* I wasn’t on the RAGA press release list until Friday, so I missed this when it was issued and found it over the weekend while looking for something else…
The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) released the following statement on the news that Illinois State Rep. Scott Drury, who has run a lackluster campaign for Governor up until now, is now running for attorney general.
“If the name Scott Drury doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone,” said RAGA Executive Director Scott Will. “Drury’s campaign for governor has been a mere blip on the radar since his announcement. Only after realizing that his campaign for governor has no traction, he’s now decided to shop around and landed on running for AG. The attorney general’s office should not be considered a consolation prize when your campaign for governor goes up in smoke. Illinois has had a long history of self-serving politicians exacerbating public corruption – it’s time the state gets a candidate serious about rooting it out, instead of electing a political opportunist like Scott Drury.”
Ouch.
The Illinois Republican Party was mostly silent on Drury’s gubernatorial campaign because it was based almost solely on Speaker Madigan, so he was actually helping the ILGOP. But that particular campaign has ended and a new one has begun.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
I dunno - I smell a little kabuki, or at least “going through the motions,” and expect some Rauner dark money thrown his way. I mean, what is the Republican Attorneys General Association supposed to say? Drury’s A.G. campaign is going to be about Speaker Madigan too and my guess is the ILGOP will be happy to amplify that message.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
===and expect some Rauner dark money thrown his way.===
That’s pretty much your whole strategy, isn’t it?
- filanges - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
I imagine that ownership of the IL GOP is trying to decide if he wants Drury to make it to the general to help Gov Rauner’s message, or if he actually wants to try to win the AG office. Coin toss . . .
- lake county democrat - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 12:44 pm:
@47th - sorry, I’ve never been involved in a state office race (but have volunteered on the anti-gerrymandering petitions). You forgot relying on racist Dem voters who repeat the LaRouchie experience of the 80’s and vote for Drury based on his name alone (depending on who else is in the ballot) and media like the Tribune taking up his cause. But yeah, I don’t see a lot of deep pocket Dem donors giving him a lot of money and I don’t think he can overcome his relative obscurity without it.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
Are you sure, LCD? You sure sound a LOT like Drury. I have a substantial wager going that you’re actually Drury himself, or otherwise very closely affiliated with him. Am I wrong?
- Iggy - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
Does anyone seriously consider Scott Drury a viable candidate for any race? Might be time to pack it in Scotty…
- Just Observing - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 1:06 pm:
=== Does anyone seriously consider Scott Drury a viable candidate for any race? Might be time to pack it in Scotty… ===
I think if he were to drop out of the AG race and run for re-election as state rep he would be a viable candidate. I also think he could possibly be a viable candidate for Lake County State’s Attorney.
- Iggy - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 1:08 pm:
Just Observing, my apologies I meant for any statewide race. Im sure he could eek out another win in his current rep. district. I don’t know enough about Lake County politics so I will have to take your word on this one.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 1:23 pm:
47th - sorry to disappoint! I’ve actually been critical of Drury a couple of times here - I don’t think the real Scott Drury would be capable of that.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
OK, thanks LCD.
Dang it! I owe Chicago Cynic $1.
- LakeEffect - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
Well, Drury has been in the AGs race for 6 days and has raised 700% of the A1 money he raised in his last ten weeks as a Gov candidate. I think plenty of dem donors will take his candidacy quite seriously. Kwame ain’t a billionaire, and he ain’t a Kennedy. Kwame isn’t even Daniel Biss.
- Morty - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 6:46 pm:
‘Are you sure, LCD? You sure sound a LOT like Drury. I have a substantial wager going that you’re actually Drury himself, or otherwise very closely affiliated with him. Am I wrong?’
Your not nuts with the suspicion…I thought so as well
- Morty - Monday, Sep 25, 17 @ 6:51 pm:
Not sure if it’s a lag post or if I hit a banned word, but what LCD says seems legit. Drury is incapable of self-reflection