*** UPDATED x3 *** Dueling endorsements
Monday, Jun 19, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Pritzker campaign…
** MEDIA ADVISORY: TODAY at 11:00 AM **
JB Pritzker and Congressman Luis Gutierrez
To Make Press Conference Announcement
WHAT
JB Pritzker and Congressman Luis Gutierrez join community, faith and business leaders to make an announcement.
WHEN
Monday, June 19 at 11:00 AM
WHERE
Lincoln United Methodist Church
2242 South Damen Avenue, Chicago
* Mary Ann Ahern…
The Kennedy endorsement is at noon at Captain’s Hard Time Dining, 436 E 79th St. in Chicago.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Republicans were waiting outside of the Pritzker endorsement with a familiar character…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Pritzker campaign…
“For over 30 years, Congressman Gutierrez has been a fierce advocate and fighter for our immigrant communities and the most vulnerable in Illinois. I am honored to receive his endorsement and humbled to have him standing with me in this campaign,” said JB Pritzker. “As governor, I will work with Congressman Gutierrez to pass the TRUST act, ensure DREAMers can graduate and contribute to the economy, invest in quality education for all Illinoisans, and support small businesses and access to capital in the communities that need it most. Most importantly, I will partner with Congressman Gutierrez to stand up to Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner’s fear-mongering and attacks on Illinois families. Rauner refuses to stand up to Donald Trump’s hate and has decimated funding for immigrant services in Illinois. The nearly 1.8 million immigrants in Illinois deserve a governor who will fight for them and I look forward to standing with Congressman Gutierrez to be that governor.”
“I am proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor because I know that he will bring people together and fight for what’s right in Illinois,” said Congressman Luis Gutierrez. “JB has spent his life lifting up our most vulnerable communities and fighting for Illinois families. But our current governor has failed our families and refuses to stand up to Donald Trump’s attacks. Unlike Rauner, I know that JB will be a partner and a friend to our immigrant communities in Illinois and he will never be afraid to stand up to Donald Trump. JB has the background and the values to take on Bruce Rauner and ensure that Illinois is a state that always welcomes and protects immigrants. JB will be a great governor for our state and I look forward to standing with him in the fight ahead.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Kennedy campaign…
This afternoon, at Captain’s Hard Times Dining, longtime U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush endorsed Chris Kennedy as the next Governor of Illinois. Congressman Rush hailed that Kennedy would bring “radical change” to Illinois’ state government, with a focus on helping the middle class and poor families who have been neglected under Governor Bruce Rauner.
“Governor Rauner’s days are numbered,” Congressman Rush said. “He has been more cruel and coldhearted than any governor in our history. He has slashed the social safety net, ignored gun violence and cut funding for Chicago Public Schools. We need change. I stand with Chris Kennedy because I believe in Chris Kennedy and I know Chris Kennedy. He is the best candidate to restore the promise of the American Dream for millions of Illinois residents. He will work for those who are left out and for those who do not have access to the American Dream. Chris will bring a radical approach to state government and give us a state government that works for every family in every neighborhood.”
Congressman Rush went on to address political dynamics in this election. “The Democratic establishment here in Illinois wants to package up with ribbons and deliver the nomination to the candidate of their choice. My message to them is that you cannot gift wrap the gubernatorial nomination because it is not yours to give. It belongs to the citizens of the state of Illinois. Chris is in and Chris will win,” added Rush.
Kennedy thanked Congressman Rush for his endorsement. “I am humbled that Congressman Bobby Rush has chosen to stand with me and support my campaign. His work has not only inspired me but my whole family. He is a longtime public servant who has worked to better the lives of everyday people, hardworking middle class and poor people who deserve a government that does not push them away but instead welcomes them here. Illinois state government needs radical change and Congressman Rush has long advocated for radical change. I am honored to stand with him to ensure that we keep the promise of our state, and restore the American Dream as the dream for all Americans,” Kennedy said.
* Greg Hinz…
The key [Bobby Rush] quote: “You can’t gift-wrap the nomination. It’s not yours to give. It belongs to the citizens of Illinois…Chris is in and Chris will win.”
That’s a clear shot at Pritzker, who has been much more active in getting help from Madigan and others to line up endorsements. Of course, the endorsement of Bobby Rush is, um, an endorsement, but Kennedy said he won it on his own without anyone giving orders to anyone.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 9:36 am:
Wow. I would run as far away as I could from a Bobby Rush endorsement. That the best you got, Chris?
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 9:43 am:
Ducky - given Pritzker’s insult to Obama, he might do better shoring up African-American support himself.
That said, as much as I can’t stand his FALN-supporting, DREAM-ACT killing-for-political-purposes excuse for a Congressman, politically Louis G is a good pickup.
- A guy - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Dubious as to what either of these endorsements add up to, but they would appear to cancel one another out.
- Grand Avenue - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Please someone ask JB what he thinks about honoring someone like Oscar Lopez with an honorary street and a parade in his honor.
- A Jack - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 9:54 am:
Sure, we will ask JB about Oscar Lopez, right after we ask Chris about the Black Panthers.
- Arsenal - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 9:57 am:
==Wow. I would run as far away as I could from a Bobby Rush endorsement.==
I dunno, in a Democratic primary you probably don’t want to turn away anyone who could help with Southside African American votes.
- A Jack - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 10:09 am:
I think an endorsement from Chance the Rapper would provide a lot more mileage these days.
- Arsenal - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 10:26 am:
==I think an endorsement from Chance the Rapper would provide a lot more mileage these days.==
Sure, but these things aren’t on a menu, you can’t just pick the one you want the most.
- Saluki - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 11:22 am:
nice use of the blago costume.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 11:22 am:
Re: Update - Powerful endorsement of Pritzker - if they’re THAT terrified of him maybe he is the strongest candidate.
- The Captain - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 11:39 am:
Can we get a moratorium on these campaign gimmick outfits until after Labor Day? It way too hot to keep putting the lowest paid campaign staffer in these hot, sweaty costumes.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 11:54 am:
Blago’s hair is now grey, just FYI
- siriusly - Monday, Jun 19, 17 @ 12:50 pm:
I love the Blago costume, funny, entertaining and it got into the story which is the goal.
But a serious question - have the actually poll-tested Blago’s approval ratings? Wondering if he is above or below Rauner and Madigan.