* The Senate Executive Appointments Committee met this morning. David Gill’s nomination wasn’t considered. Some Senate Republicans want the governor to put that nomination forward before the end of the spring session so they can question Gill about how he was appointed.
As you already know, Gill was appointed to a top Quinn administration position the very same day that Ann Callis announced her resignation as a judge and said she planned to campaign against Republican Congressman Rodney Davis. It smelled like a cooked deal, and it probably was. Gill had run several times for that congressional seat in the past, and the DCCC heavily recruited Callis and wanted Gill out of the way. Mission accomplished.
Here’s Sen. Sam McCann on the nomination…
* Meanwhile, a move from Chicago to Champaign is causing some folks to get out their prognostication telescopes. Tom Kasich had the scoop last week…
Less than a year after Republican county chairmen in the 13th District turned down her candidacy for Congress, Urbana native Erika Harold is moving back to Champaign-Urbana and has indicated an interest in running for public office.
But she declined to say Monday if she is looking at a local, state or federal position.
“At this point I plan to make an announcement regarding future political plans within a couple of weeks,” said the former Miss America, who grew up in Urbana, and graduated with an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and a law degree from Harvard.
* The speculation is that she could take on Rodney Davis in the GOP primary or set herself up for a statewide bid. Bernie followed up…
If indeed Harold has been bitten by the political bug, choices could be many. It still looks as if there could be a free-for-all in the 2014 GOP primary for governor, and under a new law, candidates for governor have to have running mates in the primary. So, could a Chicago-area man running for the state’s top job balance the ticket with a Harvard-educated lawyer living in Urbana who happened to be Miss America? Stranger things have happened.
If Attorney General Lisa Madigan takes the plunge and runs for the Democratic nomination for governor, which would set up a likely battle with incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn, that could affect many political choices, including someone like Harold seeking the office of attorney general.
OK, I’m gonna get a little blunt here, so pardon me in advance.
Both parties use less winnable slots for their, um, affirmative action programs. The 2010 GOP also-rans were both unknowns and both minorities (Robert Enriquez for SoS, Steve Kim for attorney general). It’s expected that the Dems will try to field an African-American or Latino against Judy Baar Topinka next year.
So, a first time, completely untested candidate for an open seat attorney general’s race may not be in the cards. If Lisa Madigan runs for reelection, however, Harold might be encouraged to run for that slot.
* A lite guv spot probably wouldn’t be bad, though, since both parties will probably try to use that position to do strategic and tactical outreach. Matt Dietrich gushes at the possiblity…
Hmm. A Chicago-area man running for governor looking for some downstate credibility? It certainly wouldn’t hurt Bruce Rauner, who is virtually unknown outside Chicago, to land a running mate with downstate roots, degrees from U of I and Harvard Law School and a Miss America title as well. Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale is the other presumptive GOP gubernatorial candidate from the Chicago area. Having Harold on his ticket certainly would give his campaign a boost in competing against Rauner’s fund-raising machine. The female vote in the suburbs will be key for any Republican candidate, and Harold’s presence on the ticket could bring benefits there. […]
It’s all so tantalizing. And all just speculation for now. But it won’t be for long.
- Halfway Interesting - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:04 pm:
She is running for Congress and was lured back to Urbana by former (and unemployed) Tim Johnson staffers disaffected that their sugar daddy is gone. Go to erikaforcongress.com, type a random email and you will see campaign address is the same as Champaign GOP HQ and all the Erika for Congress websites were renewed about a month ago. Her Congressional run is sponsored by the Champaign GOP.
- 47th Ward - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:11 pm:
Is Frerichs’s senate seat up in 14? If he gives up that seat, I could see Harold making a credible run there. I doubt we’ll see a congressional primary, even though I’d enjoy that immensely.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:12 pm:
===Is Frerichs’s senate seat up in 14?===
No.
- Greatplainser - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:12 pm:
Couple issues with that theory:
-Mr. Habeeb the Champaign GOP chair voted for Davis a year ago (he distinctly made that choice)
-Many TJ staffers moved on to bigger and some not so biggger things.
-Harold’s make numerous apperances in McLean County not Champaign. Far more likely her backers are really there.
- LincolnLounger - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:16 pm:
I don’t think Frerichs’ seat is up; however, even were it so, I’m confident that Ms. Harold would find a state senate seat beneath her.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:18 pm:
“When you are called ‘the future’ of something, that really means that your basis is on nothing.”
I think Champaign County has municipalities, a County government, heck, school boards, how about Ms. Harold, you run and work your way up, as opposed to “running” against Rodney for your ONW self, and a complete LACK of self awareness, at the peril of a targeted seat.
Dope!
The belief of how important you are to the party, is a reflection, not of the Party, of your inflated ego, and a lack of understanding about how to earm points as a “team player.”
Give Congressman Aaron Schock a call, Ms. Harold. Ask the Congressman about being on a School board, on running and winning a General Assembly seat, and running and winning a seat in Congress.
Ask Congressman Schock.
Then call Jason Plummer and ask about running for offices on Hubris and self-importance.
Let me know whose phone call makes more sense in building a political career based on merit, and whose made more sense building a political career on Hubris?
Pretty sad and disappointing, and Bad Form.
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:19 pm:
Just looked at Bernies story. Noticed she landed at Meyer Capel which is also the home of Jason Barickman. Interesting.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:33 pm:
“Dear Dr. Gill,
Don’t worry.
Usually, these things blow over and all is forgiven and you will be at work in the 1st position Gov. Quinn appoints you for, so take heart.
Your Pal,
Careen Gordon”
- Norseman - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:41 pm:
Willy, the Gill letter was priceless.
When he finally gets it, we’ll have to see if Gill is happy with his do little job.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:41 pm:
Were no unsuccessful GOP candidates placed in state agency positions by Republican governors during the Thompson, Edgar, Ryan run? Lolita Didrickson & Sam Panayotovitch come to mind right off the top. Others?
- Lovable Losers - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:49 pm:
Oswego, perhaps Erika can come back and run unsuccessfully for Mayor and State Rep and then run for Congress.
- Shore - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 1:57 pm:
we read about these wonderful on paper candidates then we see them out in real life and they’re incredibly challenged. Bruce Rauner makes Jason Plummer look like Ronald Reagan in terms of his inability to communicate. I thought after George W. Bush and Sarah Palin I wouldn’t see a gop candidate as inarticulate again then we saw plummer.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 2:00 pm:
- Lovable Losers -,
Look, Ms. Haroild hasn’t asked me if that is a “winning” blueprint for her, but I do know Primaring Davis at this point looks a bit amateur-ish, and searching for relevence, for her, today, and her options.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 2:24 pm:
If the state GOP can’t figure out how to open the door for a young black woman who wants to get in, then they should remain seated while chewing gum.
Young. Black. Woman. Does the Republican party have any problems with any of those groups?
- Raising Kane - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 2:34 pm:
As for Erika Harold: Willy has it right….she wants to start at the top. I can’t name one thing she has done to help a GOP candidate at any level get elected. But she apparently thinks she is so fabulous she should just breeze right in and be nominated over a sitting Congressman. She is just dellusional.
If this is more of that pathetic Johnson crowd’s work…they need to move on. I know most of them haven’t been able to get a job since the election but I think McDonalds is hiring….move on already.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 2:49 pm:
Willy, maybe this con$ulting thing has some legs, ya think?
To the post, it would be fair to say that the “R” governors helped losing candidates with State employment. However, they did so with more grace and discretion than “Same-Day” Quinn.
- OneMan - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 2:58 pm:
I think even the gang that can’t shoot straight anymore had a little bit better timing when it came to these sort of things….
It is like drinking from the paper bag vs. not. When it is obvious, people kind of have to ask.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 3:24 pm:
- wordslinger -,
You hit one of the major problems “My Party” has when recruiting, and has Rich pointed out so well, both parties seem to be very “diverse” in races they feel they can’t win.
I would hope challenging a Freshman Republican Congressman in a Primary would not be “the best way” to get name ID. Just saying …
- AA -,
I will be “Bad Cop” and you could be “Good Cop”…
Just don’t show the picture of me floating down the street in Oswego as a reference …
- Ahoy! - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 3:27 pm:
I think the Lt. Governor option makes the most sense. Of course, Davis might be a sitting Congressman, he’s never been through a primary in the district and the “unanimous” vote was only for symbolic reasons. Primaries aren’t always a bad thing.
- steve schnorf - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 7:53 pm:
Man, I am shocked about the gambling in this casino, Rick. Wait! Wrong movie. This one is “Mr Smith Went to Washington, Not Springfield.” Unless I’m wrong it is a double exempt position. Who in God’s name would we expect him to put in it, some losing R? If this is all we have for scandal I’m just going to drive on by, nothing to see here.
- CU Resident - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 9:00 pm:
The Champaign News Gazette is hopelessly, totally, head-over-heels in love with her. They surely will print her press releases verbatim as they always did with Tim Johnson.
- Hope - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 9:28 pm:
Why are the “insiders” so scared of Harold? answer:she is the real deal. This is what the country is asking for. Diversity in the party. What experience did Mr Davis have before Congress. Nothing besides loses for Mayor of Taylorville and St Rep. Are they scared because it would buck the good ole boys club? Thats what needs to happen. The good ole boys club is whats wrong with the party. I hope she runs!!!!
- Precinct Captain - Monday, May 20, 13 @ 11:20 pm:
According to this, she’s running for state rep.
- T.J. - Monday, May 27, 13 @ 8:54 pm:
-Mr. Habeeb the Champaign GOP chair voted for Davis a year ago (he distinctly made that choice)
Ahahahahaha.
Does Habeeb know that?