* Politico had this Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research polling memo earlier today. The survey was taken for Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers…
The Democratic primary race for Illinois Governor is starting to take shape. But, the race is still fluid, even with a candidate with high name recognition in the field. In a three-way matchup between Kurt Summers, J.B. Pritzker, and Chris Kennedy, Kennedy leads with 44 percent of the vote. But 34 percent of the electorate is undecided and 41 percent are weak supporters of the candidates.
* Graph…
Just three candidates? Seems odd. Two others are announced.
But it does show that the Kennedy family name is still at least initially popular with Democratic primary voters.
* Anyway, back to the pollster…
When voters hear more about the potential candidates for Governor, 21 percent of the vote shifts to Summers, who has a compelling background that includes his roots in Chicago, his competence as a financial manager, and his advocacy for underserved communities.
Descriptions of Candidates for Governor
J.B. Pritzker is a successful businessman with a focus on growing the tech community in Chicago, and an active philanthropist. His family foundation focuses on improving the lives of at-risk children, he established the Pritzker Consortium on Early Childhood Development at the University of Chicago, and serves as chairman of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Pritzker knows how to grow the economy and attract jobs to Chicago, he founded the largest technology venture in the Midwest and created 1871, Chicago’s digital startup center. He has raised millions of dollars for Hillary Clinton and will have the resources to compete with Rauner.
Kurt Summers serves as the Chicago City Treasurer and grew up on the South Side of Chicago. With a strong support system, he worked his way through college and earned his MBA from Harvard University. He left a successful career on Wall Street to come back home to help save his grandfather’s small business. Later, he served as Chief of Staff to Board President Toni Preckwinkle, where he helped eliminate Cook County’s budget deficit of 487 million dollars. As City Treasurer, he has generated 100 million dollars in new revenue that is being re-invested in underserved communities to grow the economy. Summers believes economic opportunity and job creation are the solution to violence, and he has stood up against predatory lending to protect small business owners. Summers has the financial know-how to eliminate Illinois’ deficit, and would be our first African American Governor.
Chris Kennedy is a successful businessman and the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy. He was the President of the Merchandise Mart, the largest commercial building in the world, and launched a nonprofit that provides fresh food options at lower cost to underserved communities. Kennedy has been an active member of the Chicago community for three decades, serving on numerous boards with other business leaders and charitable foundations. He was chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and will make college affordability a top priority. Kennedy worked to bring almost 5000 companies to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, and he will use this experience to help bring more companies and good paying jobs to Illinois.
After hearing positive information on all three candidates, Summers moves into a strong second place position, Pritzker sees minimal growth, and Kennedy’s vote share is flat.
* The second graph…
Looks like Pritzker’s bio isn’t all that compelling, at least, not the way it’s portrayed in this poll. And Kennedy’s one-point drop is well within the margin of error. That name is golden.
* Conclusion…
Summers particularly resonates with important segments of the electorate – Chicago voters, liberals, African Americans, and younger voters. After positive information, Summers is essentially tied with Kennedy in Chicago (35 to 37 percent) and among African Americans (38 to 36 percent), and he leads Kennedy with voters under 50 (42 to 30 percent).
Summers has a unique background with both financial experience and roots in the community, appeal with key voting blocs, and overall the potential to shake up this race. With the primary just a year away, it’s anyone’s race to win.
* Methodology…
The memo reflects some key findings from a statewide survey of 500 likely 2018 Democratic primary voters conducted March 2-6, 2017. It carries a margin of error of 4.38 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** Chris Kennedy is now using the poll in a fundraising e-mail…
Since we announced our campaign for governor six weeks ago, your support has given us the momentum we need to beat Bruce Rauner and put Illinois on a better path. We are building a movement to change Illinois and restore the American Dream in our state in a single generation.
There are already early signs that we are making progress in our campaign. A new poll out today shows Chris leading the Democratic primary for Illinois governor with 44% of the vote - a 4:1 lead over our closest potential primary opponent.
While it is still early in the race, we need your continued support to keep our momentum strong.
- Homer J. Quinn - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:43 am:
“He has raised millions of dollars for Hillary Clinton and will have the resources to compete with Rauner.”
not a selling point.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:45 am:
“With the primary just a year away, it’s anyone’s race to win.”
This.
– MrJM
- PublicServant - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:48 am:
It’s just a guess, but I’m thinking those numbers might change as we get nearer to primary season. I’m voting for whoever has the best chance of showing Rauner the door.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:48 am:
This is helpful to a current “name ID” snapshot that still doesn’t reflect a completed field being seen, or the dynamic(s) of the race being at play in the results.
I guess I make of it people know the Kennedy name and as a default will choose that?
- John Rawl - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:49 am:
Doesn’t include pawar? Not a real poll. Fake news.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:52 am:
Interesting, but I’m not sure how useful it is to lilt this to these three candidates. Pawar can probably assume his numbers would line up with Summers if the names were switched. So this is free data for him. And Pawar is definitely running unless Summers knows something the rest of us don’t.
- Cubs in '16 - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:54 am:
I don’t see Pritzker ever becoming a strong candidate. I agree with Homer that tying him to HRC is a mistake. I wish he’d focus his efforts and considerable capital on helping a stronger candidate defeat Rauner.
- JT11505 - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:54 am:
Summers’ polling shouldn’t worry Kennedy or Pritzker. It should worry Rahm.
- Cable Line Beer Gardener - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:57 am:
This was the longest poll I ever participated in and was way to early in the process to form an opinion. I honestly told them I had no idea who Summers was (now I know). By the end of the 20 minute plus phone call I was annoyed by the extremely lengthy bios given for each of them and now that I look back I am not surprised it was for Summers.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:58 am:
There will be no Republican primary of significance.
This poll is about Democrats, so there’s that too…
- Former Downstater - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 9:59 am:
Lots of competing interests from potential candidates all handled by the same consultant. Will be interesting to see how the chips fall into place.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:00 am:
I had not known about Summers prior to this and agree that he has a great bio. I think Kennedy’s bio is strong, and of course
name recognition is powerful.
I think these names are great and hope that there is unity after the candidate wins the Primary.
- City Zen - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:05 am:
==he served as Chief of Staff to Board President Toni Preckwinkle, where he helped eliminate Cook County’s budget deficit of 487 million dollars==
Hold up. Half of that deficit was due to rolling back Stroger’s Cook County sales tax increase, which was then reinstated last year. Talking about cooking the books (pun intended).
- wordslinger - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:06 am:
The objective of the poll is to build Summers name recognition. Media outlets like horse races, so it will likely get plenty of play across the state.
- Come on Man! - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:07 am:
Who is going to be the gem of a human being that tries to disparage one of the most esteemed families in the Country.
- Wizzard of Ozzie - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:08 am:
Sooooo… why is Summers releasing this poll? He’s the only elected official of the 3 and he’s at 7 percent?
So let’s say these numbers hold, Summers is down 15 after the informed vote… and there is only 12% undecided left. Plus, Summers would have to spend a ton of money to actually inform voters. I don’t see where that comes from. Last quarter he raised $50,000, and the two quarters before that he raised $12,000 and $3,000. For someone who clearly wants to run for higher office, it shows that he isn’t willing to work hard.
Also, as Rich noted, JB doesn’t resonate with Dem voters in any way. I’ve heard that consistent with other polling out there. I don’t understand why he would run. He finished 3rd in a Congressional race in his own backyard and isn’t attractive to Dem primary voters. There are some things money can’t buy.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:11 am:
Blagojevich wasn’t first in the polls until feb or 2002. There is plenty of time to continue to build name ID. Pritzker, on the other hand, can only go down. I think he is a decent person, but his wealth will be used as a weapon against him. Summers has experience in elected office. More importantly, he understands how a smart government is run. I think we are looking at a floor for him. With Biss getting in the race, and manar as well, summers is in a good position to run and win. Plus, if he loses, he is still Treasurer. Win win.
- P. - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:11 am:
It’s an investment in relevancy.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:14 am:
===Also, as Rich noted, JB doesn’t resonate with Dem voters in any way. I’ve heard that consistent with other polling out there. I don’t understand why he would run.===
A year out, given the GOP Field, who would’ve picked Rauner. A year is like 10 years in politics, and that goes for Kennedy and others waiting they’d time to announce.
===He finished 3rd in a Congressional race in his own backyard and isn’t attractive to Dem primary voters. There are some things money can’t buy.===
This is a talking point designed to ignore the year out possibilities and the considerable possible assets Pritzker (even Kennedy for that matter) could use in a statewide bid.
Your bias is making you blind to campaign realities yet to be seen?
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:14 am:
When you have to spin your own initial poll results that hard… Just saying.
- JoeMaddon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:16 am:
Strange decision to leave out announced candidates (Pawar, Daiber), and possible/likely candidates (Biss, maybe Ammons?).
The JB numbers continue to be interesting, and continue to show his path will be tough. But you can buy a lot of name recognition…
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:18 am:
===With Biss getting in the race, and manar as well, summers is in a good position to run and win.===
Unlike Pritzker and Kennedy, Pawar and Sunmers have very little base to build upon that hybrids both needed ingredients; constituency and money. Neither the constituency or money is strong enough for one to aid the other for Pawar and Summers.
Both Sunmers and Pawar are reaching way too high, given their constituencies aren’t large enough to offset a lack of cash, and they don’t have the financial firepower to create that constituency like a Rauner did… by spending $20+ million in the Primary.
- 60611 - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:19 am:
The only way any of this makes sense is if Summers will end up running for something else (mayor, County Bd Prez when Toni retires, a different statewide office, etc.). He’s never faced an opponent, was handed a job by Rahm, no one knows who he is, will be tied to City of Chicago gov’t, and his ambition is blindingly obvious. I give him credit for making the best out of not having been dealt the greatest hand.
- JoeMaddon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:29 am:
**He’s never faced an opponent, was handed a job by Rahm, no one knows who he is, will be tied to City of Chicago gov’t, and his ambition is blindingly obvious. **
[Pritzker] has never won a race, gives a ton of money to Rahm/Madigan, no one knows who he is, will be tied to Clinton, Rahm, Madigan, and his ambition is blindingly obvious.
But you’re not wrong.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:30 am:
Kennedy has a great name, and the family’s passion for public service is beyond reproach, but he doesn’t have what it takes to beat Rauner. He showed his thin skin on that elevator interview when flannery ambushed him. If that got him flustered, imagine how he will clinch uncontrollably once Bruce onloads on him with the negative stuff. Summers doesn’t have that family baggage. His grandfather was an icon in the African American community as a close friend and advisor and friend to mayor Harold Washington. Kennnedy and pritzker are rich white guys, and I think by 2018 people will be pretty tired of that. Summers is doing a great job as city treasurer, and building the resume that people will look for in our next governor.
- Beetlejuice - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:30 am:
Summers was in the Sun Times this week advocating for increased business investment in disadvantaged neighborhoods…article noted that he had improved the investment strategies in the Treasurer’s office and generated $125M in earnings. Seems like a smart and capable dude who has a lot of upside potential as an alternative to rich white guys.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:31 am:
- Anon -
Summers was appointed by Rahm.
That’s not baggage?
- Roman - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:33 am:
The fact that Pritzker’s bio doesn’t resonate isn’t a surprise.
Angry, Bernie Sanders-style liberals and African-Americans voters will dominate the Dem primary. Pritzker just doesn’t appeal to those groups to begin with — and spending millions to win them over might just reinforce those negative feelings among the Sanders crowd.
Sure, Democratic political pros like Speaker Madigan and organized labor might like the idea of nominating a self-funder, but primaries voters don’t usually cast their ballots based on pragmatic general election strategies.
- 60611 - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:34 am:
-JoeMaddon-
Ha - and you’re not wrong either!
- Michael Westen - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:35 am:
Kennedy thus far has been a gaffe machine. He is a weak candidate, famous name and all.
- Gob Bluth - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:41 am:
What do you guys think the reasoning was in leaving Pawar off the poll? Does Summers think that he and Pawar fit the same “role”? That’s the only guess I can come up with.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:52 am:
Some people seem to think each of he candidates themselves wrote the bios that are being used in the poll. Umm, no.
Interestingly, Summers’ pollster seemed to go out of their way to put an exceptionally good paragraph together for Kennedy. And boy, talk about spin - “Kennedy worked to bring almost 5000 companies to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.” Yea, dude, you’re their landlord. And all those tech companies? They came because of 1871. Who put 1871 in the Mart again?
Besides, the lack of Pawar and Biss in this poll makes the result kind of worthless. Greenberg is a good pollster, so ya gotta wonder why they’d do that. Could it be because including them would have limited Summers upside?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:54 am:
===would have limited Summers upside? ===
Agreed.
- Michael Westen - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:57 am:
Cost could also have been a factor in limiting the number of candidates, if they planned on reading a bio for each candidate.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 10:59 am:
Including Biss and Pawar also would have driven up the cost of the poll and the length of time respondents would have been on the phone.
- JoeMaddon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:01 am:
**Including Biss and Pawar also would have driven up the cost of the poll and the length of time respondents would have been on the phone.**
Agreed. It also would have made the poll more accurate and relevant.
- A guy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:02 am:
Does Summers have the 19th Ward Org. behind him? That and Toni P. could cause that money difference in a crowded primary to mean a lot less. This poll really means next to nothing to anyone but the guy trying to raise some money from it. Pawar and Biss (maybe Manar) will be very useful to the others if they hang around long enough for debates and skewer poor Chris. All of them are better communicators.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:10 am:
- A Guy -
… and yet Kemnedy has, if you take anything away from this seemingly askewed poll is that name (Kennedy) ID is at 44%.
Dismissing Kennedy, dismissing Pritzker, those two have an ability to shape themselves to the masses far more that Summers or Pawar.
Biss and Manar will have constituencies to build on with statewide prongs and tentacles.
I also remember Rauner hiding or being at very choreographed and controlled settings. Who is to say, 3, 6 months from now both Kennedy and Pritzker run like Rauner did in a crowded primary.
Sommers at 7% without Pawar and Biss in the mix? Hmm. Kennedy at 44%, also hmm. Pritzker better start thinking that $200K needs to be $2 million, and ads, come May, June, July.
A year out. A whole year.
- A guy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:19 am:
==… and yet Kemnedy has, if you take anything away from this seemingly askewed poll is that name (Kennedy) ID is at 44%.==
Yep. Today. March 17, 2017. You may have forgotten the big bounce from Jane Byrne to Uncle Ted way back when. I’ll bet you One American Dollar or $25 to Lutheran Family Services, that “whoever” those Ward Organizations get behind…wins. If Summers has the 19th and Toni P’s organization, the rich guys will come in furlongs behind. You don’t get to see as many Dem Primaries and GOP. Cash is King in the GOP. Organization is King for the Dems. Watch those Committeemen.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:19 am:
Important for this Dem Party to have people of color represented in leadership. Not more of the same white wealthy men.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:22 am:
The majority of the democratic primary vote comes from Cook County. A large percentage of that vote comes from the African American community. Let all the rich white guys split up everything else. If Summers can lock up the AA vote, he’s the democratic nominee. Period.
- Roger - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:27 am:
- A guy - asks: Does Summers have the 19th Ward Org. behind him?
Answer: Heck no. They’ll be with Kennedy.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:27 am:
one of the posters nailed it, this is designed to identify (inexpensively through earned media) Summers as the non-rich white guy alternative. by ignoring pawar, biss or others in his “lane” he drives the narrative that “when voters decide to reject the rich white guy”
- Amalia - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:30 am:
I agree that the debates will be crucial. Kennedy has to work on translating his good works and generally nice guy demeanor into that forum. it’s not a bad thing to be upset about some things, but that has to be used selectively. he’s affable, casual, and dedicated to causes. But his strengths can be exploited (see the destruction of John Kerry when the truth is, Kerry was a hero). figuring a way through that is crucial for Chris to expand on his family name popularity and show people who he really is, a good guy. JB can’t do the same because even in small groups, he just comes across as snotty.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:33 am:
- Anon -
How did Rod win in the Primary?
“No, I’ll wait, thanks”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:35 am:
- A Guy -
I thought the “Machine” was long gone?
Now you’re saying the “Machine” will drag someone over the finish line?
That should scare Rauner, no?
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:37 am:
Oswego Willy, you are confusing results with something else. Results are what matter. Rod won by winning votes in areas where his competitors didn’t compete. Remove his name and look at the science of that campaign. The non white candidate can rack up a significant lead in Cook County.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:38 am:
Oswego Willy, you’re a bright person. You should start a business in research!
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:43 am:
Summers brings something different to the table, and this state needs that.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:44 am:
Amalia,
You have written this before and obviously you had a bad experience with him. But I’ve heard from lots of folks including a bunch of union folks he’s met with in this run up to a run that he comes across as the exact opposite of “snotty.” Maybe you’ll have a different perspective soon.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:45 am:
===Oswego Willy, you are confusing results with something else.===
An askewed poll “forgetting” Pawar and Biss?
===Results are what matter===
Rod won because Downstate made the difference. Saying Cook is the “key” is folly. The path has many ways, Cook numbers married with good downstate percentages in a crowded primary have shown a path too. A result.
===Remove his name and look at the science of that campaign.===
First you question my interpretations, now you’re paying in hypotheticals? Pick a lane.
===The non white candidate can rack up a significant lead in Cook County===
Is that enough to win?
Was Roland Burris running when Rod won that Primary? Wasn’t Roland a statewide officeholder?
Hmm.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:46 am:
===Oswego Willy, you’re a bright person.===
You’re the one! Thanks.
My “brightness”? That’s up for discussion and debate. Not a proven fact.
- Workin' - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 11:57 am:
“Pawar can probably assume his numbers would line up with Summers if the names were switched.”
Maybe. You’d have a better argument for Raoul or Robin Kelly.
Key phrases in the Summers bio for a Democratic primary electorate: “South Side of Chicago”, and “first African American Governor.”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
===Key phrases in the Summers bio for a Democratic primary electorate: “South Side of Chicago”, and “first African American Governor.”===
“Good luck with that.” - Fake Roland Burris, multiple statewide winning candidate.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
“Including Biss and Pawar also would have driven up the cost of the poll and the length of time respondents would have been on the phone.”
Meaningful polling ain’t easy (or cheap).
– MrJM
- anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:13 pm:
Summers seem to be the only candidate in this poll who can help Illinois with our financial issues, and has the experience to do it. Not to mention, he does bring something to the table that Illinois has not seen in the governor’s office before as mentioned by another Anon earlier in these comments.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
===Summers seem to be the only candidate in this poll who can help Illinois with our financial issues, and has the experience to do it.===
Based on what, being appointed by Rahm Emanuel?
===Not to mention, he does bring something to the table that Illinois has not seen in the governor’s office before as mentioned by another Anon earlier in these comments.===
Ask Roland Burris about that and losing to Rod Blagojevich.
- A guy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:21 pm:
===- A Guy -
I thought the “Machine” was long gone?
Now you’re saying the “Machine” will drag someone over the finish line?
That should scare Rauner, no?==
Willy, it’s a Dem Primary. Think Mendoza, Foxx, etc.
The Dem voters in Dem Primaries aren’t Rauner’s problem…his problems are elsewhere.
The Committeemen in Cook can still make a winner in a crowded primary. Catch up man.
- A guy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
===A guy - asks: Does Summers have the 19th Ward Org. behind him?
Answer: Heck no. They’ll be with Kennedy.===
Not so fast…Don’t confuse the 19 with the 11. If the 19 were so firmly with Kennedy, they’d already be there. They aren’t.
- Scapegoat - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
Kurt is going to pull through because the state needs a public figure who’s going to clean up the budget mess Illinois has been in for awhile now. The Democrats need people of color, like Summer’s to showcase political diversity And Summers’ position with the city primes him for 2018. The efforts/initiatives in Chicago are landmarks and groundwork for clinching AA votes in Cook County.
Also, Summer’s positioning himself as “first African American Governor” in Illinois will inspire other people of color to run for office. If Kurt gets elected it only a matter of time before people hype up Summer’s next “Black President.”
Chicago breeds politicians.
- anon - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
Oswego Willy, you are correct! He was appointed by Rahm. But, the work he has done since being appointed by Rahm provides him with the experience someone needs to help IL out in this financial state. Have you read the Sun-Times article about his work in the Treasures Office this last fiscal year?
Also, as I mentioned in my initial comment, I was referencing only candidates in this poll.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:28 pm:
===Not so fast…Don’t confuse the 19 with the 11. If the 19 were so firmly with Kennedy, they’d already be there. They aren’t.===
As a Republican you sure speak to where all these Ward organizations are, lol.
===The Committeemen in Cook can still make a winner in a crowded primary. Catch up man===
They can, but it doesn’t guarantee victory. Is that what you’re saying, it guarantees?
Nothing to catch up, Vallas winning up north but losing to Blagojevich shows Chicago/Cook totals and numbers are just that, numbers.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:33 pm:
===Kurt is going to pull through because the state needs a public figure who’s going to clean up the budget mess Illinois has been in for awhile now.===
No. That’s not the path. The path is to get more votes than the others in the primary, not flowery language.
===The Democrats need people of color, like Summer’s to showcase political diversity And Summers’ position with the city primes him for 2018.===
Jesse White? Sen. Duckworth? Congressman Raja?
What are you saying… exactly?
===Also, Summer’s positioning himself as “first African American Governor” in Illinois will inspire other people of color to run for office===
Bigger than Senator… sorry… President Obama, Summers is? Oh boy. Rethink that.
===If Kurt gets elected it only a matter of time before people hype up Summer’s next “Black President===
Summers is polling at 7%, his own poll, ignoring Biss and Pawar.
I know it’s St. Patrick’s Day… but slow down, it’s only 12:30
- Michael Westen - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:34 pm:
The machine? You’re joking, right? There are barely ten wards that carry the slated candidate for judge, let alone a Governor candidate. And those ten will not be united behind one candidate. There will likely be more than $20 million spent in the primary alone when all is said and done. Voters in most wards will make their own minds up and not need the help of their Committeeman.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
Let’s start backwards, shall we?
===Also, as I mentioned in my initial comment, I was referencing only candidates in this poll.===
Ignoring Biss and Manar isn’t helping, and throw in Pawar for Chicago, you’re argument in this framing looks weaker.
===But, the work he has done since being appointed by Rahm provides him with the experience someone needs to help IL out in this financial state===
Yeah, Rauner’s $80-90 million is only going to say, especially downstate… “appointed by Rahm”
Will Summers have $80-90 million to “explain away” Rahm?
Hmm.
===Have you read the Sun-Times article about his work in the Treasures Office this last fiscal year?===
How many have? See how that works?
- Roger - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
- A guy -
Allow me to join Willy in encouraging you to stay in your Republican lane.
Chris Kennedy and Skinny Sheahan are thisclose. The 19th Ward will be with Kennedy.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:40 pm:
===Meaningful polling ain’t easy (or cheap).===
This
One might think Kurt had/has eyes on 2019. But, that lane is going to be crowded in ‘19, and it’s looking to be crowded in ‘18 too. The “south side of Chicago, grandfather worked with Harold” argument notwithstanding, Kurt’s base is frighteningly similar to the base for Pawar, Biss, Gainer and a few others - a goober bid in ‘18 might boost the ‘19 prospects (Pawar too). We also shouldn’t forget that after working for TP and before taking Rahm’s appointment, he had a high-ranking gig at Grosvener Capital Management, a private equity firm.
All that said, if he caught fire, it wouldn’t bother me a lick. The dude is friendly, super-smart, and knows what it takes to win. Whether that translates is an open question.
- SkokieO - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:42 pm:
The only one in this race who has experience working with state wide issues is Kurt Summers, point blank. I can totally see him galvanizing young people, way more than say, Pritzker. This early on, it really is anyones game. Plus, with this kind of jump just after a simple bio read? Come on, more voter ed can lead to a much stronger jump in the polls. THat said, I would really like to see Pawar polled vs these guys too.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 12:57 pm:
===The only one in this race who has experience working with state wide issues is Kurt Summers, point blank.===
What specific “State-Wide” issues, and where, outside Cook County and within the framework of a “State-Wide” framing? Thanks.
===Come on, more voter ed can lead to a much stronger jump in the polls.===
Summers have $25 million over the next year to do that? Hmm.
- A guy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 1:11 pm:
==Chris Kennedy and Skinny Sheahan are thisclose. The 19th Ward will be with Kennedy.==
Well, I guess it’s settled then. Roger has spoken for Skinny. And Skinny has spoken for Chris…just no one heard it. And there’s no other voices there. In 2017. Must be the bike lane you’re stayin’ in.
- SkokieO - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 1:22 pm:
===What specific “State-Wide” issues, and where, outside Cook County and within the framework of a “State-Wide” framing? Thanks.===
I’m thinking about his predatory lending efforts in the legislature. Working to get Illinois to go after that bs.
===Summers have $25 million over the next year to do that? Hmm.=== Dont know. I bet he could raise it with the right friends but I dont know if Kennedy/Pritzker are vacuuming that up.
Seems like Summers and Pawar will have to fight it out for the progressive, small dollars.
- Biscuit Head - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
As a soon-to-be Former Republican, right now I think any of these candidates are better than Rauner. I will not make the same mistake twice.
- downstate dem - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
Kennedy is making positive impressions on the trail - Sunday with Skinny Sheahan in the 19th, Rockford, Peoria, the Quad Cities, the Southern 20 chairs …
- Nikolas Name - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 2:16 pm:
Downstate, no one knows any of these people. They only know the Kennedy name. Even if downstate only makes up about 20% of the vote Kennedy will probably take the overwhelming majority of this vote unless the others make themselves familiar.
- Roman - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
Who knew? Apparently A Guy is a southwest side precinct captain.
- A guy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
Roman, guess it’s too early to ask “who knew” about any of this. Hang in there, bucky, as time goes on we’ll all know. I’m not a SW side precinct captain; at this time..
- A guy - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
===Kennedy is making positive impressions on the trail - Sunday with Skinny Sheahan in the 19th===
In the Southside Irish parade…and there were Rauner, MJM and the plumbing guy together (Caption contest, this very week) Soooo, is the Speaker with Rauner this time around?
- Veil of Ignorance - Friday, Mar 17, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
I do agree that without including Pawar in this poll the results aren’t helpful. Pawar would arguably split the liberals, Chicagoans, and younger voters up a bit more. I’d prefer to wait until the candidates actually take a full range of questions on the how to fix our state and then see what the polling shows.
- Danny Perez - Monday, Mar 20, 17 @ 5:27 pm:
Kurt is the type of leader that this city and state needs; he understands how economic investment can be the solution to violence; and is an authentic leader.