* More in a bit…
Video is here.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth endorsed JB Pritzker for governor at a campaign event in Chicago. The two endorsements come as support for JB Pritzker continues to grow throughout the state with endorsements from Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, the Illinois AFL-CIO, and over 30 individual unions.
As the Senior Senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin has served in the U.S. Senate since 1997, and is currently the Democratic Whip. He is a tireless advocate for our state, fighting to strengthen the economy through infrastructure funding and standing up for immigrant families and Dreamers. Senator Tammy Duckworth was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 after representing Illinois’ Eighth Congressional District for two terms. She is an Iraq War Veteran, a purple heart recipient, and one of the first Army women to fly combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has been a relentless advocate for working families and Veterans during her time in public service.
“Senator Duckworth and Senator Durbin are fighting for our values every single day,” said JB Pritzker. “But they can’t do it alone. They need all of us. I’ve introduced bold plans to move our state forward and I will continue to do so throughout this campaign and as governor of this state. We’re going to have to unite and turn our energy and ideas into victories. With Senator Durbin and Senator Duckworth on our side, with over 30 individual unions and the 900,000 members of the statewide AFL-CIO, with elected leaders and issue advocates speaking out on behalf of this campaign, and with the support of hundreds of thousands of working families across this state, we are united and ready for the fight.”
“I’m proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor because he will be a strong partner and an effective leader for our state,” said Senator Durbin. “I’ve spoken with all the Democratic candidates and heard their visions for our state, and JB has emerged as the clear choice for governor. JB has traveled across Illinois, hearing from people in Rockford and Cairo, Macomb and Danville, and everywhere in between. He has thoughtful and comprehensive policy plans on the issues that matter to Illinoisans. He has shown continued support for immigrants and the Dream Act, protecting health care for all, and creating new and good paying jobs in Illinois — all things that will make Illinois stronger.”
“I’m proud to endorse JB because I know he is ready to fight for working families in Springfield,” said Senator Duckworth. “With JB, I know I’ll have a partner in the governor’s office who will work to create good jobs, help give Veterans the support and opportunity they deserve, and make sure every child gets a quality education. JB understands that pitting Illinois communities against each other is no way to govern, and I’m confident he will work for every Illinoisan as governor. I know JB can bring Democrats together to beat Bruce Rauner and win up and down the ticket, across the state.”
- Cicom - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:08 pm:
Looks like the Biss message did not make it through to the Senators..
- Anonish - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:13 pm:
Because Madigan?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:19 pm:
=== “IL is coming together with a common purpose, beating Bruce Rauner.”===
Hmm. Seems to be a bigger, broader message of unity rolling out there…
- Batman - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:25 pm:
the inevitable rauner downfall is coming….pritzker is our huckleberry
- anon2 - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
I guess this would make Senators Durbin and Duckworth part of what Kennedy calls the “corrupt” cabal.
- anon2 - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:30 pm:
Correction: It was Rauner who called it a corrupt cabal. Kennedy called it political insiders with a rigged property tax system.
- Sue - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:35 pm:
Shocked!! LOL. How long before the coronation.
- BucknIrish - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:38 pm:
Mike Madigan and the US Senators he controls
- OneMan - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:55 pm:
Hey, we told you not to vote for the rich guy with no experience in elective office last time, but we got our own rich guy with no experience in elective office so now we think that is a dandy idea.
- Retired Educator - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:00 pm:
This is big for Pritzer. When the two sitting Senators endorse a candidate this early, the primary just got almost impossible for the others running. I know the spin will come, and folks will downplay the endorsements, but This Is Big for Pritzer.
- Retired Educator - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
Sorry I seem to have misspelled Pritzker’s name. I swear I hit the K both times.
- Thomas Stepp - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
Interesting, I don’t really care for Pritzker as a candidate but he seems to be the only one sending a message so vibrantly. I think this endorsement solidifies that.
- Ahoy! - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:22 pm:
Yes, the establishment loves them some big money.
- DuPage Bard - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
This is a big deal. It’ll be interesting to see Kennedy and Biss try to pivot that Durbin and Duckworth are Joe Berrios pawns.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:56 pm:
Mike Madigan and the US Senators he controls.
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
Money talks and other stuff walks
- Arsenal - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 2:13 pm:
Kinda surprised they stepped in.
I guess the only real big endorsement possibilities left are the public sector unions.
- wordslinger - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:00 pm:
This just in: Biss discovers Dem establishment backing Pritzker, and that hitting own head with a hammer hurts.
And when is “clearing the field” not clearing the field? When six candidates file for governor, to the great advantage of the candidate with the most money and organizational support.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 3:19 pm:
Money in politics isn’t good until it’s your candidates money. Durbin has spoken out against Super PAC’s but I guess that doesn’t matter now. While Rauner can’t clearly articulate how the Dems (with help from long term Repubs) have destroyed this state it doesn’t change the facts that Madigan et al are responsible. Maybe Pritzker will be independent but I don’t have real hope that this will be true.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 4:44 pm:
“This just in: Biss discovers Dem establishment backing Pritzker, and that hitting own head with a hammer hurts.”
Funny stuff.