* Tribune…
The primary unfolded with at least one incumbent House Democrat loyal to Madigan conceding he lost and another who served in Madigan’s leadership team trailing late in a tight race, based on unofficial results. And one House Democrat with a convincing lead declared victory despite being under federal investigation. […]
Rep. Kathy Willis, the Addison Democrat that Madigan recruited years ago to take the seat away from Republicans, found herself trailing challenger Norma Hernandez, a Triton College trustee from Melrose Park. Hernandez’s camp claimed victory Tuesday night. […]
Holding a solid lead late Tuesday, incumbent Democratic Rep. Sonya Harper of Chicago said: “It looks like voters still want me to represent them in Springfield, and I’m very happy for that.”
Appointed Democratic incumbent Rep. Michael Kelly, who replaced longtime Rep. John D’Amico of Chicago, declared victory, according to his campaign manager, over fellow Chicagoan Michael Patrick Rabbitt, who acknowledged he lost.
* Tribune…
The GOP’s more moderate wing, reeling from the collapse of Irvin’s candidacy, is now fearful of the impact of Bailey’s candidacy as he leads the ticket for Springfield offices.
“We are really going to get our ass handed to us,” predicted one Republican in party legislative leadership, where the GOP has been a superminority to House and Senate Democrats. “If we thought where we were was bad, this is going to be a helluva lot worse.”
But Bailey said people should dismiss the naysayers.
“Springfield and the political elites have failed every one of us and now the elites and the press say that Pritzker is a shoo-in. They say our fate’s set, that a farmer can’t beat a billionaire,” he said. “Friends, the funny thing is these same people said that we couldn’t win the primary.”
* Press release…
Not even 24 hours after breaking out of an ugly Republican gubernatorial primary, GOP nominee for governor Darren Bailey wasted no time doubling down on his incendiary comments calling Chicago, the largest city in the state, a “hellhole.”
During an interview with WLS, Bailey showed Illinoisans more of his extremist MAGA brand of politics that puts divisive rhetoric over policy solutions. Host Steve Cochran pressed Bailey for solutions, even saying, “I’m asking you as the nominee, what will you do? Give me the specific, what will you do? It’s not a conversation. What’s the idea?”
“Even when given the opportunity to walk back his hateful rhetoric, Darren Bailey chooses to stand by his out of touch views that disparage the millions of Illinoisans who live in and around Chicago,” said JB for Governor spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein. “A politician who calls for separating Chicago from the rest of the state and embraces the divisiveness of Donald Trump is entirely unfit to represent Illinois’ diverse and vast population.”
* I get emails…
Rich -
Hope you’re well.
With the recent Dobbs decision and the primary behind us, I wanted to update you on the status of the 10th district candidates.
Joe Severino is an anti-choice extremist in a district that has been pro-choice for 50 years. Following the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Severino said, “I applaud the courage of the court,” and “It’s time to celebrate life.”
As Joe put it in a recent interview, “I’m pro life… I’m a pro life candidate” Joe will use racist, disproven conspiracy theories to try to justify his position, comparing black babies to cattle meant to be sold for parts.
In his own words: “85% of abortions are black babies drawing HUGE returns in baby parts. This includes late term abortion. “Like steer-the bigger the baby the more profitable”.
[Schneider] gets millions from the death of black babies.”
Brad Schneider’s comment: “Joe Severino’s racist, misogynist stance speaks for itself, and speaks volumes about who Joe Severino is. Illinois’s Tenth District has been pro-choice for 50 years—represented by both Democrats and Republicans. Severino’s extremism is totally out of step with the values of the Tenth Congressional District.”
Schneider’s statement on the decision can be found here.
I think Severino’s statements illustrate further the Bailey/Miller “White Life” positions of ILGOP. Further, both Jesse Reising and Regan Deering supported the SCOTUS decision
* Press release…
On Tuesday night, three candidates supported by Restore Justice Illinois won their primary elections! Representatives Sonya Harper and Lindsey LaPointe, and Senator Robert Martwick will be the Democratic nominees in November’s General Election; as of now, they do not have Republican challengers.
With our Political Action Team, we proudly supported these legislators because they voted for the SAFE-T Act and other needed criminal legal system reforms. They faced opposition funded by people and groups that oppose compassionate steps forward.
We will now turn our attention to the General Election so we can help make sure candidates who believe in fairness and equity win in November. Join us by signing up for our Political Action Team. The team will make phone calls, canvass, and engage in other activities to support candidates. We will also hold regular check-ins to provide updates and information on the races.
*** UPDATE *** Gryder declares victory…
After securing the Republican Party nomination to challenge Lauren Underwood for the right to represent Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, Kendall County Board Chairman, Scott Gryder released the following statement:
“To all who gave their precious time, resources, and votes, thank you!
Because of your support, our campaign for the future of Illinois’ 14th Congressional District continues.
Lauren Underwood is in trouble because we are in the grips of the worst economy in over 40 years. With gas, groceries, medicine, rent, and everything else skyrocketing in price, the results of this primary show people are concerned and focused on the rising cost of everyday necessities.
We need to change course, away from the failing policies and leadership Joe Biden and his allies in Congress like Lauren Underwood are offering, toward pro-growth, pro-family, pro-freedom policies backed by leaders who know how to get the job done.
While honored to be nominated as your messenger of change as we carry on toward November 8, this election was a win for the hard-working people of the 14th District who need real relief, not more of the same.”
* ILGOP…
Rich,
Thank you for showing up at the polls in last night’s primary! Not only did we nominate strong, conservative candidates up and down the ballot, but we also SHATTERED the last midterm’s turnout with 50,000 MORE VOTES than 2018’s Republican primary.
We couldn’t have done it without you. We are so grateful for everything you’ve done, from donating, to volunteering, to showing up to the polls, to make this possible.
This election will not be easy. Billionaire Bully Pritzker is ready to throw his entire war chest at us, but Republicans are motivated to turn out and FIRE Pritzker in November!
We’ve also nominated strong candidates in all of our competitive Congressional races. Esther Joy King, Regan Deering, Scott Gryder, and Keith Pekau are all ready to FIRE PELOSI and return Congress to Republicans.
We can’t wait for November. Thanks for being a part of our team.
Sincerely,
ILGOP
Pekau beat Gary Grasso by 11 points.
* Press release…
Illinois — Vote Mama, the first PAC focused solely on electing Democratic moms, is thrilled to share our wins in this heated primary cycle.
CONTESTED
• Rachel Ventura — Illinois State Senate, District 43
• Laura Faver Dias — Illinois House of Representatives, District 62
• Samantha Steele — Cook County Board of Review, District 2
UNCONTESTED
• Tammy Duckworth –U.S. Senate, Illinois
• Margaret Croke — Illinois House of Representatives, District 12
“After a long election cycle I am thrilled to share that we have come out on top with important wins and especially for our contested races for Samantha Steele, Rachel Ventura and Laura Faver-Dias. Both Ventura and Faver-Dias have been declared victorious. With Steele 99% of the votes are in and there is a comfortable lead of 4,500 votes. We are optimistic about Steele’s victory, and look forward to celebrating her win that brings much needed reform to our broken property tax system that unfairly over taxes homeowners while giving breaks to big corporations. Samantha is confident of victory and looks forward to serving the people in the 2nd District of Cook County.” said Alexandra Eidenberg, Illinois Vote Mama State Chair.
“Thank you so much! I truly couldn’t have done this without your support and early belief in me. I am so appreciative of the help and support you provided. This win is ours.” said Rachel Ventura, candidate for Illinois Senate District 43.
“Through my involvement in my community, I know the power of moms working together and their ability to make change. We need more moms with young children in office to be a voice for all kinds of families and advocate for change that will improve the lives of our children and future generations,” said Laura Faver Dias, Democratic Nominee for Illinois House of Representatives District 62.
“From lapses in childcare to economic instability, the past two years have been devastating for so many families. Now more than ever, Illinois deserves representatives who understand these struggles firsthand and are committed to taking action. ” said Liuba Grechen Shirley, Vote Mama Founder and CEO.
* G-PAC…
The Gun Violence Prevention PAC Illinois (G-PAC), the state’s leading political force in ending gun violence, is proud to announce the victories of more than two dozen gun-safety candidates in races in Tuesday’s primary election. Chief among them was an upset in House District 16, where Kevin Olickal (D-Skokie) defeated incumbent State Representative Denyse Wang Stoneback.
“Rep. Stoneback failed her constituents when she worked against and refused to vote for life-saving legislation that would require universal background checks for all gun sales and provide funding for mental health. Elected leaders must be held accountable, and while Rep. Stoneback claimed to be an advocate, we need leaders who will consistently work with us to end gun violence, not just use it as a talking point to win their elections,” said Kathleen Sances, President, and CEO of the Gun Violence Prevention PAC. “Since we founded G-PAC in 2013, we have created an electoral and legislative infrastructure that has made Illinois a safer state, and today we are proud to build on that legacy with major victories all across the state. We are confident that these gun safety candidates will be victorious in November and go on to further strengthen Illinois’ laws to help end the public health crisis of gun violence.”
More than two dozen endorsed candidates have won their primary election with G-PAC’s support. The organization was heavily involved in delivering victories in many contested races, including:
• Sen. Omar Aquino (SD 2)
• Sen. Robert Martwick (SD 10)
• Sen. Celina Villanueva (SD 12)
• Kevin Olickal (HD 16)
• Rep. Lindsey La Pointe (HD 19)
• Rep. Justin Slaughter (HD 27)
These resounding victories showcase G-PAC’s political strength by organizing hundreds of supporters. Each candidate has G-PAC’s continued support going into the general election as we continue to build and defend our gun safety majority in the Illinois legislature.
Following Tuesday’s election, each candidate will now regroup and get back on the campaign trail as they look to secure their seat on November 8, 2022, in the General Election. Once elected, these candidates will ensure that the Illinois legislature has a gun safety majority so Illinois can continue to protect and pass life-saving legislation as violence continues to affect our communities.
…Adding… Sun-Times…
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch came out of Tuesday’s Democratic primary a winner — and not only because he faced no challenger in his legislative race.
Flexing his newfound political muscle since succeeding Michael Madigan as House speaker, Welch also helped his wife, attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch, win her Democratic primary contest for a seat as a Cook County judge from a suburban district.
Raines-Welch bested three opponents in the primary, getting about 35% of the vote. There were no Republicans running for the seat. So, barring last-minute ballot additions before the Nov. 8 general election, she has all but clinched a seat on the bench.
Raines-Welch’s campaign raised around $666,000 — a whopping amount for this type of judicial race and far more than all of her primary opponents.
* More…
