* I was asked about this last December after my City Club speech and pretty much predicted a “draft Jesse” push by top Democrats, including Speaker Madigan…
But White, who’s been in public office since 1975, says he’s been satisfied with being Secretary of State. And though he’s been on record saying he won’t seek re-election in 2018, White tells Jim and me that the Democratic Party may still draft him for one more run.
Steve Brown, a spokesman for the Illinois Democratic Party, says he’s not aware of a formal movement by the state party to draft White to run for Secretary of State again. But Brown says White’s name is “certainly in the conversation as people think about who should be candidates” in 2018.
“We’d be well-served if he considered to run again,” Brown says.
Good idea or not?
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:27 am:
Nooooo. He’s been a good public servant but it’s time to give someone else a chance.
- How Ironic - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:27 am:
Not a good idea. He’s well loved, but it’s time to move on. Better to retire at a high point, then languish later.
- John Doe - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:28 am:
Sure! Anyone who can reform the Secretary of State office deserves a lot of credit.
- IllinoisBoi - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:32 am:
He’s been one of the most honest and competent figures in Illinois government for many years now. But let the man retire with a good record. He deserves it.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:33 am:
Jesse White has proven to be unbeatable.
It would keep the Dem’s logjam as it is…
I think the more interesting and monumental “say put” would be Lisa Madigan staying and running for re-elect.
You could have, if the novice Mendoza Crew decided to actually know how to message and win, Lisa, Jesse, Susanna, and Frerichs locked in as the slate.
If Frerichs is foolish enough to take on Rauner, he will lose, it will be over, so staying would make sense.
But… back to Jesse White… it’s his nomination for re-election until he actually decides not to run, so why not, “today” leave it that he’s not a lame duck because “who can beat him right now?”.
- Almost the Weekend - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:33 am:
It’s the logical and smartest choice for putting a full frontal attack on Rauner in 2018. With so many interested candidates wanting to run, I don’t know if it would be possible to unite the whole Democratic Party after that brutal primary.
Now just need to find somebody to run against Rauner…
- The Captain - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:37 am:
I’ve had probably a dozen conversations in the last two months about this upcoming race and after walking through the many likely candidates I’ve always ended with ” … but it doesn’t matter, I still believe Jesse White is going to run again until he proves me wrong.”
My recollection is that prior to the 2014 cycle he told the Rockford Register Star that he wasn’t going to run again but then ran again in 2014. It’s in his blood.
- he's right - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:37 am:
People have been wanting him to move on for a long time, but if he runs, he wins. Less $$ and resources tied up in that race and more for the battle against the Bruce.
- Responsa - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:37 am:
He is respected but needs to be allowed to retire on his own terms and to gracefully turn the reins over to someone else in 2018.
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:43 am:
That office hasn’t changed in 20 years, time for some young tech person to run it.
- Annonin' - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:43 am:
That Brown is a F* genius. The move avoids a log jam in the D Primary and helps juice turnout against the BigBrains — if they are even in the mix by then.
- Saluki - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:45 am:
He should run again. If nothing else so that precious resources will not have to be wasted fighting for that office. All $ needs to be focused on making sure Rauner is defeated.
- wordslinger - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:47 am:
Why not? Give the people what they want.
Annonin, take it easy with the praise. Just saying. Some of our CFS decoder rings work.
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:54 am:
==That office hasn’t changed in 20 years, time for some young tech person to run it.==
This. Its stuck in the stone age in terms of use of technology and internet, especially compared to other States.
- Qui Tam - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:17 pm:
=You could have, if the novice Mendoza Crew decided to actually know how to message and win, Lisa, Jesse, Susanna, and Frerichs locked in as the slate.=
Maybe Mendoza can get her political pal A. Schock to return the favor of and support her candidacy.
- A guy - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:21 pm:
Good idea? Not in the least. Strategic idea. Absolutely. For all the reasons listed above. He locks it down. Good for the short term with Dems, but not the long term. That used to be the best spring board to higher office there was. Not since Jesse took over. He has reformed that office. That’s good.
If one believes that these cycles are the best for the Dems, this would be the time to promote another. If they’re feeling vulnerable about winning it; that’s not so good.
He’s a good man. It’s time to retire. Actually it was time last time. If he runs, he won’t go tumblin’ down. He’ll win. The party? Not so sure.
- Anon - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:34 pm:
I do not want to see Jesse White being propped up like the aged US Senator Strom Thurmond.
Retire with dignity, Jesse, it’s time and you have nothing left to prove.
- The Muse - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 12:38 pm:
It’s probably best that he call it a career. I respect Secretary White for all of his service - both as a public servant and military veteran. However, he has done enough for our state. It’s time to pass the torch.
- Excessively Rabid - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 1:18 pm:
No. Hard to not like Jesse, but it’s not about him. The term limit amendment we need is one for the constitutional officers, limiting service to basically 10 years, similar to the US rule for President. And eliminate the Lt Gov at the same time.
- Ahoy! - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 1:46 pm:
No, we need someone who is capable of moving our system into the 21st century. I think White is just one of the good old boys who is essentially going to keep things the way they are.
- Reformed Public Servant - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
This gives the Republicans something to think about, particularly as candidates are silently floating their nominations now… It’ll chill some higher-profile Republicans from jumping in. Oswego Willy has a great post @11:33. Stay tuned IL!
- Joe M - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 2:40 pm:
Let the people decide if he should be elected to another term. Isn’t that the way democracy works?
- Mama - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 3:36 pm:
I heard Jesse is retiring because he is not in good health. If his health is bad, I can’t see Jesse agreeing to run again.
- Curious Georgina - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 3:39 pm:
Are they talking about him as a candidate for re-election to the SOS spot? Or run again as a candidate for something else…like, say, governor?
- U-Turn agenda victim - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
He should either run for governor or retire.
- BBG - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 4:50 pm:
One of the most decent, honorable men in government today. His contributions to the Army, Cubs, school kids, Tumblers and the SOS are beyond any other politician in Illinois. Time to retire? That’s his choice!
- FormerParatrooper - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 6:51 pm:
I have nothing for respect for Mr White. He has improved the DMV, and my last few visits have been easy and quick. I remember the long waits and slow service that made a trip to the DMV a wasted day for anything else productive.
He is the only politician I can remember that everyone seems to like and say only positive things about. Whatever he decides, I would more than likely vote for him, again.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 10:28 pm:
Late to the game here but Word +1 bigtime.
I’m probably in the minority here, but I think in exchange for his many years of military and public service that Jesse White should solely make the call on when he retires. If he wants another term, then he should toss his hat in the ring and go for it. The tech capabilities of the Office can and should be debated on the campaign trail. It’s only fair to note that Jesse has gone along with every budget reduction, freeze, you name it going back to Blago; that can affect the ability to roll out new gadgets and gizmos.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 11:41 pm:
It is important for people to know and remember that Secretary White makes do with whatever budget the General Assembly gives to him. And for many years the SOS budget has been much less than asked for, usually accompanied by unfunded mandates like the GA likes to pass out to State agencies, schools, etc. If the SOS is not on top of the latest and greatest technology, place blame where blame belongs - back on the legislature and in some cases, the Office of the Governor. License, title, and other SOS fees are dictated to that office by the GA. I should be so lucky to be blessed with the physical and mental health Secretary White has when I am his age. Jesse White definitely has my vote should he choose to run again for Secretary of State.
- Northern Light - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 12:30 am:
I must not know him like you all do. I admire the military service and Tumblers, etc..but he’s overstayed. No one should be in elected positions for over 40 years! He has had lots of questionable personnel problems and issues, not to mention patronage…yes, it wasn’t just George Ryan’s game. Also, he closed several offices in underserved communities. Guess I don’t get the hero worship here. Obviously the Dems have something up their sleeve with this latest move. If Steve Brown says it - it must be so, right? Snark.
- scott aster - Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:30 am:
Thanks Anonymous you said it all. Mailing sticker reminders how retro.