* Austin Weekly News…
The July 31 announcement that long-time 7th District Congressman Danny K. Davis was not running for re-election has changed the local political dynamics in more ways than one.
Don Harmon, State Senate President and Democratic Oak Park Township Committeeman, said Sunday that he will be circulating nominating petitions for the party office of 7th District State Central Committeeman, an office Davis has held since 1998.
Meanwhile, Harmon’s counterpart in the Illinois General Assembly, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has started actively campaigning for the post and has secured an endorsement from Davis and 18 other political figures, including River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci and State Rep. LaShawn Ford. […]
For 15 years, Harmon has eyed a seat on the powerful Democratic State Central Committee. Twice in the time period — in 2009 and in 2022 — Harmon has stepped back after Davis chose to run for re-election, saying he would not oppose Davis.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:20 pm:
What an interesting development…a schism perhaps?
Stay tuned.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:30 pm:
This can’t be good for Dems long-term. Wish they’d just figure it out behind the scenes.
- Jax - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:39 pm:
How long do we think Hernandez will remain chair after one of them joins the fray?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:43 pm:
wow. wild
- PoliticsD - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 5:03 pm:
Time for a third person to collect signatures so voters can express how they feel about political class
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 5:09 pm:
===a schism perhaps?===
Harmon has wanted that job forever. Welch was recently elected township committeeperson. This was gonna happen sooner or later because the new map put the two leaders in the same congressional district.
- West Side Black Elected - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 5:13 pm:
This is a spot for a Black man. The Democratic Party has a Black male problem and Harmon winning that seat would be a major problem for the party that’s losing black male votes daily.