* This is a pretty good summary of what went on and how it could play out…

State senators gathered at the Best Western Hillside earlier this week to talk about rules for electing the chamber’s next president and to hear from the three contenders vying for the job that opens up when Sen. John Cullerton retires from the General Assembly later this month.

The candidates — Don Harmon, Kimberly Lightford and Elgie Sims (in alphabetical order, FYI) — impressed their colleagues. “They all had good ideas. It’s going to come down to leadership style,” one senator told Playbook. […]

Senators have good reason to hold back on their endorsements: They’re either angling for a leadership position with whoever will offer it, or they don’t want to risk alienating the next president if they align with a losing candidate. […]

Sims heads one group. He’s a former state representative who’s been a senator since 2018. He’s not likely to be named Senate president, but throwing his name in the ring gives him bargaining power for a leadership position. A few senators (at least two) have committed to Sims as president so that gives him a bloc that could sway the decision toward Harmon or Lightford. One thing to watch: If Sims announces his support early, it may signal who will win the presidency. Sims will support the winner.

The second group includes 11 moderate-to-conservative Democrats who call themselves the “X” Caucus because they couldn’t otherwise come up with a name. The group is loosely headed by state Sen. Steve Landek of the 12th District. Members are scheduled to meet next week to discuss the vote. What they decide coming out of that meeting could shift the game entirely.

A more progressive third group includes Sens. Omar Aquino, Robert Martwick, Robert Peters and Ram Villivalam.

Some senators in the three groups are also members of the Women’s, Black or Latino caucuses, which have their own priorities. And don’t forget the Republicans. If Democrats don’t come out of their caucus with the full support of one candidate, Republicans could muddle things when the full chamber meets to finalize the decision.

There’s also an unofficial generational alliance — senators who are skeptical of old-school politics and practices. Will that play out in the decision-making?

I just don’t think the Democrats will take this fight to the full chamber, but weirder things have happened. It’s also possible that a new candidate could emerge if none of the three garner enough votes, but it’s probably too early to say anything for sure.