Lightford, Harmon square off
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Greg Hinz…
The woman who says she’s “close” to having the votes lined up to become president of the Illinois Senate is laying out a detailed agenda, including ethical reforms, professionalizing her party’s election operation and standing up to House Speaker Mike Madigan.
In an interview, Sen. Kim Lightford, D-Maywood, confirmed what at least some Springfield insiders have been rumoring the past couple of days, that she is well on her way to securing the votes she’ll need to succeed John Cullerton, who is retiring in January.
Lightford wouldn’t give me any numbers but allies say she has a solid 14 votes on her side at the moment with another five or six heavily leaning that way. “It’s headed her way,” said one Democratic caucus member, adding that female lawmakers in particular are united in a desire to elect the Senate’s first female president ever.
Lightford only will need votes from only 21 of the Senate’s 40 Democrats to get the job—assuming her party unites around her after the campaigning and provides the total of 30 required for the actual election. That’s no sure thing, says Sen. Don Harmon-Oak Park, who along with Chicago colleague Elgie Sims is still running. “She’s far from 30 votes. I think I’m going to win.”
* Fox 32…
“Senate [Democrats are] diverse [and have] always led in tackling difficult problems,” said Harmon. “It is my goal to protect the working families of Illinois and bring sensible ethics reform to our state.”
Lightford, now Senate Majority Leader, promises a progressive agenda.
“John has served for over 40 years and he’s a traditionalist,” said Lightford. “And it’s just time for some different changes to take shape.”
Lightford acknowledges her bid is not quite as dramatic as it would have been a few years ago, now that African-American women already serve as Mayor of Chicago, President of the Cook County Board and Cook County State’s Attorney.
* Wednesday Journal…
“I would love the opportunity to serve as Senate president,” Harmon said. “I ran for the office 11 years ago when John Cullerton was first elected, and I expect that I will be a candidate again this time. I’m just still working my way through talking to a handful of colleagues I haven’t connected with.”
But on Saturday morning, [Democratic Party of Oak Park] volunteers were urged to go to the far South Side of Chicago to gather signatures for the nominating petitions for state Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) to put her on the ballot for the March primary. DPOP volunteers helping Collins get on the ballot could influence Collins to vote for Harmon as Senate president in January.
DPOP volunteers, guided by Harmon, have been sent to help out many Democrats across the state over the years.
“My colleagues recognize my track record and experience in helping others,” Harmon said. “That’s what a good Senate president would do, help 40 Democrats get re-elected. And as we go into redistricting and the 2022 election when all the senators will be on the ballot, that’s a critical skill.”
- Ok - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:42 am:
So, who exactly does Harmon have for votes?
Right now… looks like 14-1
- Norseman - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:46 am:
From a distant view, it appears that Lightford has this thing lined up. Manar, Stean and Munoz as I recall have been noted as supporters. I’m also seeing the point about Madigan reflecting a general dissatisfaction with the Senate caucus having to play second fiddle to Madigan on so many issues. The Senate is a prideful group with a viewpoint that it’s superior to the House.
Her ascension to President and a stronger pushback on Madigan driven agendas will mean the JB will have to assert a stronger role in mediating Dem differences.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:47 am:
Harmon: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:48 am:
== “And it’s just time for some different changes to take shape.”==
This is an interesting statement by Lightford, but not sure what she means by it. Is there more?
- Scott Cross for President - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:49 am:
Smart leadership by Harmon here, and a timely reminder that Harmon is a colleague who delivers.
And Lightford name calling the outgoing Senate President as a “traditionalist” (what’s that ?) who has been in office “40 years” reminds her colleagues they may be explaining, apologizing for and distancing themselves from Lightford if they elect her Senate President.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:50 am:
Female leader of a chamber. History.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 9:53 am:
As anyone who saw the Cullerton ascension can attest, it’s a long game, we have six weeks and Harmon has proven himself within the caucus. I expect a few twists and turns before this game is over.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:00 am:
== That’s what a good Senate president would do, help 40 Democrats get re-elected==
What, exactly, does Harmon contribute to the re-election of 40 dems that Lightford can not? Are south side senators so desperately in need of precinct workers from Oak park? I’m no expert, but “I came in second place last time” isn’t the greatest of arguments for selection - we saw that movie ended with the 2016 US Presidential election At least Lightford might have a chance of convincing Sen Van Pelt to shut down her Ponzi scheme.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:04 am:
It is really unfortunate that Lightford is going to win this in a walk. Her work in education legislation has been to force solutions (that are ineffective) for CPS problems on schools that don’t have CPS issues. When it came to SB 7 and evaluations she passed a paper tiger that did nothing to change the quality of teaching.
I will give her the fact that she has a strong will and that is necessary to get things done. I would like to see her use it more judiciously when it comes to public education.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:05 am:
=== Are south side senators so desperately in need of precinct workers from Oak park? ===
Apparently so.
=== What, exactly, does Harmon contribute to the re-election of 40 dems that Lightford can not? ===
Does she have a campaign apparatus that she can put to use on day 1? I honestly don’t know.
And I don’t have a horse in this race although I thought Manar would have been the strongest candidate due to his experience and willingness to compromise on big issues. I think it is going to be a fascinating 6 weeks.
- Truthiness - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:08 am:
Harmon uses his political organization to help his fellow members get on the ballot year after year. It takes 3,000 or 4,000 signatures in some of the south and west side City districts to get over the 1,000 valid needed (due to low registration rates and difficulty with getting in the right district). Plenty of members wouldn’t have made it on the ballot without his help.
- uh, ok - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:08 am:
I would say that Oak Park is pretty close to DuPage, Will, and Kane counties where they have picked up a large number of swing districts. That is where his support in the past will give him some support today.
- SAP - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:31 am:
==What, exactly, does Harmon contribute to the re-election of 40 dems that Lightford can not?== Besides an army of precinct workers, a large campaign war chest and proven fundraising chops, and one of the sharpest minds under the dome, not much I guess.
- Traditionalist - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:32 am:
I always thought the Senate was the more progressive chamber and they have certainly gotten a lot of progressive measures through. Any insights as to what it means that she is a progressive while Cullerton is a traditionalist?
- Nova - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:41 am:
I think Lightford would be great at the job, but agree that this thing is far from over.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:42 am:
==Oak Park is pretty close to DuPage, Will, and Kane counties==
Maywood is two towns west of Oak Park.
==Are south side senators so desperately in need of precinct workers from Oak park?==
No, but I’m sure Harmon’s Oak Park team thinks their help is desperately needed on the south side.
- Oak Parker - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:48 am:
Will Governor Pritzker weigh in?
While Senator Harmon does have a much larger war chest, individual war chests may not matter in 2020 and 2022 if JB is going to pony up to get his allies re-elected.
- Oak Parker - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:50 am:
Senator Harmon does have an advantage of being a Committeeperson of the very active Oak Park Democratic Organization.
Senator Lightford on the other hand doesn’t have that much of an organization and Clerk Yarbrough is the Proviso Committeeperson.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:51 am:
==And I don’t have a horse in this race ==
With respect, every Illinoisan has a horse in this race although not all may realize it or fully understand it.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:51 am:
=== Will Governor Pritzker weigh in?===
Again, like yesterday…
This is not a move that the Governor should do or should want to do.
I think you asked this yesterday as well. Nothing has changed
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:53 am:
=== Illinoisan has a horse in this race although not all may realize it or fully understand it.===
While not wrong, the SDems control the process until someone decides they can’t get 30 without the SGOP.
That’s what the quibbling is all about.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:56 am:
==Will Governor Pritzker weigh in?==
If he’s smart he won’t
- May Soon Be Required - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:56 am:
It is very early in the game. One would be wise to give this some time to play out. Politics as they say makes strange bedfellows.
- Another Regular Dem - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 11:34 am:
If anyone is more undeserving of the post it is Lightford.
- SaulGoodman - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 1:05 pm:
Pritzker already has weighed in.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 1:09 pm:
=== Pritzker already has weighed in.===
I dunno if any new Senate President wants to be…
“Pritzker’s hand picked Senate President”
We’ll see how this plays out
- Bobby G - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 1:36 pm:
Harmon voted for pension theft.(SB 1, 98th Gen’l Assembly). Lightford voted against. People should remember that.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 1:49 pm:
If she wins this thing, I hope someone makes sure Pate is invited to her swearing in. I’m sure he won’t want to miss seeing the gavel being handed to an African American Female from Chicago.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
== one of the sharpest minds under the dome, not much I guess.==
lol that’s a bit of a stretch, but you’re obviously a fan so whatevs. Nothing personal against Harmon, but with trump on the ballot next year, anyone with a working ticker should be able to re-elect these 40 dems. For the future, though, replacing an old white guy from Chicago with another old white guy from just outside of Chicago seems like a weak move. Would be better for the face of the senate dems going forward to be either Steans, Lightford, Munoz or Manar
- SAP - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 2:24 pm:
==Would be better for the face of the senate dems going forward to be either Steans, Lightford, Munoz or Manar== You didn’t finish your last sentence, but I think the next word you were looking for is “because”.
- Ridgelander - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 2:37 pm:
–replacing an old white guy from Chicago with another old white guy from just outside of Chicago seems like a weak move.–
Lester, Senator Harmon is 52; Senator Lightford is 51. The Senator from Oak Park is a white guy, sure, but hardly an old guy.
- Charlie Brown - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 3:03 pm:
Lightfoot taking a swipe at Cullerton is bizarre.
Manar standing with Lightfoot while she takes a swipe at Cullerton is surreal.
She must be quite confident she has the votes.
But if Harmon is willing to do it with Republican votes, he only needs 11 Democrats.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 3:06 pm:
Lightfoot is the MAYOR.
Lightford is the SENATOR.
Keep up.
- getreal2019 - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 3:38 pm:
Send Harmon can out boots on the ground, this is much more meaningful to a candidate. Lightford has never helped any of her caucus members raise money or collect signatures. She made a lot of false promises to them when campaigning for Chair. Actions speak louder than words.
- getreal2019 - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 3:39 pm:
*Sen Harmon can put boots on the ground
- Always Leary - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 4:20 pm:
“That’s what a good Senate president would do, help 40 Democrats get re-elected”.
Call me naive, but I am not quite sure how it is good for the people legislators are supposed to serve if the focus is merely on elections. I understand this is but one quote, but it smacks of old-school, life-long Illinois politicians whose interest is more self-serving than not.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 4:35 pm:
==Harmon can put boots on the ground==
Isn’t that because Harmon walked into an existing infrastructure set up by Phil Rock? Harmon didn’t create DPOP.
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 4:49 pm:
=== Call me naive, but I am not quite sure how it is good for the people legislators are supposed to serve if the focus is merely on elections. ===
The focus isn’t merely on elections, but it is an important factor for a legislative leader. If you can’t provide electoral assistance to your vulnerable members, you will have a hard time persuading them to take difficult votes. It’s that plain and simple.
- nadia - Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 7:27 pm:
I have no dealings with Senator Lightford, but I do with Senator Harmon; therfore I would hope Senator Lightford is the new Senate President.