Schneider endorses Biss
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) in his bid for governor.
“I’ve had the distinct privilege of working with Daniel over the years, and quickly came to appreciate his intellect, his wisdom and especially his great character,” said Brad Schneider. “I’ve watched him boldly step up and lead on issues like income inequality, women’s health care, and protecting our environment. Put simply, Daniel possesses the qualities we desperately need in our next governor: he is honest about our problems, unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom with new ideas, and keenly focused on what the people of Illinois need. Daniel knows that by putting people first, we can tackle our state’s challenges head on, and secure a better future for Illinois’s children. Because of his track record and his character, I’m proud to support Daniel.”
“I’m honored to have Brad’s support in this race,” said Daniel Biss. “Brad has always been a thoughtful and valued partner at the federal level, consistently demonstrating what strong advocacy on behalf of his constituents looks like. This has never been as urgent as it is today, as Brad is on the front lines of defending Illinois residents against Donald Trump’s attacks. As a friend, an ally, and a leader, I’m excited to work with Brad on our critical mission to put people first, and take our state back.”
* Sun-Times…
Schneider is throwing his support behind Biss — one of seven other Democratic candidates — in a swing district that saw narrow wins last year by Democrats U.S Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Rauner won the district by 12 points in 2014. […]
Another gubernatorial candidate, State Rep. Scott Drury, D-Highwood, is also in Schneider’s district, and the two have hosted events together. Drury didn’t endorse a candidate in Schneider’s 2016 primary race against Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering.
Reached for comment, Drury noted he didn’t ask for Schneider’s support.
“We appreciate the work Brad does in Congress. Consistent with past practice, we did not seek his endorsement in this race,” Drury said in a statement. “This remains a two-way race — those with proven loyalties to the Madigan machine versus our campaign. We like our odds.”
Duckworth actually won that district by 11 points. Mendoza squeaked by with a 2.5 margin.
Either way, that means little in a primary.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 10:47 am:
Does Ameya Pawar have any endorsements yet?
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 10:51 am:
That’s a good headline for Biss, and he needed something to break the streak of endorsements going to Pritzker, but I wonder if Schneider can really contribute much to a primary. He’s probably got to watch out for himself in the General.
- JoeMaddon - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 10:54 am:
Arsenal - first, I think he contributes exactly what you first said: a good headline.
But second, if Brad is willing to use his email list, there is a large donor base there.
Brad isn’t going to be out knocking on doors, but if Brad doesn’t have a primary there is some opportunity to mobilize his volunteers in the primary. He has a more active political operation than most of the Dem MOCs.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:04 am:
there’s a shock. not.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:07 am:
Good headline but it doesn’t do a lot to move him out of his home territory comfort zone. Needs to expand the geography.
- HeadsUp - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:09 am:
JoeMaddon, only because he lost what should be one of the safest seats for democrats in Illinois (D+11) in 2014. DCCC had to pull all the stops to make sure he had a funded and staffed campaign.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:11 am:
Oh.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:12 am:
===safest seats for democrats in Illinois (D+11) in 2014===
Your comment displays a fundamental misunderstanding of CD10, off-year elections and the fact that there are a whole lot of far more “safe” D seats than that one.
- HeadsUp - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:21 am:
Rich, if you don’t think D+11 should be safe, regardless of midterm election, you are giving him a significant benefit of the doubt. Seats like that should be on no party’s “defense” lists, let alone DCCC front-line status.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:23 am:
=== if you don’t think D+11 should be safe===
Again, don’t be stupid. Rauner won that district by 12 in 2014. It’s not a safe Dem seat in certain situations. The place is full of proud ticket splitters.
Go educate yourself a little.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:26 am:
The 10th has been bouncing back and forth since Kirk moved on. Should it lean Dem slightly, sure, but it can clearly go the other way under the right circumstances.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:29 am:
Disagree with you here rich. I think this Democratic primary is going to be a lot about Trump. And I think the Democratic Congressional members are going to matter more than usual. I think this is a huge pickup for Senator Biss.
Even if it was predictable because of Biss support for Schneider in 16.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:34 am:
== It’s not a safe Dem seat in certain situations.==
It’s not a safe seat for anyone, and hasn’t been for 5 cycles. It’s more historically a gentle lean to Moderate Republicans for a long time.
Let me reiterate what Rich said; Don’t be stupid.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:36 am:
==Disagree with you here rich. I think this Democratic primary is going to be a lot about Trump. And I think the Democratic Congressional members are going to matter more than usual. I think this is a huge pickup for Senator Biss.==
You’re “thinking” too hard. It’s a nice pickup for Biss. A morale booster even. A “huge” pickup??? Get serious.
- Tollway Tommy - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:36 am:
An endorsement from the most ineffective member of congress? I think an endorsement from a loaf of bread is more impactful.
- HeadsUp - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 11:50 am:
One more thing, the point here is that dems have run really weak and ineffective candidates in the district. If they had a Dold/Kirk equivalent they would have walked away with this district long ago. Trends in this district are going heavy in favor of the dems, especially in the era of Trump. So don’t worry, it’s not likely to so competitive until the next remap.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 12:09 pm:
To the Post,
This is a great get for Biss and it’s showing that the campaign continues to grow.
Biss isn’t Kennedy. Biss isn’t Pritzker.
Biss is targeting what he feels is his “sweet spot”, which doesn’t necessary include elected officials or traditional organizations by mass. Biss is organizing people, and those people become groups, and those groups spread out to other groups…
… it’s a real grassroots effort, retail. It’s talking to anyone and everyone, in the best way and building to crescendo come March, building not unlike Sanders, and bringing others onboard, finding common ground within his own focus to make Illinois better.
Is Biss someone that can fill, completely fill, gymnasiums, college quads, the ballrooms? Biss is building. We’ll see. This is part of that. Biss knows where to mine his voters, who he is, and that’s good on him.
- ZC - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 12:32 pm:
Agreed if anyone qualifies to be “third horse” in this race right now beneath the Pritzker-Kennedy dust-up, it’s Biss.
- Deft Wing - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 12:57 pm:
Well, this means … absolutely nothing.
- SwingVoter - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:11 pm:
“Ray we” in my earlier post was typo for “Rauner”
- Dupage - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 1:20 pm:
Biss does not have the money needed to counter the attack ads that Rauner can easily pay for. Biss will be like a duck being shot down by a gleefully smiling Rauner in his Carhartt jacket.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:40 pm:
Schneider endorsement = zzzzzz…..
- Colin O'Scopey - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:42 pm:
Channeling my best “Count von Count” from the Muppets:
“Dats one. One endorsement for Dan Biss”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 3:57 pm:
Good news for Biss, but he really needs Schakowsky’s endorsement to help win more of the progressive vote. I’m guessing that’s not too risky of a move for Schakowsky given Biss is Evanston and she certainly doesn’t need Pritzker’s money in any way. Plus, no love lost between Schakowksy and the Speaker.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
@Anonymous 3:57
Don’t kid yourself. Jan Schakowsky would get out of the shower to take a call from JB Pritzker.
- DuPage Bard - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:08 pm:
This is a good pick up. Not a great pick up but a good pick up. I’m guessing a few Congressional folks will probably stay on the sidelines during the primary.
So until Pritzker or Kennedy can get a Congressman/woman to endorse them, this is good for Biss. Granted it’s only a matter of time until before one or both of them get a DC person on their team. Biss better get the fundraising out of this while the irons hot.
- Colin O'Scopey - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
If I am not mistaken, isn’t Kenilworth, where Kennedy lives, in Schneider’s district?
- Anon III - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:15 pm:
I don’t see Schakowsky endorsing Pritzker. In 1998, Pritzker ran for U.S. Congress in the 9th congressional district, and finished last among three candidates in the Democratic primary, receiving 20.48% of the vote, to then State Representative Jan Schakowsky’s 45.14% and State Senator Howard W. Carroll’s 34.40%.
- Colin O'Scopey - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
=Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) in his bid for governor.=
Um, is Biss endorsing Schneider in his bid for governor or is it the other way around?
Sen. Biss should consider new press people.
- Someone - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:39 pm:
=If I am not mistaken, isn’t Kenilworth, where Kennedy lives, in Schneider’s district?=
It was before the 2010s redistricting. Not during the time that Schneider has been in office.
- Colin O'Scopey - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:41 pm:
@Someone
Thanks for clarifying.
C O’S
- Periwinkle - Wednesday, Jun 14, 17 @ 4:51 pm:
Schakowsky will probably endorse Biss. She doesn’t need Pritzker’s money, and Biss is enormously popular in his district and thus in a good chunk of hers. Endorsement of someone else while he’s in the race is pretty much out of the question, and non-endorsement wouldn’t be looked too kindly upon either.