the left on the Repub one. ===
Garrett was a small business owner prior to running for the Illinois House.
She’ll rip her colleague Bill Brady apart and smile while she does it.
The Tribune loves her.
And she can raise money.
I don’t know that I’d call her a “liberal,” socially liberal, fiscally moderate seems more appropriate.
Garrett’s certainly not a wild-eyed liberal, and I think she’s generally known more as a reformer.
- Rayne of Terror - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:55 am:
I got a story on two central IL ABC affiliates this week. WICD Champaign and the SPringfield ABC channel.
- Team Sleep - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:55 am:
I still think Raja is the best choice.
Both tickets are still fairly “diverse”. I don’t think diversity is an issue at this point. Governor Quinn could run with one of his two sons and the Dem ticket would still be “diverse”.
- Robert - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:21 pm:
I wonder how much of her own money she told Quinn she’d commit to the race?
- siriusly - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:29 pm:
As I’ve said here before, Quinn’s best choice would be a State Senator from the suburban or downstate areas who has been in at least one very contested race. She meets that criteria. She would be fine for him. Not the best choice, not the worst, but probably most important - politically palatable for a variety of reasons.
- bored now - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:29 pm:
i agree with responsa, although i would note that both robin kelly and david miller live south of i-80.
D.P. Gumby: seems to me that the battlelines are already set: the governor’s race will be won or lost in will, dupage and lake counties. garrett comes from lake county…
- Louis Howe - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:30 pm:
My democratic friends in Chicagoland continue to stiff downstate in statewide elections. Perhaps it’s because downstate is only 25% of the primary vote and most of the Cook County elections are determined in primaries. However, the 96 downstate counties are 42% of most general election ballots, and Quinn was beaten in those counties 58% to 42%. The current lineup will be a tough sell downstate in what looks to be a very tough off year election for democrats.
- Robert - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:39 pm:
Louis, are you really saying a millionaire environmentalist incumbent legislator from a wealthy Chicago burb won’t do well downstate? huh?
- Wumpus - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:59 pm:
“Lakefront liberal” who was not interested in the position until 5 minutes ago. Pick Art Turner, that is the fair choice.
- Conservative Republican - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 2:00 pm:
…and a liberal urban woman to boot…big seller downstate
- Back-at-ya - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 2:01 pm:
Susan who?
- high fashion - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 2:10 pm:
Pat is going to have to get rid of the old suits if he is going to stand next to Susan..
- Anonymous downstater - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 3:25 pm:
Susan Garrett will be a nightmare for Quinn. She’s not just too “city” she’s too suburban — wealthy suburban. She will not play well in Peoria or anywhere else downstate . There just aren’t too many Lake Forest-like towns down here. The closest thing will be where Plummer lives and even that’s a far cry from the north shore. Further her record on labor issues is far from stellar. Unions are not big fans of hers and that is another area of the vote where Quinn was trounced downstate. There will be a lot of potential downstate Quinn voters staying home if Sen. Garrett is the pick.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Saturday, Mar 20, 10 @ 2:18 am:
===Pat is going to have to get rid of the old suits if he is going to stand next to Susan.. ===
You got that right! Talk about the odd couple. She dresses like Princess Diana; he hardly cares at all about his clothes.
As for the strategy of picking a collar county woman, besides the obvious - while Quinn has been weak with women voters, Brady is even weaker on abortion for the majority of women - the idea is to overwhelm the downstate vote with the Chicago, suburban Cook and collar county vote. which will create an enormous problem for the Republicans.
- The Lantern - Saturday, Mar 20, 10 @ 5:46 pm:
=Lake Forest used to be very conservative-Corinne Wood was Garrett’s predecessor=
Corinne Wood was a conservative?