* Michelle Harris press release…
Over the past few days since announcing my intention to seek the nomination for Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, I have had dozens of conversations with members of the State Central Committee seeking their support. Today I am proud to announce the endorsement of a regionally diverse group of IL State Central Committee members:
Hon. Bobby Rush, CD-1
Hon. John Cullerton, CD-5
Hon. Cynthia Santos, CD-5
Hon. Danny Davis, CD-7
Hon. Karen Yarbrough, CD-7
Hon. Jerry Costello, CD-12
Hon. Kathy West, CD-12
Hon. Brandon Phelps, CD-15
I am honored to have the support of this group of Illinois State Central Committee members from around the state. These individuals, many of whom are current or former public servants, work every day to make the Democratic Party in Illinois more inclusive and welcoming to people all across the state. My reason for running to become Chair is because I want to build a party that works for every Democrat in all 102 counties, and the ideas and activism of all my colleagues on the State Central Committee will help me ensure we hit the ground running to accomplish that goal.
* Meanwhile…
February 25, 2021
Dear State Central Committeepersons:
We are proud to endorse Congresswoman Robin Kelly for Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
There is an urgent need for a leader of the Democratic Party with the experience and dedication to elect Democrats up and down the ballot from every corner of the state.
Robin’s experience as a State Representative, Chief of Staff of the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, and as a United States Congresswoman is what the party needs. Her integrity is unmatched, and can help build the bench from the ground up.
Democrats have made unprecedented gains in Lake County in recent years, and we know that Robin is the right partner to solidify our progress and help us continue to elect strong candidates at all levels of government.
We urge the State Central Committee to pass the baton to U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly.
Sincerely,
Illinois State Representative Daniel Didech (59th District)
Illinois State Representative Rita Mayfield (60th District)
Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan (58th District)
Illinois State Representative Sam Yingling (62nd District)
No Senators on that list of people who are not on the central committee.
* Also…
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch on Wednesday declined to weigh in on who should replace Mike Madigan as state Democratic Party leader, downplayed his contact with Madigan’s short-lived House successor and defended allowing party officials to take another crack at filling the vacancy.
“If there’s a vacancy they have a right to do that,” Welch said of the Democratic leaders legally charged with making such appointments. “I do believe that different committeepeople do different things, and we could probably encourage and hope that they would do things in a more open and transparent manner.” […]
He steered clear of the “inner-party squabbles” that Madigan’s resignation as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois sparked, saying he’s going to “support the Democrat — whoever wins that race, I think, will be someone with the ability to lead our party.”
“I want that person who is leading the party to work with me to help get Democrats elected to the Illinois House, and I’m confident that any of those people … will help us get Democrats elected,” Welch said. “I think the best thing for me to do is to sit back and let that thing resolve itself.”
- Nagidam - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:22 am:
Downstate guys Costello and Phelps sticking it to Durbin is hilarious.
- d - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:24 am:
Well, Costello works for the Governor, and Phelps wants the bills he lobbies signed. So probably not surprising
- west wing - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:28 am:
The best choice is someone who has experience statewide, and that candidate is U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. She’s got the experience, perspective and political skills to continue the trend of red to blue in the suburbs and stop the blue to red in major downstate areas.
- Chicago - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:44 am:
There is a total of 36 State Central Committee members they both have a long way to go.
- Machine Redux - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:44 am:
Harris is a solid choice- but is not independent from Pritzker. Apparently Hynes and Pritzker hand selected Harris weeks ago and are prepared to dictate all personnel choices at DPi including appointing Quentin Fulks as executive director. Is this really the direction the party should go after at long last escaping out from under the Madigan era?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:47 am:
===Phelps wants the bills he lobbies signed===
If that was the case, he’d go with Castro, who chairs the Executive Committee.
===after at long last escaping out from under===
LOL. So, hand the keys over to the US Senator’s top dude instead?
The governor of every state controls the state party. Same goes for POTUS.
- Predecessorage - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:48 am:
Drip. Drip. Drip. Strategic to show southern Illinois strength as message to Durbin & Houlihan and others south of I-80 thinking about their decision.
- Southern Skeptic - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 11:57 am:
Harris announced eight actual voting members of the State Central Committee. Kelly announced state reps who don’t vote. These two announcements are not equal.
- Machine Redux - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 12:01 pm:
—…Senators top dude instead—
There is no reason to believe that Rep. Kelly is anyone’s pawn. She has long demonstrated an independent streak. The DPI chair and central committee should be in charge of hiring decisions- not the Governor.
- Former Downstater - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 12:08 pm:
==Downstate guys Costello and Phelps sticking it to Durbin is hilarious.==
Makes you wonder what persuasive tactics the Governor and his people are using with them.
- walker - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 12:54 pm:
CD9 (Cabonargi and Ronen) actually have the most Dem weighted vote.– and some north suburban state reps.
- GetitRight - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 12:54 pm:
Why can’t the Governor and JB weigh in? They are at the top of the ballot and having someone they trust and respect as the DPI Chair will matter to them. Whomever the Chair becomes will need the relationship with JB. It will be the key to success.
Harris is a good, solid choice. She runs one fo the best and most successful organizations and being from one of the poorest wards in Chicago, she will be able to relate to the economic hardship that is all over this state especially in downstate.
State Central Committee can and do think for themselves. To say other wise is nonsense and honestly disrespectful at this point.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 12:58 pm:
I have a feeling some of these formerly obscure State Central Committee members are going to regret the spotlight this puts on them. I can see this fight generating some challenges if the bad blood persists.
- Amalia - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
Interesting when the 2 reps for a CD split on whom they are supporting.
- Nagidam - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 1:10 pm:
===Makes you wonder what persuasive tactics the Governor and his people are using with them.===
The Governor does not have a great track record interfering in leadership fights. I think Phelps/Costello v Durbin could also be about a Southern Illinois fight around issues related to Southern Illinois University.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 2:17 pm:
I would be shocked if The central committee members from 8, 9, and 10 do not follow JB and Duckworth’s lead.
Kelly rolling out endorsements from State Reps and not central committee folks looks desperate.
Labor and trial lawyers must be burning up the phones.
- Peter Janko - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 2:59 pm:
Here is my statement regarding the selection of the next Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
It is what I will be looking for. It is a long list because there is a lot at stake.
Peter Janko
Democratic State Central Committeeman
14th Congressional District of Illinois
https://www.facebook.com/pete4illinois/posts/3511882645587987
- Boone's is Back - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 3:14 pm:
A Chicago Alderman for next Chair… that will do well to squander those super majorities. Also, committeepeople ain’t a word.
- Elmer Keith - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 3:36 pm:
I didn’t know Brandon Phelps was still circulating around, I thought Patrick Windhorst put a spike in the Phelps Harrisburg/Saline county dynasty.
Michelle Harris probably doesn’t know that Phelps and his sidekick Todd Vandermyde used Chicago resident Otis McDonald as the face man for their garbage concealed carry bill, then sold out Otis and every other gun owner in Illinois to the police unions with Duty to Inform.
Brandon Phelps is no friend to the black community, I don’t know why Harris would want to be associated with him. He should go back to his ecosystem of sundown town in southern Illinois.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Feb 25, 21 @ 3:54 pm:
I’m guessing Castro is just sitting, watching, eating popcorn and waiting for these two candidates to get so bad trashing each other that all the undecideds will say forget it and give her the nod.