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* Treasurer Michael Frerichs…
Dear Friend,
We make plans, and God laughs. I have been thinking a lot about this old adage over the last several months.
I have always been grateful for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s mentorship and friendship. He first supported me 27 years ago when I was running in what most believed to be an unwinnable Republican district. He encouraged me in a handwritten letter to keep at it after that initial defeat. And as I have had increasing electoral success, I aspired to follow in Sen. Durbin’s footsteps.
For the longest time, it seemed like the stars might be aligned. My daughter will turn 18 near the end of Sen. Durbin’s current term. Ella would go off to college and I could go off to D.C.
Since Sen. Durbin made his announcement, my phone has rarely stopped buzzing. I have been humbled at the outpouring of support and encouragement from so many of you.
I have had a lot of conversations over the last week and many people have encouraged me to run. I appreciate all the support, and, although it would be difficult, I can see a path. However, the first question I have to ask myself is: Do I still want the job?
Over the last several years, my life and my priorities have changed dramatically. Three years ago, I married Erica. Two years ago, we were blessed with our twins, Theo and Max.
After many conversations with friends, and lengthy talks with my wife, I have reached the decision that the answer is no. I am not willing to travel to Washington, D.C. 30-some weeks a year and spend so many nights away from my children. I don’t want to miss their games, their recitals, or even that many bedtimes.
There is a mess in Washington right now and we need to send someone who will fight for all of us in Illinois, but that person will not be me.
Having run an executive office for the last decade, I have seen the power we have to give more people more opportunities here in Illinois. I don’t need to be in Washington to make an impact.
Our state is worth investing in and I intend to double down on Illinois. We need to make sure Illinois is a destination for families and for people looking to start a business. We need to provide an example of governing by grownups – in stark contrast with the chaos of D.C.
I have often said that the office of State Treasurer is the best, least understood, job in government. I intend to use the tools at my disposal to fight the Trump corruption, protect working families from the Trump chaos, and ensure Illinois survives and thrives when Trump finally leaves office for the last time.
Thank you for being a supporter. We have accomplished a lot, but we have a lot of work left ahead of us.
Thoughts?
* Meanwhile… Crain’s…
Laura Ricketts and her wife, Brooke Skinner Ricketts, are among the co-chairs of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s finance committee in her campaign for U.S. Senate.
Also co-chairing the committee are Kimi Ellen and Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg. Vice chairs include Gloria Castillo, Les Coney, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, Tamar Newberger, Andy Schapiro, Brian Rice and Smita Shah. […]
Ricketts is a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, the Stars women’s soccer team and Chicago Sky women’s basketball team. Brooke Skinner Ricketts is a veteran marketing executive.
Ellen is CEO of accounting firm Benford Brown & Associates. Rosenberg is a venture capital investor and former chief of staff to Gov. JB Pritzker when Pritzker was a venture capitalist.
* The full finance committee..
Finance Committee leadership includes:
Co-Chairs:
Laura Ricketts and Brooke Skinner Ricketts
Kimi Ellen
Lee “Rosy” RosenbergVice Chairs:
Gloria Castillo
Les Coney
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan
Tamar Newberger and Andy Schapiro
Brian Rice
Smita Shah
posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, May 5, 25 @ 10:55 am
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He is a smart man and no endorsement yet
As to finance committee probably a dumb question is Betsy Dirksen Londrigan any relation to EV Dirksen?
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:11 am
I like him but yeah was going to be a huge uphill battle.
Comment by Alton Sinkhole Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:16 am
Congrats to Shiv Roy
Comment by Alton Sinkhole Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:17 am
It’s good that Treasurer Frerichs can read the room.
Comment by Norseman Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:31 am
Smart move on Frerichs’ part. DC has gotten too nasty for a guy with his disposition.
Comment by Joe Schmoe Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:38 am
@DuPage Saint
She’s said in the past that there may be some family connections going back several generations, but there’s no direct relations to Everett Dirksen.
Comment by TreeFiddy Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:40 am
Can’t blame him. I don’t remotely see an avenue for Frerichs to win the Dem nomination given Raja’s war chest, Underwood’s base, and Stratton’s accumulation of core backers.
Plus, you know, Springfield ain’t insane like D.C., so I can’t fault anyone not wanting to go to the latter.
Comment by TJ Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:42 am
the only Ricketts family member to be on the side of the people.
Comment by Amalia Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:43 am
===Underwood’s base===
What base is that?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:52 am
Smart move by Frerichs. The lane he would occupy in a Dem primary, Dem primary voters aren’t interested in it. I hope Frerichs remains in office in some capacity beyond ‘26, I just dont know in what office. I cant imagine anyone wanting to be Treasurer for a third term. I doubt Alexi abandons SoS spot as he preps for the Mayoral run. I think Frerichs running for Gov presents the same problems as running for the US Senate. I just dont see whats next.
Comment by Red Ranger Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:55 am
My opinion of Treasurer Michael Frerichs just went up.
Comment by James of Little Italy Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:55 am
== What base is that? ==
Younger voters, south/west side city and suburb voters, and a sizable chunk of African American voters, I’d imagine.
Comment by TJ Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:58 am
===south/west side city and suburb voters===
Her district is nowhere near that part of the state.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:06 pm
“Younger voters, south/west side city“
Julianna won a bare knuckled brawl in a marquee south side state rep race that propelled her to be JB’s running mate. Team LU needs to take a beat and look at things from a wildly different prism than they currently possess.
Comment by *ducks* Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:11 pm
I wonder if Team Obama will remember the incredibly sharp elbows Team Pritzker employed during this primary season when JB is running for the really big chair in 18 months or so?
Comment by Red Ranger Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:24 pm
==Her district is nowhere near that part of the state.==
I think there’s some…ahem…demographic reasons to expepct that area to be interested in her…but it’s Chicago. It’s all very parochial. And with 1-2 genuine southsiders in the mix, she might find that pond over-fished.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:27 pm
===Team Obama will remember the incredibly sharp elbows===
lol
Nobody in this state had sharper elbows than Barack. I mean, he ran for state Senate unopposed because he objected everyone else off the ballot, including Sen. Alice Palmer.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:35 pm
==Younger voters==
Based on what, her age?
I don’t know that we can really identify anyone’s “base” in this race until we see more folks make it official that they are in.
Comment by Anonish Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:41 pm
If JB decides not to run again, then Governor makes more sense for him if he steps up.
Comment by Jibba Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:44 pm
Frerichs has worked a decade to fill that downstate lane which, in a field of a bunch of cook county dems is significant. He had a path to win the primary but chose his young family. Good for him.
Comment by Here Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:49 pm
==Julianna won a bare knuckled brawl in a marquee south side state rep race==
Uh, no. Julianna won the highest funded Democratic state rep primary in history that pitted an unpopular Republican governor against basically everybody else. Yeah, really signature win, uh huh.
== then Governor makes more sense for him if he steps up==
I’m sure voters will flock to the State Treasurer who hasn’t picked or fought a single battle in a decade.
Comment by Island Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:51 pm
Betsy Londrigan is exceptionally close to Durbin. I suspect this might be a sign.
Comment by Jeb Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:52 pm
=== I suspect this might be a sign===
Of what?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:57 pm
Standing tall, truly. Smart decision and great statement.
Comment by Proud Sucker Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:58 pm
=== I suspect this might be a sign===
Of what? Durbin leaning toward Stratton.
Comment by Jeb Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:03 pm
Good decision by Freirichs. It’s not only the 30 weeks in DC you won’t have the kids around, it’s also the amount of time you have to spend on the trail when you’re back home.
Julianna grabbing early people is good for her. Touting the Madigan vs. Rauner proxy race as an accomplishment, not so sure. Also, not sure what her legislative accomplishments were for policy, as she had one session total, and for 3/4 of that, she was running for Lt Gov. What did she pass that was big?
Comment by Frida's Boss Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:12 pm
lol Rich’s comment on Obama’s sharp elbows. present votes, taking a walk, going after (the late) Alice Palmer. but, they’re likeable enough
Comment by Amalia Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:31 pm
The Governor’s elimination of Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults will undoubtedly make it difficult for LG Stratton to build in-roads with Latino elected officials, who could serve as spokespersons / campaign surrogates…something to watch for as this race / field unfold
Comment by System Reboot Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:10 pm
===Durbin leaning toward Stratton===
Kinda doubt that, considering the history with Pritzker. Plus, he said he was staying out of it.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:22 pm