* This is a bit odd…
Former Illinois Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope announced her endorsement of Republican Jesse Sullivan for governor Tuesday:
“Jesse Sullivan will make an excellent governor. He means it when he says he wants to eliminate corruption in our state. The residents of Illinois have grown weary of the many indictments charging our elected officials with wrongdoing,” Pope said.
“I am a firm believer in public service. In its truest form, it is a labor of love on behalf of those who seek to advance the public good. It is time for the next generation of civic-minded leaders to step into the arena and work for the betterment of our state.”
“Jesse’s life has been about working on behalf of others, and I know that he will bring a tireless work ethic, and devotion to good governance, to this role,” Pope added. “Jesse is the leader for this moment. ”
“I am absolutely thrilled to have Carol’s support in this race for governor,” Sullivan said. “She has been a tireless advocate for the people of Illinois. I am honored to pick up the baton in this fight against corrupt insiders who have used public office to enrich themselves, at the expense of everyday Illinoisans. As governor, I will push for the strongest ethics reform in the history of our great state, including using every tool at my disposal to transform the office of the legislative general from a ‘paper tiger’ to a real force for accountability, as Carol fought for time and time again. We are going to be the land of Lincoln again.”
Carol Pope served as Illinois’ legislative inspector general until January 6, 2022. She resigned in the wake of ethics reform legislation that left her with “no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations.” Prior to her resignation, the bill had been praised by Republicans and Democrats alike.
- SWSider - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:14 am:
Wow. Can’t believe Sullivan won the coveted Carol Pope endorsement. Have to wonder how Irvin and Bailey recover. /s
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:15 am:
When a former inspector general decides to wade in partisan politics… at the primary election level?
Gotta be honest, Carol Pope could help more right now merely getting signatures so Sullivan can get on the ballot… that’s kinda where Sullivan is at.
- City Guy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:15 am:
I really don’t like Inspector Generals, including ex-IGs, getting directly involved in politics. It erodes the public trust that the IG work is apolitical and about good government.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:17 am:
Again, the only thing this GOP primary is missing is Homer Stokes.
- Hyperbolic Chamber - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:18 am:
Hey credibility. If you’re looking for the window, it’s right there.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:21 am:
==an’t believe Sullivan won the coveted Carol Pope endorsement. ==
I’m not surprised, they’re both Petersburgians, Petersburgites, or whatever you call citizens of Petersburg.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:23 am:
===they’re both Petersburgians===
Gasp. You mean the crusading reformer sides with someone from her home town in a partisan primary?
I’m shocked.
- Homebody - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:29 am:
I’m not sure who Sullivan’s core demographic is. Irvin and Bailey seem to have locked down the most traditional wings of the GOP.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:34 am:
With Ives with Bailey, Griffin with Irvin… Sullivan will need all that California money to make himself “Illinois”, so why not the former LIG, a hometown endorsement… maybe trying to lock in “geography” beyond a residence?
Still… where are the petitions?
- Rural Democrat - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:40 am:
They were passing petitions at the school yesterday still trying to get him enough. I can only laugh at my neighbor’s joke of a campaign.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:40 am:
Wow, if Sullivan can get on the ballot Carol Pope’s endorsement means he’s almost assuredly a lock for both precincts in Petersburg.
- The Hills 60010 - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:41 am:
Going to be Pritzker v. Bailey, and barring totally unnecessary internal chaos, which will cause parts of the tenuous Dem tent to sit it out, Pritzker will win.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:42 am:
-I’m not sure who Sullivan’s core demographic is.-
Menard County, apparently. Unfortunately for him there’s just not that many people there.
- TheInvisibileMan - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:42 am:
== Sullivan’s core demographic ==
From the little I’ve seen, the majority of it seems to be Libertarians and crypto bros.
Similar to Kash Jackson from the last cycle, but with slightly more class this time around. Slightly.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:43 am:
Endorsements are a puzzle to me. Who is it exactly that will change their vote based on this endorsement? Who was waiting for an endorsement to make up their mind?
No disrespect to Pope. This applies to pretty much all endorsements.
No knock on Pope- this applies to endorsements in general.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:44 am:
===Going to be Pritzker v. Bailey, and barring…===
… Griffin deciding $70 million or so isn’t worth it.
Since there’s a whole Griffin Slate, I’d hold off predicting anything, barring your chance to make money on wagers.
:)
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:46 am:
===but with slightly more class ===
And a whole lot more cash.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:52 am:
Makes me think less of Pope, TBH.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:55 am:
==I’m not sure who Sullivan’s core demographic is.==
He wants to try to steal the True Conservative voters. But I dunno if he can pull it off. He can’t even poke his head out without primary voters shouting “RINO” at him.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:56 am:
I was surprised by the endorsement and think it is a overall positive for the campaign particularly in light of all the Madigan Indictment news.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:58 am:
We think it is Petersburgers
First thought was who cares?
Then it seemed to put the endorser squarely in the complete fraud category To come out for the guy has had the shakey resume problems and then brought on SingleMom as his runinator seems like the endorser’s judgement is suspect
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:58 am:
When he campaigns especially in parts of the Macomb, Rushville and Quincy areas, and even as close as neighboring Mason County, (and other areas in or bordering the outgoing 47th Senate District) I wonder if some people might decide to endorse Jesse Sullivan thinking that he’s somehow related to John Sullivan?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 9:59 am:
===overall positive for the campaign===
Who exactly knows Pope?
People might think “Olivia Pope” when talking politics and “Pope”
I don’t begrudge the endorsement or her making it, it’s odd, the guy can’t even get his petitions on track
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:01 am:
Except in a judicial election, how much weight does the endorsement of a retired judge carry? And aside from the Inside Politics types people probably don’t even know there is such a job as Legislative Inspector General.It
- Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:01 am:
=Menard County, apparently. Unfortunately for him there’s just not that many people there.=
A lovely county, but only 1 stoplight in it. Know a few folks from there, Jesse’s age, and none of them had heard of him or remembered him growing up. I’m not sure he’s even got the county vote locked up.
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:02 am:
Except in a judicial election, how much weight does the endorsement of a retired judge carry? And aside from the Inside Politics types people probably don’t even know there is such a job as Legislative Inspector General.
- Altgeld Guy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:03 am:
Who’s watching the watchdogs?
- The Hills 60010 - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:03 am:
– Friendly Bob Adams - “Who is it exactly that will change their vote based on this endorsement? Who was waiting for an endorsement to make up their mind?
No disrespect to Pope. This applies to pretty much all endorsements.
No knock on Pope- this applies to endorsements in general”
Respectfully, often potential voters are just busy and exhausted, and sometimes intentionally kept confused about the voting process and offered candidates, so electeds and causes dear to the potential voter, or just thought to be familiar to the potential voter, can help by endorsing and giving a candidate/cause their stamp of approval.
Sure, it’s lazy voting, but it’s what we sometimes have.
- Obama’s Puppy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:03 am:
Who? I guess this makes him the front runner. LOL
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:08 am:
=Again, the only thing this GOP primary is missing is Homer Stokes.=
Literally made me spray my computer with coffee. Good stuff.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:13 am:
==Except in a judicial election, how much weight does the endorsement of a retired judge carry?==
It’s a decent enough sound bite that Sullivan can drop into a commercial or a stump speech. If he can string together a couple other examples of crime fighting bona fides, it could give him something.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:15 am:
OW is right on target on the petition issue.
Having a strong (and on time) petition campaign is something a new candidate can build on. Not having a running mate had to slow things down, but a solid field organization would have been able to overcome the running mate concern.
Mr. Sullivan has to up his “game” if he expects to win the primary.
- MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:31 am:
“Who’s watching the watchdogs?”
I dunno… Coast Guard?
– MrJM
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:32 am:
===but with slightly more class ===
And a whole lot more cash.==
Kash didn’t have much cash.
- Raising Kane - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:43 am:
Thanks for the reminder, I forgot Sullivan was even running.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:44 am:
==I dunno… Coast Guard?==
What a great reference.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:54 am:
On having more cash than Kash, I suspect Mr. Sullivan can raise a lot more money. He raised over $10,000,000 with a few phone calls.
His problem seems to be how to figure out a budget to spend the money he has.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 10:57 am:
=== He raised over $10,000,000 with a few phone calls.===
California Cash.
The stolen valor thingy is still a thingy…
=== His problem seems to be how to figure out a budget to spend the money he has.===
Not exactly, the grifting is likely going as planned, lol
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 11:21 am:
She would have been a better LG for Sullivan than his current choice. Beyond locking down the Petersburg vote, he could attack on some substance around ethics and reform.
Still a fourth place finish, but he might feel better about the whole thing when he looks back on this part of his career.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 11:24 am:
===He raised over $10,000,000 with a few phone calls===
And not much since. Curious, that.
- left of what - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 11:34 am:
The more I see of this guy the more I feel like this gov race stunt is to get name ID for 24 and run for congress. That’s what all these people want anyway, to go to DC.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 11:36 am:
==It’s a decent enough sound bite that Sullivan can drop into a commercial or a stump speech.==
All Jesse needs now is an endorsement from his high school civics teacher /S
- Davesurance.com - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 12:54 pm:
Ex-LIG Pope, like most people, seems to have partisan politcal preferences.
One wonders whether this means an appointed, Senate approved position like LIG can ever really be the panacea for the State’s century old corruption problem…. I’m skeptical, despite what the goo goos say. An important position sure, the thin line between utopia and corruption, perhaps not.
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 1:10 pm:
==She would have been a better LG for Sullivan than his current choice==
I dunno. She retired from the bench at just 62 and was basically invisible as LIG until the huffy exit. Doesn’t seem to have much motivation to put in any real work.
- Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Mar 8, 22 @ 3:32 pm:
Jesse should have tried to run for US Senate. He’s just miscast in this Governor’s race.