* Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) filed to run for secretary of state today.
Hastings’ statement…
As I noted when petitions were first starting to circulate a few weeks ago, I believe you succeed in politics and in life when you are prepared. With recent political retirements and shakeups, and rumors circulating that Secretary White’s alderman was circulating petitions for the office, I wanted to be ready in case his intention to run for re-election changed.
* In case you missed it, here’s background from September…
“I don’t intend to run against Jesse White, I’ll tell you that right now,” [Hastings] said, adding that he’s only circulating petitions because he’s heard the same rumors we talked about yesterday, that secretary of state petitions are being circulated for Ald. Walter Burnett, who is Secretary White’s guy, and that White would drop out late in the game and Burnett would be ready to go. Secretary White’s office flatly denied those rumors.
I’m told that Sen. Hastings will wait and see what happens the rest of today and through next week before deciding what to do with his petitions.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Sen. Hastings sent me a new statement…
As I noted when petitions were first starting to circulate a few weeks ago, I believe you succeed in politics and in life when you are prepared.
With recent political retirements and shakeups, and rumors circulating that Secretary White may not run for re-election, I wanted to be ready in case his intention to run for re-election changed.
I have great respect for Secretary White and the years of service he has provided this great state. During his tenure, the Secretary has transformed the Office into an efficient and well-regarded Office.
If Secretary White does indeed decide to retire, I am ready to step-up and continue his great work.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Won’t rule it out? Hoo, boy…
*** UPDATE 3 *** From the White campaign…
Jesse left Hastings a voicemail this morning to clearly state that Jesse’s running for re-election. He did not get a return call. As always, Jesse will be running on his record of accomplishments and plans for the future.
- Too Much to Handle - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
I didn’t see that he filed his petitions for the state senate.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
Did Ives actually not file for the election?
I’m new to reading these, so I’m not sure if there is a delay between filing and showing up on the state board of elections website. Although I do see filings that took place right at 5pm.
Did someone talk her out of running at the last minute?
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
What that doesn’t say is that Hastings will drop out if White runs.
- hold on - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
Ives would show up if she filed already..what’s going on with that?
- Anon - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
> I didn’t see that he filed his petitions for the state senate
He’s not up. That seat is a 4-4-2 (2016, 2020, 2022)
- cicom - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:36 pm:
a little presumptive, eh?
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:42 pm:
“What that doesn’t say is that Hastings will drop out if White runs.”
“Won’t rule it out? Hoo, boy…”
As I said…
- Nick - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:42 pm:
After going through the work of circulating petitions, I don’t really see the downside of just being a “name” on the ballot. Announce to the public that you are not actively running, but don’t formally withdraw the petitions. If something crazy were to happen to White, Hastings would be in a good position to capitalize.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:44 pm:
Darn. Ives is showing up as filed now.
I made all this popcorn for nothing.
- Actual Red - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:49 pm:
==TheInvisbleMan==
Less popcorn now, but I think the potential is high for more popcorn down the road.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:49 pm:
“After going through the work of circulating petitions, I don’t really see the downside of just being a “name” on the ballot. Announce to the public that you are not actively running, but don’t formally withdraw the petitions. If something crazy were to happen to White, Hastings would be in a good position to capitalize.”
Can’t run for both offices. Have to choose.
- Sheeesh - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:50 pm:
I’m no fan of Hastings politics but I genuinely like the guy. Maybe he wouldn’t have botched the roll out of our disastrous new license plates.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:51 pm:
===Can’t run for both offices.===
Hastings isn’t up for Senate.
- Nick - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:52 pm:
Chicago Cynic, what other office are you referring to?
- Because I said so.... - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:53 pm:
Hastings is a hard worker, smart and politically savvy. This might be interesting.
- Anoniphone - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:55 pm:
Ah. I see she filed.
- Nieva - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:02 pm:
I expect Jessie to run and be reelected. Then retire and allow a hand-picked replacement. Happens all the time down here. Phelps for a Phelps, Mayor Butler in Marion.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:09 pm:
Nieva, who’s up to replace Mayor Butler?
- Nick - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:14 pm:
Certainly a risk to challenge the state’s most successful and accomplished elected official, but taking on the the only African-American constitutional officer could come back to bite him in his home district.
- Anonymous - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:15 pm:
Hastings unguarded comment while in line probably reflects his true feelings and ambitions tho not his publicly intended ones. In a world of political ambitions, he is perhaps th most brazen I’ve ever seen
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:30 pm:
I had heard he was filing for Senate. Didn’t realize he wasn’t up. Oops.
- Brasstacks - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:45 pm:
Hastings filing for secretary of state is a very bold political move. You have to give it to him, with Luis Gutierrez stepping down and causing chaos why should he not be prepared in the event an 83-year-old Secretary of State chose to step down at the last minute. I’m sure he’ll make the right decision in the end, but in the meantime, two words: brass tacks
- Nieva - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 6:00 pm:
Arthur it is Ranella.
- What Time Is Lunch - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 6:20 pm:
Mr. Hastings, may I show you the Eisendrath Suite reserved for those overly ambitious young Dem pols from second tier political families who don’t like to wait their turn?
- Just Me - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 6:46 pm:
Accomplishments? Just what are those accomplishments?
I remember having to schlep out to the SOS facility a couple years ago when my wallet was stolen. There were about 50 parking spots by the front door reserved for SOS employees, and every employee I interacted with behaved as though they were doing me a favor by helping me and I should be thankful for the opportunity to wait in line for an hour. If there was ever a government office that needed some private sector experience it was the SOS.
- Gooner - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 7:11 pm:
While I don’t question the guy for running, his chance of winning seem slim.
For most of us, getting a driver’s license renewed is remarkably easy, and for those of us who need access to corporate records, getting the records (or advice on how to file) is pretty easy.
A lot of people like Sec. White personally, but as importantly, he runs the best and most efficient office in the state.
- DuPage Dave - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 7:20 pm:
Jesse White should have kept his word and made the current term his last. He’s been around long enough.
- blue dog dem - Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 8:35 pm:
Run Jesse Run. Save that pension money.
- Jennifer Powers - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 6:53 am:
If you spell Jesse White as Jessie, you have no business commenting on this thread. Get a clue.
- SaulGoodman - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 8:44 am:
**If there was ever a government office that needed some private sector experience it was the SOS.**
All I’ll say is that you have had a completely different experience than I have at the SOS office. Every time I have been there it has been an incredibly easy and efficient process. It’s been better than any other government office I’ve experienced that I’ve had to receive some form of services from.
- Yiddishcowboy - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 8:52 am:
@Jennifer Powers: Too funny. I was thinking the same thing last night.
- NorthsideNoMore - Tuesday, Dec 5, 17 @ 9:01 am:
White wanted to pick his successor Hastings took umbrage with that, may be good move on his part. He is in a really safe district so he has no particular worries there gets state wide name recognition check the box. New era is rolling through, may as ewell be on the front end.