* Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin is in Cleveland mainly to raise money…
Republican Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin says he is not in Cleveland to attend the Republican National Convention. Instead, he’s here to raise money–gobs of it–with the goal of pouring it into contested House races and chipping away at House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Democratic supermajority. […]
Durkin says that Trump’s name at the top of the ticket could help down-ballot Republicans with their races for the state House, especially in rural areas of Illinois.
“There’s areas where Donald Trump is very strong. Regions like Southern Illinois, the collar counties. That’s going to help our candidates. We have a lot of races we’re investing in downstate and Central Illinois. The suburbs will be a bit of a challenge though. That’s where Donald Trump is having a tough time connecting with Republican voters,” Durkin said.
Trump indeed could be a drag on the Republican ticket in urban and suburban areas of the state, and in statewide races. Illinois has voted for the Democratic candidate for president in every election since 1992. With this in mind, Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has rejected Trump and decided to stay away from the Republican National Convention in order to fortify his image as an independent moderate. […]
Durkin says that if Republicans can pick up a handful of seats and deny Madigan a supermajority, it might force the speaker to the table to accept more of Rauner’s “turnaround” agenda in exchange for a long-term budget agreement. Then again, it could embolden the speaker to double down and try and help defeat Rauner for re-election in 2018.
* Durkin did, however, attend the convention yesterday and was present for the roll call…
Durkin was on floor of the convention arena as the roll call of delegates continued. Trump supporters were cheering around him. Durkin says he welcomes Trump supporters, wants the party to expand, he knows that’s necessary to make any political gains.
But Durkin couldn’t commit to backing his party’s nominee.
“I want to get there. I need to hear more,” he said. “This is a very personal decision for me, to vote for a man or woman for President of the United States.”
Durkin did say that Trump has brought new people to the Illinois Republican Party, and he’s hoping they’re as passionate about helping elect Republican state representatives as they are about Trump.
Um, OK. He won’t commit to Trump, but wants Trump voters to commit to his candidates.
* Related…
* Rauner still needs Trump, despite differences
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 8:42 am:
The finest poorly educated legislature money can but
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 8:43 am:
===He won’t commit to Trump, but wants Trump voters to commit to his candidates.===
“Wouldn’t be easier to actually stand for something, be committed to that, and let the ILGOP have a big tent, wide enough that Trump voters and non-Trump voters feel welcomed by Rauner?
Then again, Rauber is indeed a Trump supporter, no question, but won’t talk about it… ”
That fake rationalization is why getting 60 and 30 and recruiting candidates for districts is important.
Let the candidates do the talking, then it won’t matter what the “leaders” say in the micro districts.
Again, “we’re doing it wrong”
I want to be with Leaders Radogno and Durkin…
I want 60 and 30…
There will never be Raunerite or Trump 60 and 30 seats won in Illinois. Durkin, very attune to that, knows it’s true too.
If the Caucuses could break free, they’d be able to help Rauner more than Rauner could imagine. Rauner demands complete surrender. That’s why the Trump thing is such the quandary… Durkin knows conplete surrender to Trump spells doom.
Ugh!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 9:32 am:
Another Republican profile in courage heard from. Durkin wants the Trump voters, but won’t back their presidential pick. That’ll work.
- Mama - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 9:32 am:
” Durkin knows complete surrender to Trump spells doom.”
Why are Illinois Republicans standing behind Trump? Is it because he highjacked the Republican ticket?
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 9:33 am:
Gah! Cookies.
That was me at 9:32.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 9:48 am:
In two years the Democrats have only once overridden a gubernatorial veto over the objections of the Governor, and that required Republican defectors to pass. Merely picking up “a handful of seats” won’t get the Turnaround Agenda 60 votes in the House or 30 in the Senate. They’re funding the most expensive state legislative election in history and only playing for a moral victory.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 10:29 am:
How does he know who the ain’t Trump donors are?
Do they NT on their foreheads? Secret handshake?
How could he need more cash? Did BigBrain cut off alloance?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 10:42 am:
At this point, I don’t get the Hamlet acts from Rauner, Roskam, Durkin.
Trump’s the nominee; are you going to vote for him or not?
All this weasel-word stuff just looks incredibly weak.
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 2:17 pm:
Word. I am going to vote for Trump. One issue voter I am. TPP. Are you in the Hillary camp? I have great disdain for Rauner,but even he has some privacy considerations. Self proclaimed GOP leader notwithstanding.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 3:54 pm:
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 2:17 pm:
I’ll send you the hospitals bills for Trump’s thuggery.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Jul 20, 16 @ 5:18 pm:
Maybe he is hoping for an Eagleton moment.