[Reader comments are now open on this post.]
* Here’s how it went down…
Pizer is supported by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
*** UPDATE *** Margaret Croke campaign…
This Sunday, 38 days before voters have the opportunity to vote for the next State Representative for Illinois’ 12th House District, Chicago Democratic Party insiders rubber stamped the appointment of Jonathan Pizer in an attempt to boost his chances in the March primary election. Margaret Croke attended the forum but did not seek the appointment, citing a lack of transparency and accountability to voters in the process.
“This decision deprives voters of a voice in our democratic process and it is exactly what’s wrong with politics in Illinois. At a time when legal, ethical, and moral scandals have shaken the foundation of our state, transparency, and accountability to the people of Illinois is paramount. People have lost faith in our state legislature and this only adds to that cynicism and discontent.
Appointing a candidate who is unelected and running for election in a month is undemocratic. This decision should be left to the voters on March 17th.
I stand with the hundreds of people who have come out to volunteer for these campaigns and the thousands of voters in this district who signed petitions to get six candidates on the ballot.
Simply put, the voters of this district deserve a vote.”
She did, however, apply. Click here to read part of her application.
…Adding… The Croke campaign explanation…
Margaret attended to address the committeemen and committeewomen in the room. She wanted to take the opportunity to speak against the process and when asked directly if she was seeking the appointment she said no. She was then asked to leave. She did not speak on behalf of her candidacy or present her credentials.
From Margaret:
“At the appointment session, I emphatically did not seek the appointment and that is exactly what I said to the committee. I believe that the voters of the district should decide their next representative and object to the appointment of any candidate currently on the ballot for an election only weeks away.”
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 9:25 am:
Have you ever looked at a state legislative race and asked yourself why a U.S. Senator from a different state would make an endorsement?
I have.
Jokes aside for folks seeking reforms on how we do elections in the state, this process should be at the very top of the list.
Even before the maps.
- New constituent - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 9:37 am:
Another insider deal. This guy just lost my vote.
- Bourbon Street - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 9:58 am:
Someone needs to inform the Croke campaign that the voters still get to vote in March and November.
The appointment process has flaws but it’s better than having a special election just weeks before the primary and it’s better to have someone actually represent the House 12th District rather than leaving the seat vacant until the new representatives are sworn in after the November election.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 10:05 am:
Re: an appointment process, in a state like Nevada, the county boards (or a committee of board chairs based on weighted vote if a district crosses county lines) make appointments. Would that be better here? Maybe, but probably not.
Special elections? Is tiny turnout really reflective of the democratic process some would claim to uphold? Look at states that hold special elections and see the difference between some of the results in a special election and the next regular election (or even the last regular election) for that same seat. There are often stark differences attributable only to turnout.
- hot air.... - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 10:13 am:
Croke’s application answer makes it clear she wanted the appointment. I didn’t see her say anything about this process, reforming this process, or supporting a “caretaker” until the very end and when she herself did not get the appointment. She knew this appointment would be made a month before the election when she entered the race and said nothing about it. To criticize “Chicago Democratic Party insiders” for making the appointment is a little rich, considering all of her party insider endorsements.
Croke should clarify if she supports actual reforms to the appointment process or if she is just critical this time because of the timing. And she should be grilled why she did not speak up sooner.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 10:18 am:
=== Chicago Democratic Party insiders rubber stamped the appointment===
… says the candidate with an alderman, county commissioner, and others deemed Democratic leaders, some may say insiders.
There’s less than 40 days until the primary, this is an instance of letting the candidate and campaign vent, but why do it with a public type whining?
Just win in March, then beef.
- low level - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 10:28 am:
Croke makes absolutely no sense. That is the nuttiest response I think I’ve ever heard. She worked for Rahm’s IGA, yes?
She has a position w DCEO and her facebook page shows how close she is to the governor. Her husband is at a high powered Chicago law firm and campaign disclosures show how much she has raised from people w a lot of clout, yet after all that “Chicago Democratic Party insiders” are to blame.
The oniy one who really spoke out against the process was Kim Walz, who issued a statement and didnt attend.
- hot air.... - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 11:04 am:
Also, I got a mailer from Croke that says “In Springfield, I will make the following my priorities…” The application asks “What would be your top priorities as State Representative?” The mail and the application answers list two sets of priorities, only sometimes overlapping. The application “priorities” makes no reference to any kind of ethics reform (making her post-endorsement tantrum all the richer) and makes no direct call for advancing LGBTQ rights (a killer for this district, which includes all of Boystown). Also, her campaign website does not include any ethics/reform on her issues page.
Looks like a bit of a dysfunctional campaign operation without much message discipline.
- Leatherneck - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 12:56 pm:
Is Margaret Croke related to Ryan Croke? (Quinn’s last Chief of Staff, and a key figure in the IDOT “staff assistant” controversy).
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 2:35 pm:
===a key figure===
Leading fibber to the court appointed Special Master.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 2:57 pm:
Sean Tenner would have been great for the seat as a placeholder, and it would have kept this clean. Pizer did nothing wrong, but come on Tunney and Burnett… We all see right through this.
- low level - Monday, Feb 10, 20 @ 3:48 pm:
== Have you ever looked at a state legislative race and asked yourself why a U.S. Senator from a different state would make an endorsement?==
Or former ambassadors as Rich mentioned in his post when Croke rolled out her endorsements. I dont think I’ve ever seen ambassadors endorse in a state legislative race. Kinda weird. Not much foreign policy made in Springfield, you know.