* If you put a toxic name on a ward or township palm card, there’s a chance you could hurt the rest of your candidates. Something to keep in mind when reading this Greg Hinz story…
Joe Berrios is chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, and he has its official endorsement in his race for a new term as county assessor. But dozens of the party’s ward and township committeemen appear to be abandoning him—or even working for competitor Fritz Kaegi.
In calls and emails, officials throughout the county confirm that regardless of the party organization’s action, they’re leaving Berrios off of sample ballots and palm cards that precinct captains are distributing to voters in advance of the March 20 primary. And though Berrios retains the support of some of the county’s biggest-hitting committeemen, the exodus is occurring everywhere, in both Chicago proper and the suburbs, and among whites, Latinos and African-Americans. […]
Other predominantly African-American wards that either are leaving Berrios off their ballots or actively working for Kaegi include the 2nd, [3rd] 9th, 29th and 37th. […]
In the 30 suburban townships, the defection list is considerable—and growing. According to Kaegi, sample ballots in Niles, Evanston, Oak Park, New Trier, Northfield and Elk Grove Townships are with him or have taken a pass on the race.
There’s more, so click here.
- bored now - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:29 pm:
wow. thanks for posting that, rich…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:32 pm:
Palm cards tell more about the games and thoughts about GOTV than the usefulness in “today” in swaying undecided voters like they did in the past.
Some might say it’s a Luca Brasi message to one than a message to the voting masses.
- Grand Avenue - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:34 pm:
After Dorothy Brown’s blowout win two years ago, I won’t believe Berrios is done until I see the results on election night.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:41 pm:
If Brown hasn’t run again, the feds might not still be sniffing around. She may have won the battle but will lose the war.
- phocion - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:42 pm:
Agree with Grand Avenue. Sounds like a lot of happy talk from “progressive” politicians won’t be matched by a GOTV for Kaegi or a strong enough anti-Berrios message. Berrios winning could prove to be a real problem for Democrats going forward, and in the Governor’s race in November. Still, hoping for the best (Kaegi wins handily), but prepared for Berrios to win.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:42 pm:
Hadn’t.
- Casey - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:45 pm:
Berrios is experiencing karma….He left Barack Obama’s name off of official party literature back in 2008 because he wanted Hillary, although the party was for Barack….funny how everything comes full circle.
- TKMH - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:47 pm:
Can’t speak for all the orgs listed but New Trier Township Dems almost unanimously endorsed Kaegi in their endorsement meeting.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
Palm cards. There are political hacks who read palm cards like some little old ladies read tarot cards. At least tarot cards tell you something helpful.
Seriously, you’re about to walk into the polling place to vote and you’re undecided on the key races? In 1940 maybe, but in 2018, you’re only uninformed if you actively choose to be.
Palm cards: the buggy whip of campaign technology.
- Contract Disputin' - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:56 pm:
Saw lots of Davis/Kennedy/Kaegi/Boykin signs in 28 and 29 yesterday. Takes a lot of thought (or mental dissonance) to put those names on one sign.
- wordslinger - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 4:01 pm:
I’m with 47. I’ve voted in Cook for 30 years. I get a lot of lit and some door knocks.
I’ve never seen a palm card.
- TopHatMonocle - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 5:09 pm:
Sounds like he’s being left off the palm cards of committeemen who don’t even bother to pass them, with a few exceptions. Being on Madigan, Daley, and Burke’s palm cards move the needle more than being left off of all these.
- Rob - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 5:40 pm:
Know for a fact Berrios IS on 37th ward org slate card. And most importantly he is on County slate. Alot of orgs dont have passers out with their slate bu
t the party slate was mailed extensively.
- anon2 - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 6:13 pm:
With all the judicial races on the Democratic primary ballot in the county of Cook, palm cards can be very useful. It’s not as if County Assessor is among the top races, not with competitive races forgovernor and AG.
- Clinton Sabin - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 6:41 pm:
If Berrios wins I will lose what little faith I still had in our election system.
- Norridge - Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 10:17 pm:
Does anyone know where Rep. Martwick stands on this race? Is he still a paid consultant for Berrios? Maybe he does not have time for this race because he is busy with his 3rd job filing property tax appeals at Assessor Berrios’ office.
- Turtleit - Tuesday, Mar 13, 18 @ 12:50 am:
I just choked on my grape juice. New Trier Democrats have endorsed Kaegi? The lowest assessments and tax rates in the state want change? I cannot stop laughing……I honestly hope you get the change you want.
Is Berrios the anti-establishment candidate now?
This whole thing is beyond hysterical