Campaign roundup
Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Brenden Moore…
Beyond the governor’s race, Republicans will have an opportunity to show if they can do this in the open race for Illinois Secretary of State. Though long a stepping-stone to higher office, the secretary of state’s office is above all else a customer service-based institution.
Two Republican candidates linked to the race — state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, and state Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon — have each emphasized improving the functions of the office when discussing their potential future plans.
“I think you really have to talk about listening to what people care about, what they think is important, and try to respond to those needs,” Demmer said. “Sometimes, I think that there can be some complacency from Democrats who think ‘well, this is what got us here, so let’s stick with it.’ And the reality is, more people — Republicans, independents and Democrats — are looking for something different out of state government. And so I think that’s the opportunity that we have.”
* Burt Odelson won an Illinois Supreme Court case this week…
The central issue in this case is whether the appellate court erred in holding that Roger Agpawa was not a qualified candidate for mayor of the City of Markham due to a 1999 federal felony mail fraud conviction, even though he obtained a document purporting to restore his citizenship rights from then-Governor Bruce Rauner in 2018.
For the following reasons, we reverse the judgment of the appellate court.
* Press release…
Today, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Locals 51, 146, 193, 309, 601 and 649, announced their endorsement of Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. The IBEW represents working men and women throughout the 14 counties in the 13th Congressional District.
Nikki’s parents taught her the importance of family, community, and service to others. From her grandpa, a union painter, she saw how unions built and sustained the middle class. From her grandma, a public-school teacher, she learned the value of a good education. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign, Nikki traveled the country fighting to get hard-working people the pay and workplace protections they deserve while working with the IAFF firefighters union and UFCW.
Bobby Wedell, Business Manager of Local 51, said: “We need allies like Nikki in Congress to make sure we are supporting and creating good union jobs in the 13th Congressional district. Nikki is a tireless advocate for working families and the men and women of the IBEW will be well represented by her in Congress.”
Budzinski made the following statement: “I’m humbled to earn the support of IBEW Locals 51, 146, 193, 309, 601, 649 and their members. As the granddaughter of union members fighting for working families is something that’s always been important to me. In Congress, I’ll put working people first and be an ally to make sure the labor movement is ready to grow into the 21st Century economy.”
* Politico…
Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, who was vaccinated earlier this year, has tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms, he said in a statement released Wednesday. Morrison is remaining quarantined at home but is continuing his duties remotely and is in regular communication with staff. Morrison’s wife, a registered nurse, and two daughters have both tested negative but are also quarantined. Morrison attended last week’s events at the state fair, including an indoor meeting of Republican county leaders.
* More…
* ‘It’s a new frontier’: Lake County treasurer among the first Illinois political candidates to accept campaign donations of Bitcoin, Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies
* Republican Glen Evans running for Illinois state Senate
* Jim Dey: Looks like Dems hold winning hand on redistricting
* Fired transgender Pritzker campaign worker can’t continue discrimination suit vs Pritzker camp
* Ethics Board Warns Chicago Officials: Think Twice Before Creating Legal Defense Fund
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 2:53 pm:
I’m curious about the Demmer campaign for SoS.
How will that primary go, no one is likely going to get a pass.
- SKI - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 3:48 pm:
Shame on the IBEW locals for endorsing without even seeing how the districts or opponents shape up.
Congratulations to Treasurer Holly Kim on embracing new technologies. I’m hoping she has eyes on bigger offices in her future.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 8:03 pm:
This announcing your campaign for office, and now unions endorsing a candidate for office way before the congressional district boundaries becomes official is something I hope never becomes trend.
From a campaign standpoint any potential primary opponent can pretty easily turn an announcement of candidacy this early into a fault. Nikki has decided to run for congress before she knows who she will be representing and what the priorities are of the communities that will make up the district.
Announcing before the district is mapped is a cynical thing to do. Endorsing before the district is mapped is a cynical thing to do. And if have connections so you already know what the district will look like before the public does it just seems downright undemocratic to announce your campaign before the public knows what district they’re going to be in.
Nikki’s a candidate for congress who doesn’t know whose vote she is trying to earn.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 8:32 pm:
Apparently its too early for Nikki to be announcing her candidacy, but not too early to early for everyone else to roll out a bunch of mysoginistic rhetoric.
I heard the same stuff about Hillary Clinton - “She’s too prepared!” Godforbid someone prepared was in charge for the pandemic.
No one ever accused a man of being too ambitious, raising too much money, wnning too many endorsements, or running too organized a campaign.
Did Rodney Davis stop 4aising money even though he doesn’t know what the new district will look like, or even which job he will be running for?
I noticed one option that Davis hasnt put on the table is the private sector.
But hey, atleast Nikki has figured out she wants to serve Illinois in Congress.
Hopefully Rodney’s pollsters and political handlers will tell him what he believes soon.