I stand by my story
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Um…
Sunday can’t come soon enough for state senators who will gather in Springfield that day to elect a new Senate president. There was buzz Monday fueled by blogger Rich Miller and WCIA reporter Mark Maxwell that state Sen. Elgie Sims was backing out of the race and endorsing Kimberly Lightford over Don Harmon. But a source close to Sims tells Playbook he’s still deciding. So we wait.
First of all, Lightford herself told Maxwell that Sims was backing her. The interview is not online yet, so I asked Mark for the transcript…
Mark Maxwell: Do you have the support of Senator Sims?
Senator Kim Lightford: I do.
MM: That seems like a significant development.
KL: It is. Senator Sims is a capable member of our caucus. I’m honored to have received his support.
MM: What got him across the line?
KL: I think he just realized that I’m the person to lead the caucus in a new direction with a lot of creativity, a lot of new ideas on how we can collectively come together and collaborate. He and I just spoke about it a number of times as we’ve been campaigning along the way. I’m just really glad that he’s decided that I would be a better fit for it for the race.
MM: Can we presume that means he’s bringing a few votes along with him?
KL: I’m not certainly sure about the level of support the Senator has arrived at, but I know for he and I, we have a good understanding of where he wants to be.
And I talked to Sims and the Senator told me he’s endorsing Lightford.
- Suzzz - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:15 am:
So who is still reading Politico’s newsletter? I read it for the hilarious hot takes that are so far off from reality that it’s just fun. But I sincerely hope no one is still reading it for actual information.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:17 am:
“You come at the king, you best not miss…”
- fluffery - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:20 am:
Shia gonna Shia
- ZC - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:25 am:
Sims > “a source close to Sims.” Advantage Miller
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:25 am:
For the love of Pete, Shia Kapos.
At this point I’m trying to figure out if you’re Thora or Thessaly Thacker.
I’m hearing the Hearst syndicate is looking for a gossip columnist…
- Les - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:28 am:
There is a distinct possibility that all the media reports are correct because there is a distinct possibility that Elgie Sims is telling different people different things.
- Billy Sunday - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:32 am:
Can we simply call/interview Sen. Sims?? Let’s end the speculation…
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:32 am:
People, take it easy on the insults.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:40 am:
===Can we simply call/interview Sen. Sims?===
Can you not read? I did talk to Sims.
- Under Influenced... - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:48 am:
Harmon camp getting desperate.
- SaulGoodman - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:21 am:
** Harmon camp getting desperate.**
From what I’m hearing he most definitely isn’t getting desperate. And doesn’t need to be.
- doofusguy - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:16 pm:
to paraphrase Charles Pierce - Tiger Beat on the Sangamon
- Telly - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:34 pm:
One of the consequences of voting by secret ballot is that some senators are going to be less than completely honest about how they’re going to cast their ballot. I don’t envy Lightford and Harmon.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 12:47 pm:
press on press. wild.