* QC Times…
State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, has taken on an additional role after being elected Thursday night as Rock Island County Democratic Party Chairman. […]
Halpin may have set his sights higher though; he is considering running for Congress to represent the 17th District after U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, announced April 30 she would not seek re-election.
“I’m looking at it, but right now I am focused on finishing up the (legislative) session,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do in the last two weeks, so it’s not something I’m putting a lot of energy into right now. I’ll probably make a decision sometime over the summer.
“It’s fair to say I am considering it. I certainly haven’t made up my mind yet.”
* Press release…
The Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association voted Sunday to endorse Alexi Giannoulias for Illinois Secretary of State in the 2022 primary election.
“I’m honored to have earned the endorsements of so many accomplished and dedicated leaders, and I look forward to working with them in fighting for what’s important for Southern Illinois,” said Giannoulias who received the support of the 22-county-group as well as four other nearby counties. “Our campaign continues to build a strong broad-based coalition heading into the primary and Southern Illinois voters will play an important role in determining who wins the race.”
Giannoulias, a former Illinois State Treasurer who is the only Secretary of State candidate to have run and won statewide multiple times, received the endorsements during the group’s meeting at International Union of Operating Engineers Local 318 Hall in Marion.
Illinois Labor leader Ed Smith, CEO of ULLICO and Retired VP of LIUNA Midwest Region also pledged his support for Giannoulias.
“Alexi is genuine in his commitment to Southern Illinois families and our communities,” said Vivian Robinson, Vice Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party and 15th District State Central Democratic Committeewoman, representing 33 counties in the southern part of the state. “His dedication will continue as Secretary of State in promoting an ambitious agenda to increase safety on our roadways, modernize the office to make it easier to obtain necessary driver’s licenses and registrations, and strengthen the State’s ethics laws to prevent waste and corruption.”
“We know that Alexi will advocate on behalf of working families and work hard to rebuild the middle class, especially as we emerge from the COVID crisis,” said the President of the Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association and Perry County Chair Calen J. Campanella. “Alexi has a proven track record of standing with Southern Illinois and has the passion, vision and ideas that will help restore trust and build confidence in our elected officials and government.”
“The people of Southern Illinois are known for their toughness and resilience and no one embodies that better than Alexi,” said Jackson County Chair Mike Barone. “On issues that matter most in our community, Alexi has our backs and has been fighting beside us from the very start of his political career. He is the only candidate in the race with the experience, heart and vision to unite Illinois and move us forward.”
“We need leaders like Alexi who will serve as the next nominee of Secretary of State,” said Hardin County Chair Dennis Austin. “More than ever, now is the time for steady leadership from a proven leader who knows how to get things done. Throughout his career, Alexi has shown his ability to build coalitions and determination to fight for families, especially as we emerge from the pandemic.”
* Meanwhile…
On Saturday, May 15th, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association (IDCCA) invited announced Democratic candidates for Secretary of State to address the 102 Democratic Party County Chairs at the quarterly General Membership Meeting. Five candidates, Chicago Alderwoman Pat Dowell, former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, State Senator Michael Hastings, Chicago Alderman David Moore, and Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, spoke and took questions. Following the meeting, IDCCA President Kristina Zahorik issued the following statement:
“Illinois has so many great Democratic candidates looking to carry on and build upon the legacy of IDCCA Party Builder Honoree Secretary of State Jesse White. It will be an exciting primary. The five candidates shared their vision with us and look forward to meeting everyone in person as the state continues to open up. My fellow Chairs and I look forward to electing another great Democrat to serve the people of Illinois as Secretary of State.”
The scheduled meeting was conducted via Zoom. It was attended by nearly 70 County Chairs, along with invited guests Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Congresswoman Robin Kelly, US Senator Dick Durbin, candidate Comptroller Susana Mendoza, candidate Treasurer Mike Frerichs, and members of the IDCCA Leadership Circle.
The IDCCA has not endorsed any candidate planning on running in next year’s Democratic primary for Secretary of State.
- Scott Fawell's Cellmate - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 9:46 am:
Big downstate wins by Giannoulias, esp having Ed Smith in his corner.
- Arsenal - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 9:58 am:
Halpin is a good dude.
I have no idea if that means he’d be a good RICO chair or congressman. But he’s a good dude.
- ;) - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:03 am:
Remember that time when Alexi lost to a weak republican candidate statewide? Oh, ya, me too.
- walker - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:04 am:
Halpin is a straight talker and clear thinker.
- Responsa - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:13 am:
==“Alexi is genuine in his commitment to Southern Illinois families and our communities,” said Vivian Robinson,==
You can endorse, but it is foolish to proclaim that anybody knows what is in anybody else’s heart. Too many in all walks of life and professions have been proved wrong.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:14 am:
While others are thinking it’s an aldermanic runoff, Alexi is running with an actual statewide mindset.
Rod used downstate as the difference. Alexi gets that too.
The right GOP nominee… that race against Alexi is so ripe it’s almost “too ripe”.
Alexi and Frerichs, two real pickups, and Alexi is setting himself up to be that nominee.
- NUStud - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:29 am:
What exactly makes Frerichs vulnerable for his reelection? Who could GOP nominate that is winnable? How willing are people to split tickets for GOP now in a Dem leaning state. Alexi is easy to understand with baggage from the bank stuff.
- HonestAbeLives - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:30 am:
Gov. Pritzker sees the same issue with Alexi that everyone else sees - that a decent Republican can beat him. I doubt he will risk losing the SoS office. I fully expect that he will throw his resources behind any one of the other candidates, who would not be as weak as Alexi in the General.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:35 am:
=== What exactly makes Frerichs vulnerable for his reelection? Who could GOP nominate that is winnable? How willing are people to split tickets for GOP now in a Dem leaning state.===
Mike Frerichs stands TALL for taxing retirement income.
After the Fair Tax Flop, not seeing Frerichs as vulnerable to a few million reminding folks to vote against the Frerichs Tax makes one very vulnerable.
===How willing are people to split tickets for GOP now in a Dem leaning state.===
Have a candidate be on the record as one not minding looking at taxing retirement income.
- HonestAbeLives - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:42 am:
===How willing are people to split tickets for GOP now in a Dem leaning state?
Ask Alexi. Seems like a lot of folks went out of their way to vote for a Republican in the 2010 Senate race.
- ;) - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:52 am:
I’d be willing to split my ticket and vote for a GOP candidate over Pritzker and Alexi. I am a hard pass on out of touch rich people who are terrible at the job. I’d still vote for Frerichs, but I would definitely split my ticket and vote for anyone but JB and Alexi.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:54 am:
=== I’d be willing to split my ticket and vote for a GOP candidate over Pritzker and Alexi.===
With, say, Bailey as the nominee?
Hmm.
- NIU Grad - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:57 am:
“While others are thinking it’s an aldermanic runoff, Alexi is running with an actual statewide mindset.”
Yup. These other candidates need to get serious about winning statewide. If Frerichs gets primaried out, I’m worried about the appearance of the Democrats running a full-Chicago slate of candidates in November.
“I fully expect that he will throw his resources behind any one of the other candidates.”
After getting burned so many times by picking the wrong horse in party disputes, I’m thinking the Governor might want to sit this one out.
- Blue Dog - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:59 am:
I will vote for Frerich for the simple fact I agree with taxing retirement income.
- The Doc - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 10:59 am:
==I am a hard pass on out of touch rich people who are terrible at the job==
So you never voted for nor would consider voting for Rauner, eh?
- Streamwood Retiree - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:13 am:
==I will vote for Frerich for the simple fact I agree with taxing retirement income. ==
It all depends on whose ox is gored.
You can guess my position.
And, yes, I voted for the graduated income tax constitutional amendment.
- Arsenal - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:16 am:
==While others are thinking it’s an aldermanic runoff, Alexi is running with an actual statewide mindset.==
Although, to be fair, most Aldermen can swing more votes than the Southern 20 can.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:20 am:
=== Although, to be fair, most Aldermen can swing more votes than the Southern 20 can.===
That’s what Vallas thought, then Rod won downstate in a crowded primary…
- Fayette County - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:21 am:
This Southern Illinois Democrat wont be voting for Alexi. I think he would get beat and we need the SOS office. But I have to admit, he is playing the statewide game the right way.
- BigLou - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:25 am:
Maybe I should have posted this here-Why doesn’t Cheri Bustos run for Secretary of State? She is a downstater and I think appeals to both republicans and democrats.
- McGuppin - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:39 am:
Huge get for AG. That dude works hard and is really good at retail politics. At the end of the day, though, it’s his fundraising that will put him over the top, IMO. Hastings, Moore, Valencia, Dowell….they’re all complete unknowns statewide (outside of our little inside politics world here at CapFax). They need $$$ to introduce themselves to voters. None seem to be raising it at a serious clip, excepts for the guy who has already run statewide…twice.
- Arsenal - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:40 am:
==That’s what Vallas thought, then Rod won downstate in a crowded primary… ==
Yeah, but it’s 20 years later and Democrats have completely lost the bead in Southern Illinois.
That being said, Alexi has his own stable of Aldermanic endorsements, and no one else is doing anything remotely impressive.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 11:45 am:
=== Yeah, but it’s 20 years later===
Have primaries changed?
Crowded primary and no one fighting you for regions of the state or only one being competitive enough to compete “everywhere” wins crowded primaries when seemingly all the other candidates are fighting for the dame voters of one region.
Right now, are any other SoS candidates seeing a statewide map? Hmm.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:10 pm:
–Hastings, Moore, Valencia, Dowell….they’re all complete unknowns statewide–
Valencia can sell the fact that she is from Metro East originally, but will the message be heard? Money talks.
- Arsenal - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
==Have primaries changed?==
Yes- less people in Southern Illinois participate in the Democratic ones.
That being said, I would still agree that Giannoulias is in the catbird’s seat.
- ;) - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
nah, not bailey. but only a fool truly believes bailey has any shot of making it out of that primary. and i prefer not to entertain foolish notions.
- ;) - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:48 pm:
and ow is right - can’t believe i am saying that for the 3rd time in a month - the southern 20 can absolutely offset many of the wards in the city. people need to stop doing their math as if the ward votes are monolithic blocks.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:48 pm:
===You can guess my position.===
Freeloader?
===Yes- less people in Southern Illinois participate in the Democratic ones.===
Fewer. The votes still get counted state wide and if your opponents are foolish enough to ignore “downstate” where literally millions of people live because of the idea that in some congressional districts and legislative districts it is difficult to get to 50+1 it makes it even more advantageous to campaign actively in a “red” county or district.
Any campaign consultant that is recommending that a candidate need not put much effort into the “downstate” portions of Illinois is bad at math or possesses thinking so entrenched in political narratives they should pursue a different line of work.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:50 pm:
=== nah, not bailey===
Really. Huh.
Who is going to be the nominee?
The three declared, Bailey seems in good shape.
Don’t hold your light under a bushel…
- Back to the Mountains - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:51 pm:
Governer Kennedy routinely explains how pivotal the endorsement from the SoIL County Chairs was… oh wait.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 12:55 pm:
=== Governer Kennedy===
About that… Pritzker spent millions downstate, was downstate, had offices downstate.
In short… actually campaigned downstate.
Vallas was afraid of planes, and apparently doing much downstate.
I guessing you’re ignoring that, or worse don’t know that.
- Ogden - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 6:32 pm:
===That being said, Alexi has his own stable of Aldermanic endorsements, and no one else is doing anything remotely impressive.===
Who? He doesn’t have any that I am aware of.
- Heck Yeah! - Monday, May 17, 21 @ 8:16 pm:
The Southern IL Dem Chairmen endorsement will not make much difference downstate. Tell me who gets endorsed in St. Clair County. That county is not part of the Southern IL Dems group and St. Clair is by far the most powerful Democratic organization south of I-80.