* From the Champaign News-Gazette…
The best candidate in the race is party apostate Drury, who has committed the unpardonable sin of breaking politically and publicly with Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Other candidates may pay lip service to politics-as-usual. But Drury is the only one who, in both word and deed, made it clear that he is a new type of Democrat trying to build a new type of Democratic Party in Illinois.
As a former federal prosecutor, Drury is clearly suited to hold the position he seeks. As a sincere reformer, the liberal Drury represents a beacon of hope for Democrats, as well as independents and Republicans who are as sick of Illinois’ corrupt and dysfunctional state government.
Being an ambitious Democrat in Illinois requires fealty to Michael Madigan in one way or another. All he asks is loyalty to doing things his way when he wants things to go his way. The cost to Illinois of his long, blinkered leadership has been high. […]
Michael Madigan & Co. are working hard to ensure Drury’s defeat in the primary election. They did their best to knock him off the ballot altogether through a frivolous objection. But Drury is on the ballot, and Democrats won’t go wrong in supporting him.
Illinois must change to survive. Business-as-usual is killing this state, and Drury is anything but business-as-usual.
* Drury’s questionable ballot status was one factor in preventing early voting from starting in every county. But it’s now underway all over the state…
The State Board of Elections says about 30 voting districts were not ready to sign off on all of the candidates when early voting started. Some were still dealing with ballot challenges, which meant they could have been pulled from the race at any time.
Early voting was supposed to begin nearly two weeks ago. The last real roadblock was a case against Democratic attorney general candidate Scott Drury, which was resolved last week.
* Drury, by the way, got name-checked by Republican Illinois House candidate Mike Babcock…
“Political operative Kevin Quinn’s treatment of women is disgusting and the warning signs about his behavior were everywhere,” Babcock said in the statement. “Speaker Madigan is out of touch and turned a blind eye. He should immediately resign as Speaker of the House and as head of the Illinois Democratic Party.”
Babcock also challenged Rep. Monica Bristow, his Democratic opponent in the November election, to call for Madigan’s resignation as well.
“Will she stand up for the victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment, or continue bowing to the pressure of Madigan and look the other way?” Babcock said. “I pledge to not vote for him as speaker if elected, and challenge Bristow to publicly commit to do the same.
“Democrat State Representative, Scott Drury, has demanded Madigan resign. Yet, Representative Bristow remains silent,” said Babcock. “Monica’s silence speaks volumes.”
* Other stuff…
* AG candidate Fairley touts uniqueness
* Jesse Ruiz will fight opioid manufacturers
* Mariotti promises to fight for working class people
- Fixer - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:39 am:
Not strong enough. It took a full three paragraphs for them to say he was a former federal prosecutor. Everyone needs reminded of that right off the batt.
- Sue - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:41 am:
Who betted to be AG then a former federal prosecutor not beholden to the usual suspects. Kind of like Pat Fitzgerald
- Redraider - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 10:47 am:
Do they hand out clocks with the endorsement
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:06 am:
In a race this tight, he has a chance….
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:24 am:
This race is an excellent barometer of how anti Madigan Democratic pimary voters actually are.
Drury is the only rep to “stand on the stairs” and follow popular opinion not vote for Mike Madigan for Speaker.
What a referendum on Mike Madigan if his daughter was replaced by his biggest adversary in the House.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:29 am:
===What a referendum on Mike Madigan if his daughter was replaced by his biggest adversary in the House===
And if Drury loses?
- walker - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:38 am:
“”Kind of like Pat Fitzgerald”"
Sue, I bet even you know what a stretch that comparison is.
LOL. Thanks.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:50 am:
And if Drury loses?
Depends who wins
The establishment is trying to prop up Kwame Raoul
Of the 8 candidates he is the most likely to underperform
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 11:55 am:
===he is the most likely to underperform ===
And if he wins?
- PJ - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
==And if he wins?==
LP knocks down some other straw man and pretends this never happened.
- OurMagician - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:30 pm:
==And if he wins?==
Then this quote gets played to death
“I think Lisa would have acquitted herself well against Miss America. I don’t know what’s behind the attorney general’s decision … but I doubt seriously it was any fear of Erika Harold.”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 12:31 pm:
In a race like this, PQ will win.
- Man with a Plan - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:05 pm:
Tried to knock him off ballot through a “frivolous objection” that was upheld twice.
- Jibba - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:10 pm:
Dog bites man. The NG is ultra conservative and virulently anti-Madigan, so they take any chance they can get to tweak him.
- Jibba - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:18 pm:
If Drury wins, wait for the NG endorsement in the general. Right now, Drury is “clearly suited” , a “sincere reformer”, and a “beacon of hope” for both parties. But a junior partner lawyer with little experience will be recommended over him.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:39 pm:
==frivolous objection==
It was a valid objection. I’m not sure how I feel about an Attorney General candidate who can’t follow the rules of getting on a ballot.
- kitty - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:57 pm:
The NG editorial board is out of touch with the majority of its readership in the C-U Metro area. It supports Drury because he opposes Madigan and will endorse Rauner as it supports 100 percent of his agenda to diminish labor and the middle class.
- DarkHorse - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:06 pm:
Per the objectionable Raoul “Miss America” quote, in a #MeToo year he loses to Harold. On the other hand, I can’t imagine Harold beating Fairley. Dem primary voters should consider the general election.
- SSL - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:07 pm:
I can’t see Drury winning, but it is fun to think of Madigan twisting in the wind as we wait.
- Capitol Steps - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:34 pm:
==Dem primary voters should consider the general election==
Because Drury is “Madigan-proof,” the primary is much more difficult for him than the general. Moderate Republicans and independents will flock to Drury over either of the current Republican candidates.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:36 pm:
This is a nice get and a nicer write-up for Drury.
It’s an important reminder that the politics, persona, image, and resume are a package when parsed can highlight the strengths of candidates to bolster where weakness exist.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:53 pm:
Wouldnt it be fun if Lisa were on the ballot come November?