GOP gearing up for 2018
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WCIA…
According to sources with knowledge of these discussions, Rauner’s chief political strategist Mike Zolnierowicz is actively recruiting and meeting with candidates who may show potential to upstage some of the governor’s political rivals in a statewide election. […]
Former Comptroller Leslie Munger is rumored to be angling for a chance to regain her seat in 2018, but party leaders have privately expressed concerns about her electability after losing a rough election last fall. Although he did not respond to requests for comment, Zolnierowicz continues to explore other options for the high stakes Comptroller race.
After losing to Mendoza last November, Munger was awarded a pay raise to a salary of $138,000 as one of two deputy governors in the Rauner administration. When asked about her plans to run [in 2018], she replied, “No comment.”
Republicans openly admit they are gearing up for a broader campaign to overtake a majority in the House, which would effectively demote reigning Speaker Michael Madigan. The party would need to pick up 9 seats to unseat Madigan. It only managed to gain 4 seats during the 2016 election, narrowly escaping the Democratic supermajority. Representative Tim Butler (R-Springfield) acknowledges unseating Madigan is a long shot, but he contends Democrats have several vulnerable candidates in districts where he believes the GOP can compete.
Defeating Madigan’s daughter may prove to be the tougher task. Zolnierowicz, who left his post as Rauner’s chief of staff to become the party’s top strategist last summer, is said to have come down to a short list of candidates to oppose Madigan, yet concerns about name recognition and credentials prolong the decision.
Any suggestions?
* Related…
* Tribune Editorial: Lisa Madigan, Illinois’ incomplete attorney general: But she is compromised. She is incomplete. She cannot maximize the role of attorney general, as others have across the country, because she, her family, her supporters and her brand are interwoven with the fabric of clout that envelops this state. There is no way, or no willingness on her part, to pluck apart the fibers.
- W Flag - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:06 am:
The Republicans need to nominate a strong candidate to run for Attorney General. Dissatisfied voters cannot vote against the Speaker, but can cast proxy protest vote against the AG.
Lisa Madigan has not faced more than nominal GOP opposition since 2002.
- The Captain - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:10 am:
It makes sense that Rauner’s political advisors believe his three year track record of no success will have strong coattails.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:10 am:
Z,
I’m sure you’re waiting breathlessly for my suggestion(s)… A case of Yuengling is a good start.
Thanks, OW
To the Post,
I could see a Dan Cronin angling for AG, if he’s in between his term, with Rauner money. He’d have DuPage name ID and a record that might be interesting.
I risks be a bit surprised if Barickman isn’t eyeing something, same with Bill Brady, maybe for SoS and Treasurer, in those orders….
… Comptroller? Hmm. I think on it…
- ZC - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:10 am:
This is one of the best arguments for unseating Rauner instead, incidentally.
If both sides are dug in this hard and Illinois is burning as a result, -something- has to change. A plan moving forward in -either- partisan direction may be preferable to the status quo. We need a unified partisan government again, Democrat or Republican. But it is doubtful to imagine in what is shaping up to be a very motivated Democratic midterm, Madigan is going to lose the House. I mean, stranger things have happened, but …
On the other hand it’s very easy to imagine Rauner losing and the Democrats keeping majority control (maybe if narrower) in both chambers - and then actually _doing_ something (like it or no).
And if that seems hard-edged and an unfair calculus why we should all vote Democrat for governor in 2018, well, it’s not like the GOP hasn’t tried to put its own screws to the Illinois electorate. Tough luck. Collectively the GOP nominated Trump to be its figurehead, and in so doing may well have dug its own hole in 2018. Illinois may not have the time on the clock to extend this partisan stalemate to 2020 or beyond.
- 'Goose - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:15 am:
Bob Dold would be a strong candidate for comptroller. It’s his year to win an election, as well.
- former southerner - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:17 am:
Great planning to follow up on Rauner’s stunning success as governor. Jay Leno once featured a Mueslix cereal spot on his show where the purchaser was promised if you don’t like it just let us know and we will send you another box free. This sounds like the Mueslix approach to taking over the state and hopefully for Illinois it works out as well for the GOP as it did for Kellog’s
- Tom - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:20 am:
I know it’s early, but the GOP are going to have strong headwinds. Real Clear at the dem advantage plus 6. One recent poll has it as high as plus 16.
- GA Watcher - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:21 am:
OW: Don’t think Dan Cronin would be willing to jump on the Team Rauner bus. He doesn’t seem to be the type of Republican who is willing to sell his soul like so many GOP legislators have.
- Curl of the Burl - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:23 am:
Willy - if the seat were open I would say Barickman is the ideal AG candidate. But with three little kids under the age of 5 would running against a four-term incumbent be the smartest thing for him to do? He is mid-term and has a safe district but that is quite the Herculean task given the opponent.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:25 am:
- GA Watcher -
You never know(?)
Someone says they’ll foot the bill for a statewide run, against the “name” Madigan… never know.
Plus, I’m holding out for the Yuengling… lol
- Atsuishin - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:27 am:
The thought of unseating House Dems makes me giddy. It would be check mate for state worker pension and pay raise agenda. I say Spend what ever it takes to win.
- phocion - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:27 am:
==only managed to gain 4 seats during the 2016 election, narrowly escaping the Democratic supermajority.==
This is seriously lame writing. That Republicans picked up any seats when the top of the ticket had a 16 point lead is nothing short of miraculous. The comments here claiming Rauner will be a drag on the ticket didn’t pan out then, and from the looks of the Democrats’ status quo campaign, won’t work out in 2018. Now, who should the Republicans put up against Lisa Madigan? Cronin is an interesting suggestion. But anybody they put up would have a pretty tough race on their hands. People just don’t tie her to her father as much as the GOP has tried to make that connection.
- DuPager - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:31 am:
Can’t see Cronin hopping back into the business. He’s done tremendous work for DuPage and is leading the state in consolidating county government. Rather see him help the county than get tangled in the mess.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:34 am:
Gee, what a coincidence that the Trib writes that hatchet-job editorial at the same time that Rauner and Co are recruiting candidates for AG. No backroom discussions there i’m sure. Will the Trib worry about the Republican candidate for AG’s independence when Rauner and Griffin give her or him $10 or 15 million?
- Real - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:34 am:
@phocion
You do know the top of the ticket is statewide and the 4 gained seats were in toss up districts? Now add in millions in dark money and millions of Rauner money. Had not that money factured into deceiving voters there would be no gained seats.
- PJ - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:39 am:
There’s not going to be a GOP AG. Running a statewide race in Illinois in a Trump midterm as a Republican? Enjoy!
They had the incumbent at comptroller and poured millions in to defend her and she still lost. Now try unseating a long term incumbent with angry Democrats itching to vote against any Republican.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:43 am:
===Gee, what a coincidence that the Trib writes that hatchet-job editorial at the same time that Rauner and Co are recruiting candidates for AG===
They’ve been looking for weeks and weeks. So, remove your tinfoil hat on this particular topic.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:44 am:
What successes will Democrats be running on?
Do you really think Illinois voters will vote for more Democrats to rubber stamp Mike Madigan’s agenda?
After twelve years of disastrous total control of state government they expect voters to give them more power.
Why?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:46 am:
Oh - Lucky Pierre - , lol
“Bruce Rauner failed”
Rauner at 58% disapproval, and Skyhook, I’d be more worried about Trump midterms than Dems finding sweet spots.
- phocion - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:46 am:
Nice spin, Real. The Dems in tight races who held on were very, very thin - even where Hillary lead Trump by double digits. And let’s not forget the statewide race of Munger v. Mendoza, which was decided by only a few points. With a top of the ticket lead of 16, you’d think that might have been more of a blow out. Anyway, go ahead and delude yourselves that Rauner can’t win and that the Republicans can’t pick up even more seats. Matter of fact, don’t even bother showing up on election day since the race is already decided.
- Real - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:46 am:
LP
Lets focus on the successes the current gov will be running on.
- Been There - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:49 am:
===Republicans openly admit they are gearing up for a broader campaign to overtake a majority in the House,===
And if anyone was still wondering why Madigan wants a self funder to run for gov.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:51 am:
===The Dems in tight races who held on were very, very thin - even where Hillary lead Trump by double digits.==•
Trump’s midterm, so there’s that if you’d like to stay “there”…
===And let’s not forget the statewide race of Munger v. Mendoza, which was decided by only a few points===
lol, yeah, it was 4 points, and “millions and millions” and Munger still lost to arguably one of the worst statewide runs in quite sometime.
With all that Mendoza had against her, including her own Crew, a 4-point win ain’t no squeaker, and let’s be frank, it was Dems staying home, not the campaign, staving off defeat. So there’s that…
===Anyway, go ahead and delude yourselves that Rauner can’t win and that the Republicans can’t pick up even more seats.===
I’m more inclined to take a parlay of Rauner losing and Raunerites have a “net gain” in seats, if I were a betting person.
- Common Sense - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:52 am:
Bye! Bye!! Bye !!! Democratic Party candidates should use the slogan “failed and unproductive Governor”.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:52 am:
Madigan is more unpopular than Rauner.
I guess when the Democrats only message is no change to state government or our business environment they run on class warfare, radical expansion of taxpayer funded abortion and opposition to Donald Trump.
Linking Trump to Rauner will be a stretch. They have already tried that and it did not work very well.
- Real - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:53 am:
My only thing about Jb is this. If he does not win the primary why then will he not use his own money to self fund the dem primary winner if he deeply cares about this state? I really believe Jb should commit to self funding whoever wins the dem primary because he says he cares so much about the state. And since so much is at stake here he should commit to that.
- nearspringfield - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 11:57 am:
I think your logic is flawed, Real. If I ask a girl to dinner, I should not be obligated to pay for it if she decides to go out with someone else.
- Real - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:00 pm:
@near
Big difference. This is not a date. This is peoples lives and the possibility of an oligarchy buying this state.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:00 pm:
===Madigan is more unpopular than Rauner===
Disapproval?
Madigan 61%
Rauner 58%
Three points, and Rauner will face a statewide ballot, with “Bruce Rauner fails”. They can try to make if about Madigan, but when a governor fails, that’s on that governor. Ask candidate Rauner.
===I guess when the Democrats only message is no change to state government or our business environment they run on class warfare, radical expansion of taxpayer funded abortion and opposition to Donald Trump.===
… and Bruce Rauner fails. You keep forgetting that, lol
===Linking Trump to Rauner will be a stretch. They have already tried that and it did not work very well.===
… but linking Munger to Rauner, Mendoza to Madigan, statewide… how did that end up?
- Responsa - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
== If he does not win the primary why then will he not use his own money to self fund the dem primary winner if he deeply cares about this state? Jb should commit to self funding whoever wins the dem primary because he says he cares so much about the state. ==
Are you, like, 12?
- Real - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:03 pm:
@responsa
Ask yourself that question.
- titan - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:06 pm:
OW - Dan Cronin was last elected DuPage County Board Chairman in 2014 (it’s a 4 year term). A statewide run would require him to give up that position, which most people probably consider a pretty safe seat for him.
- illini - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:06 pm:
Second attempt to post -
I think everyone is forgetting about an obvious candidate for any of the important state-wide offices — Jason Plummer.
After all, he from downstate where he could add some geographical balance to the slate, is smart, has worked in Navy Intelligence, comes from a family that is very prominent, has run state-wide in the past and does have that all important factor of name recognition.
- hot chocolate - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:08 pm:
Could they get a Fitzgerald?
- Can - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:08 pm:
This is a blue state - with an unpopular Republican governor - and it’s President Trump’s first midterm. The GOP is going to get smoked on multiple levels in 2018.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
===I could see a Dan Cronin angling for AG, if he’s in between his term===
I can’t see Cronin running if he is not.
Since I wasn’t as clear, I’ll clear that up.
The “Yuengling” worthy picks are different!
lol.
To the Post,
When you look at Lisa Madigan and Jesse White anchoring (maybe, we’ll see on White?) the “middle of the batting order”, it’s a tough to get someone, even if you’re funding them, to take those two on.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
Dan Cronin’s 4 year term as county board chair expires November 30, 2018. It’s posted on the County website.
- DuPager - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
OW - Since Lisa’s last election she (and Michael) have been at the helm of constant GOP attacks; I saw the poll done by Simon too. Furthermore, Munger had the losing campaign solely because of how she got it. Mendoza will have a much more difficult time this time around with this general. Agreed that White is the number 4 man, but we will have to wait and she who declares for AG to see how that race will go - won’t be Cronin though.
- ZC - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
To repeat: the question is not whether Madigan can lose seats in 2018. He assuredly can.
The question is how likely is it he will net-lose nine. Or that Democrats in a reduced-majority House will then flock to Rauner’s banner … so he can continue to try and pick them off, one-by-one? Not getting the logic here.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
The next time I have a disclaimer I’ll run it thru Legal and Practices and Standards so I’m not as ambiguous, lol
- Unfortunate Paul - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:32 pm:
=I guess when the Democrats only message is no change to state government or our business environment …..=
No change from the pre-Rauner environment would be an improvement by every measure to the Rauner status-quo.
- The fake John Lester - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:36 pm:
A strong known name candidate can beat Ferichs. They need a moderate woman and they can take out Mendoza. Jesse and Lisa now that’s going to be nearly impossible in my opinion. The Governor race is tough to call but the Dems don’t really have any great options. My guess Rauner gets back in and he also carries ( with lot of money ) the comptroller office.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
- DuPager -
Munger will still have the same negatives, including Lincolnshire, something Labor won’t forget.
Mendoza’s Crew won, due in large part, by not being so awful that Dems and Labor didn’t abandon her. Munger “lost” like I had in a comment when they started ads;
They have the money to bury Mendoza. If they start too late, or go too cheap, that is a Crew error, but they (Munger’s Crew) were, by miles, a much better Crew.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
“but party leaders have privately expressed concerns about her electability after losing a rough election last fall.”
It was a close race, much closer than many predicted.
I like the idea of Dold jumping into the mix for one of the option.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:46 pm:
==After twelve years of disastrous total control of state government they expect voters to give them more power.==
The election will take place after 4 years of disastrous Rauner control of state government.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:47 pm:
==Munger had the losing campaign solely because of how she got it.==
I don’t think that’s accurate, really, but even if it is, the liability is only worse now, given her current job.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:48 pm:
- illini -
I have a pretty good feeling ole Jason will be on the ballot… “somewhere”.
That’ll be fun!
- illini - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
I should have been more obvious that I was being facetious when I suggested Jason.
But who knows.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 1:05 pm:
Scott Drury as an “independent” for AG.
The clock strikes midnight for Madigan.
- DeseDemDose - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
Do nothing Rauner had his chance. Munger had her chance. All the money in the world can’t get either of them elected again…the voters won’t be fooled twice.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
Jesse White is 82 years young and still in great shape
I doubt he will run next year for a new 4 year term
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 1:49 pm:
Old Blue has a better chance in a statewide race than the Plummer Boy.
I can see my platform shaping up…increase statewide bobcat limits…. 2 cents/oreo sin tax…mandatory gun ownership…eliminate high school sports or make the colleges and pro teams subsize…where do I sign up?
- JoeMaddon - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 3:02 pm:
**A strong known name candidate can beat Ferichs.**
And who, exactly, is that strong known name candidate in the ILGOP?
- Rabid - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 3:36 pm:
They must think Rauner won’t have a primary candidate I can vote for and Ken Duncan him
- Inspector Gadget - Tuesday, May 23, 17 @ 10:37 pm:
Joe Maddon- Bob Dold or Dan Patlak are two that come to mind…..