From the AP:

Cook County Democrats on Tuesday chose Chicago Alderman Todd Stroger to replace his ailing father on the November ballot for county board president.

The Democrats met Tuesday in Chicago to consider two candidates — Todd Stroger and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis– to fill the spot on the ballot left by retiring Cook County Board President John Stroger, who’s been recovering from the stroke he suffered a week before the March primary.

Both Todd Stroger and Davis had numerous Democrat leaders speak on their behalf during a nearly two-hour meeting of the Cook County Democratic Party’s Central Committee, but members overwhelmingly voted for the younger Stroger.

UPDATE: Tribune:

Stroger and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) were the only two candidates placed in nomination in a stifling, crowded third-floor room at the Hotel Allegro downtown, the longtime meeting place of county Democrats.

Stroger got 77 percent of the weighted vote of Chicago ward and suburban Cook County commissioners. Davis got 23 percent.

Stroger told committeemen of his background as a legislator and an alderman and said he has “a genuine passion for county government” and would not use the position as a “stepping stone” for a higher office.

UPDATE: CBS2:

On Monday, Davis said his plan had been to tell the committeemen something he said they need to hear. Specifically, that their arrogant, back-room maneuvering in recent weeks has hurt the entire ticket.

“It’s going to be difficult to get the kind of turnout that we’re looking for November. And Rod Blagojevich could be in serious difficulty,” Davis said. […]

“Some people say that Todd Stroger is not entitled to his job because of his name,” said Illinois State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie). “That’s garbage.”

UPDATE: Zorn, on whether voters will cross over:

40 percent is best that a Republican candidate has done in a Cook County Board president’s race since the 1960s.