* Perhaps the least surprising news of the day, but maybe the only actual news generated…
Secretary of State Jesse White will announce Thursday he intends to run for a sixth term, his team confirmed.
The announcement comes at Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair where the eight candidates seeking the governor’s post will be front and center.
White, 83, is a top vote-getter. He had said at Democrat Day in 2015 that he would not run again, but he has since rethought that decision.
Political insiders believe if White had decided to bow out, that would have shifted the focus and campaign funds from the governor’s post to the highly sought-after job of secretary of state.
*** UPDATE *** Secretary White just made it official. “I am your man and I will be at my duty station every day.”
- Jeff Schoenberg - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:11 am:
Thrilled but hardly surprised. Jesse White is a superhero, pure and simple.
- Piece of Work - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:12 am:
So, let me get this straight. Jesse says in ‘15 he won’t run again and says in ‘17 he is running again and that is okay? If an R did that he or she would be skewered.
Such a double standard.
- Norseman - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:17 am:
Go Jesse go. You’re a thankful constant in an otherwise turbulent political landscape.
- Humboldt - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:17 am:
Jesse White’s eternal smiling portrait is the only thing comforting about visits to the DMV. I’m glad it’ll still be there!
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:19 am:
===White, 83, is a top vote-getter===
83! (cue Bernstein and Goff soundbite) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kptwWpuw8fM
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:20 am:
Yippee. Is he or when will he be the longest serving Secretary of State ? If Lisa Madigan wins re election she will be the longest serving A G in state history then of course her Dad. Ed Burke probably got a record going. How about some down staters? Anyone else in the running?
- Real - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:21 am:
Jesse White running again will help the democrats win other offices.
- Sic semper tyrannis - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:27 am:
No doubt that Jesse will get re-elected. The only question is how long he will serve if a Democrat wins the Governor’s office.
- A guy - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:28 am:
That office had long been a springboard to higher state and federal office. They’ve kind of surrendered that for 2 1/2 decades. The stability and the astounding number of jobs seems to have taken precedence in this one. Jesse may run a couple more times.
- cdog - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:31 am:
White has always seemed like a good guy, but 20 years in office is long enough for an 83 yr old.
I find it weird and humorous that Democratic Party leadership seems to be a club for those over 75.
- Northerwatersports - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:34 am:
He’s been competent, honest, and overall smart about the mechanics of governing. An overall cheerleader (pun intended) and consistent leader. All other electable types should try to emulate that ethos.
I say welcome back. He’s got my vote.
- All Knowing Oz - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:40 am:
Not a fan of Democrats and what they stand for but Jesse White has done a good job. I have never had any problems at any of the Secretary of State Facilities.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:43 am:
==Jesse says in ‘15 he won’t run again and says in ‘17 he is running again and that is okay? ==
It is if the voters think it is.
==If an R did that he or she would be skewered.==
Stop being such a victim.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:48 am:
–If an R did that….–
Do you spend your days conjuring hypothetical situations to feed your victim jones?
- sharkette - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:52 am:
old men with old ideas need to move on.
term limits are sadly needed in the state of illness
- Demoralized - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:55 am:
==old men with old ideas need to move on.==
“Old men,” huh. Real classy.
==term limits are sadly needed in the state of illness==
We already have term limits. They are called elections.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:57 am:
===…old ideas need to move on.==
Seems the people of Illinois like Secretary White’s ideas….
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 10:59 am:
With Mr White running again there will be at least one person on the ballot to vote for.
- Responsa - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:49 am:
Anyone who has an 83 year old in their family (beloved and deeply respected though they are) deep down knows that they have neither the stamina nor fresh ideas to run an organization or business now at this stage of their lives. Jesse had it right when he said in 2015 that he would not run again. It’s kind of sad that apparently he can not see anyone waiting in the wings to take on the Dem SOS mantle.
- Juvenal - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:51 am:
John Shimkus ran in 1996 with term limits as a central theme of his campaign, promising to serve no more than 12 years.
If you wanna argue he is unfit for office due to his age, be my guest. Pretty sure he is happy to test his fitness against Rauner and the rest of the GOP field.
You wanna start with arm-wrestling or the 100M?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:54 am:
- Responsa -
Not many can “keep up” with Secretary White.
White might use the Reagan…
“I won’t hold against my opponent their youth” schtick.
- City Zen - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:23 pm:
Could Jesse have the most profitable pension for the state? At this rate, he may never pull from it. Plus I wonder with compounding COLA if his pension today would be higher than his salary?
- Gobblers Knob - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
Kuddos to Jesse White. Not a Democrat but it is refreshing to have an elected official that simply does his job year in and year out without great fanfare. Wish we had more like him on both sides of the aisle running our State
To all the term limit freaks out there, Demoralized @ 10:55 beats me to it.
If he has changed his mind and is willing to aptly serve our State once again, the fact that he is older should not be railed against him.
- blue dog dem - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 3:51 pm:
I am glad. Saves four years of he drawing a pension and someone else drawing the SOS salary.
- anon2 - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 6:39 pm:
==If an R did that he or she would be skewered.==
Congressman Shimkus survived the criticism.
- Late to the Party - Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 6:52 am:
Jesse White will be re-elected. Then he will resign. And then the heir will be named.
I call shenanigans.
- Flippy - Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 9:10 am:
“Jesse White will be re-elected. Then he will resign. And then the heir will be named.”
Not if BVR wins reelection. Governor appoints replacement Constitutional Officers for two years then special election. See JBT–>Munger–>Mendoza.
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