City Clerk Anna Valencia picked up the support Tuesday of the woman who is expected to lead the Democratic ticket next year, securing the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth in Valencia’s bid to succeed outgoing Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
Duckworth, who is seeking a second term herself, is the first statewide elected official to weigh in on the heated four-way Democratic primary race for secretary of state.
In a video announcing the endorsement, Duckworth said she “can’t think of a better person to represent us and, more importantly, to serve the people of Illinois.”
“She comes from Granite City, she knows what working families are going through, she knows what every single one of us has faced in terms of difficulties in our life, but she’s persevered, and she’s continued to work hard,” Illinois’ junior senator said in the video. “I hope someday young girls and boys say ‘I want to be just like Anna.’ I certainly do.”
Probably worth mentioning that Sen. Duckworth backed another state party chair candidate against US Rep. Robin Kelly. Rep./Chair Kelly is a longtime Giannoulias ally.
Republican state Rep. Dan Brady hasn’t entered the race to lead the Secretary of State’s Office — he’s still considering it — but a poll he initiated shows him just five points behind Alexi Giannoulias, a frontrunner in the Democratic race.
The Ogden & Fry poll asked respondents: If the election for Secretary of State were held today, for whom would you vote, Giannoulias or Brady? Results showed 43.8 percent of respondents would vote for Giannoulias, the former state Treasurer, compared to 38.7 percent who said Brady. Nearly 18 percent were undecided. […]
Poll numbers show two-thirds of downstate respondents had never heard of Giannoulias or Brady.
Translation: Few actually know who either of those guys are and Giannoulias is performing at almost precisely the generic Democratic level for this poll while Brady is above the generic Republican level. Brady has more solid GOP support in this poll (90 percent) compared to Giannoulias among Dems (82 percent). But the Republican is also doing a bit better among independents (34-26), who often tend to lean more GOP.
Some believe that lies about election laid the foundation for the insurrection. Bost voted to overturn the results of Pennsylvania and Arizona hours after the riots.
“I’m not worried about what history does with that,” Bost said. “Did they or did they not run their elections according to the Constitution? And the answer again is they did not.”
Narrator: They did.
* A silly story that produced an even sillier reaction last week…
Has anyone told him that he can't be appointed to this position by local committeemen? https://t.co/iRbZpiRyON
Is this more of a coup for Valencia or a play for Duckworth to slow the Alexi train? Very fun and interesting indeed.
Alexi is a disaster for the Dem ticket
Can Dems realize it in time.
Alexi and Frerichs. The GOP can make real hay… Alexi and Frerichs… and cheaper than trying to take down a billionaire governor, polling 14 points over water.
- Sending out an SoS - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:11 pm:
Looking to the remap…I would think Sue Rezin is considering SoS race. District got tougher even though she would still win she clearly has eyes on bigger prizes (ie Congress last year)
=== Barring a major scandal, yes he most likely is===
Petitions aren’t even out. It’s even too early to say it’s early… but, tough seeing any others running a statewide campaign as Alexi is. They are clearly behind.
Plus a Jesse White endorsement will be a big deal too.
“Plus a Jesse White endorsement will be a big deal too.”
Yes. That might do it. And I know it’s too early to say it’s early, but I’m racking my brain for logical outcomes that say he is not the SOS nominee. There are very few that I can think of.
The Q2 fundraising numbers will be very telling in the SoS race, IMO. Labor will no doubt boost Alexi’s numbers and I look for him to have yet another strong quarter. Valencia simply has to put up a strong number and show that she’s ready for the big leagues. She CANNOT let Alexi run up the numbers on her…..again. If he continues to outraise her 2-1 or 3-1 or whatever then she should seriously consider a graceful exit and think about her long term play.
I had the chance to attend a few in-person events these past couple of weeks and, of course, couldn’t help talking state politics. Many folks didn’t even realize there were candidates in this race…some even thought Jesse was running again.
With all of these endorsements, it’ll be interesting to see one candidate believing he’s got the race “buttoned up” before voters even start paying attention.
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
Alexi is the Illinois Hillary candidate. Line out the red carpet for him then in general realize nobody likes him and it’s too late. Brady is smart to get in, surprised Barrickman didn’t.
===If he continues to outraise her 2-1 or 3-1 or whatever then she should seriously consider a graceful exit and think about her long term play.===
Senator Duckworth disagrees. It’s not too early for those without a serious plan to attempt a statewide run, but not for those who get endorsements from, say, a US Senator from our state.
Given that he just schooled them on the elected school board, I think I’d take a rest from trolling Martwick if I were a member of Team Lightfoot. Then again, leaning into every fight possible is definitely “on brand” for MLL, so no surprise.
And if I were Martwick, I would have much more emphatically closed the door to mayoral speculation. Don’t want stir up potential competition after a closer than expected senate election battle last year.
I think Duckworth’s endorsement of Valencia is notable because she was actually able to win that Senate seat, unlike Alexi. Albeit, it was in a more favourable election environment of a Presidential election year for Duckworth. Still.
This race could change the political landscape in Illinois. The Secretary of State position has the most patronage jobs of any statewide office in Illinois outside of the Governor’s Office. In an environment where the DPI and the Legislative Democrats have less money and resources available than in previous election cycles, winning this race could be the key to getting the state GOP back on track (except they will likely shoot themselves in the foot).
Lightfoot continues to prove its amateur hour. Got rolled by the GA, little success with city council, lying about reasons for increase in crime, etc etc.
Now last week blames it all on people being against her because she’s black and a woman. Having Martwick the big bad white guy in the race, she should welcome with open arms. If you’re going all in then go all in.
Seeing MLL get in the face of Ald Taylor was the only visual anyone needed to see how absurd Lightfoot’s claims are. I kinda feel sorry for any staff of hers, either on the campaign or government (City Hall) side.
As for SoS or any other statewide race, it’s much too early to talk about who is leading or who is trailing.
Alexi is about Alexi and this is literally his setup to run for Durbin spot in 2024. Curious why Dems who have worked years to navigate the political spectrum to get to that spot are not calling him out on it? He’s run two races, he’s 1-1. Plus the office he did hold he underperformed.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:00 pm:
To Duckworth?
Is this more of a coup for Valencia or a play for Duckworth to slow the Alexi train? Very fun and interesting indeed.
Alexi is a disaster for the Dem ticket
Can Dems realize it in time.
Alexi and Frerichs. The GOP can make real hay… Alexi and Frerichs… and cheaper than trying to take down a billionaire governor, polling 14 points over water.
Plus… the SoS jobs.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:09 pm:
Agree that the Ds would be better off without Giannoulias on the ticket. But is he too far ahead at this point?
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:10 pm:
“But is he too far ahead at this point?”
Barring a major scandal, yes he most likely is.
- Sending out an SoS - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:11 pm:
Looking to the remap…I would think Sue Rezin is considering SoS race. District got tougher even though she would still win she clearly has eyes on bigger prizes (ie Congress last year)
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:13 pm:
=== Barring a major scandal, yes he most likely is===
Petitions aren’t even out. It’s even too early to say it’s early… but, tough seeing any others running a statewide campaign as Alexi is. They are clearly behind.
Plus a Jesse White endorsement will be a big deal too.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:18 pm:
“Plus a Jesse White endorsement will be a big deal too.”
Yes. That might do it. And I know it’s too early to say it’s early, but I’m racking my brain for logical outcomes that say he is not the SOS nominee. There are very few that I can think of.
- McGuppin - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:20 pm:
The Q2 fundraising numbers will be very telling in the SoS race, IMO. Labor will no doubt boost Alexi’s numbers and I look for him to have yet another strong quarter. Valencia simply has to put up a strong number and show that she’s ready for the big leagues. She CANNOT let Alexi run up the numbers on her…..again. If he continues to outraise her 2-1 or 3-1 or whatever then she should seriously consider a graceful exit and think about her long term play.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:22 pm:
I had the chance to attend a few in-person events these past couple of weeks and, of course, couldn’t help talking state politics. Many folks didn’t even realize there were candidates in this race…some even thought Jesse was running again.
With all of these endorsements, it’ll be interesting to see one candidate believing he’s got the race “buttoned up” before voters even start paying attention.
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
Alexi is the Illinois Hillary candidate. Line out the red carpet for him then in general realize nobody likes him and it’s too late. Brady is smart to get in, surprised Barrickman didn’t.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
===If he continues to outraise her 2-1 or 3-1 or whatever then she should seriously consider a graceful exit and think about her long term play.===
Senator Duckworth disagrees. It’s not too early for those without a serious plan to attempt a statewide run, but not for those who get endorsements from, say, a US Senator from our state.
- Shield - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:25 pm:
The mayor swats flies with nukes. Sheesh. Why respond to insider garbage at all?
- TNR - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
Given that he just schooled them on the elected school board, I think I’d take a rest from trolling Martwick if I were a member of Team Lightfoot. Then again, leaning into every fight possible is definitely “on brand” for MLL, so no surprise.
And if I were Martwick, I would have much more emphatically closed the door to mayoral speculation. Don’t want stir up potential competition after a closer than expected senate election battle last year.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:29 pm:
===I’m racking my brain for logical outcomes that say he is not the SOS nominee. There are very few that I can think of.===
Once petitions go out, some things might sort themselves.
The labor endorsements Alexi has so far are the most impressive to his bid, I feel, as Duckworth steering away from Alexi is the most telling.
“We’ll see”?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 1:44 pm:
===I would have much more emphatically closed the door===
Meh. I don’t blame him for getting a press pop. I blame the popper.
- Hot Taeks - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 2:18 pm:
I think Duckworth’s endorsement of Valencia is notable because she was actually able to win that Senate seat, unlike Alexi. Albeit, it was in a more favourable election environment of a Presidential election year for Duckworth. Still.
- Jay Parker - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 2:42 pm:
Does Martwick no longer live in Norridge? He was a village trustee. Might be hard to run for mayor from the suburbs.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 2:51 pm:
This race could change the political landscape in Illinois. The Secretary of State position has the most patronage jobs of any statewide office in Illinois outside of the Governor’s Office. In an environment where the DPI and the Legislative Democrats have less money and resources available than in previous election cycles, winning this race could be the key to getting the state GOP back on track (except they will likely shoot themselves in the foot).
- Frank talks - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:12 pm:
Lightfoot continues to prove its amateur hour. Got rolled by the GA, little success with city council, lying about reasons for increase in crime, etc etc.
Now last week blames it all on people being against her because she’s black and a woman. Having Martwick the big bad white guy in the race, she should welcome with open arms. If you’re going all in then go all in.
-About 99% of it,” Lightfoot responded during an interview on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight when asked how much of the criticism she faces is either race-based or sex-based. Of which Alderwoman a Taylor called a “cop-out”.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.yahoo.com/amphtml/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-blames-194800033.html
- Dirty Red - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:38 pm:
= Does Martwick no longer live in Norridge? =
He lists a Chicago address on his Senate campaign filings.
411 and ISBE are good tools to bookmark.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 4:18 pm:
If Alexi has no name recognition in the south why did all those counties endorse him so quick. What did he give them.
- low level - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 4:39 pm:
Seeing MLL get in the face of Ald Taylor was the only visual anyone needed to see how absurd Lightfoot’s claims are. I kinda feel sorry for any staff of hers, either on the campaign or government (City Hall) side.
As for SoS or any other statewide race, it’s much too early to talk about who is leading or who is trailing.
- Jocko - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 4:43 pm:
==Barring a major scandal, yes he most likely is.==
Alexi needs to stay away from the letter B…as in ‘Broadway Bank’ and ‘Bright Start college savings plan’
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 5:29 pm:
Still looking out for a Democrat that Alexi has assisted since 2011. Just one would be a start.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 5:50 pm:
Alexi. The Aaron Schock of the Democrats, in my opinion.
- Frank talks - Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 9:18 pm:
Alexi is about Alexi and this is literally his setup to run for Durbin spot in 2024. Curious why Dems who have worked years to navigate the political spectrum to get to that spot are not calling him out on it? He’s run two races, he’s 1-1. Plus the office he did hold he underperformed.