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Durkin to run for House GOP Leader, won’t vote for gay marriage

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Illinois

* Subscribers have known about both of these developments for days…

With ramped-up talk that House Republican Minority Leader Tom Cross is moving toward a statewide run for Illinois Attorney General, state Rep. Jim Durkin said he’s ready to fill the void.

Earlier this year, Durkin (R-Westchester) a former prosecutor and current corporate litigation attorney, was said to be interested himself in a run for Illinois Attorney General.

On Thursday, however, he said this: “I am pursuing the position as House Minority Leader, if and when that vacancy occurs — that may be in the near future,” Durkin told the Chicago Sun-Times. […]

The news comes as Durkin, 52, announced he would not back a vote on same-sex marriage. “I’ll be voting no.”

Durkin had been rumored to be leaning toward a yes vote.

Lots of others are interested in Cross’ job, as subscribers already know.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:54 pm

Comments

– The news comes as Durkin, 52, announced he would not back a vote on same-sex marriage. “I’ll be voting no.”

Durkin had been rumored to be leaning toward a yes vote.–

I guess he knows his caucus.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 1:56 pm
===I guess he knows his caucus.===

And I guess they want to stay in the minority for the foreseeable future.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:17 pm
It’s like announcing you want to be the next Marmol.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:23 pm
“It’s like announcing you want to be the next Marmol.”

Well, shut this comment section down, because that can’t be beat. Standing ovation.

Comment by Served Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:30 pm
- Michelle Flaherty - FTW

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:32 pm
It is also possible he knows his constituency as well as his own beliefs. I’ve known Jim for a long while. He is a decent fellow, and grounded in his beliefs. I might be wrong, but I don’t remember any flip/flop surprises from him…

Comment by LisleMike Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:32 pm
Maybe the House Republicans should vote for the first person to show some leadership and vote yes for equality. That would be impressive to me and that would show leadership.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:33 pm
Bahaaaahahahaaaaa. Michelle—Best line of the thread….
and I’m a Cub fan.

- Michelle Flaherty -
t’s like announcing you want to be the next Marmol.

Comment by ruetheday Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:39 pm
Be bold or go home.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:44 pm
Maybe Durkin is also a practicing Catholic.

Eternal truths matter more than fashionable vogues.

Comment by Avast Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:54 pm
Durkin is, by far, the most qualified House GOP member to succeed Leader Cross. He has the “street cred”, put in this time, and is, by and large, “liked” by most political players, on both sides of the aisle. Good luck, Jim!

Comment by Knome Sane Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:55 pm
…put in HIS time, I meant to write.

Comment by Knome Sane Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 2:56 pm
“Eternal truths matter more than fashionable vogues.”

So he’s in favor of legal polygamy to keep the state in line with the Bible?

Comment by ChicagoR Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 3:05 pm
I hope Rep. Durkin follows his conscience. But if he votes opportunistically that’s on him.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 3:15 pm
he should consider run for senate after GOP Senate “leader” voted present on CCW !!!

Comment by railrat Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 3:32 pm
“Eternal truths matter more than fashionable vogues.”

Guess he doesn’t buy this nonsense about the Earth going around the sun either.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 3:32 pm
Generally good choice, but he does have a bit of a temper.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:20 pm
Too bad.

If the GOP would flip on marriage equality and reproductive rights, I (and a lot of my friends) would join the party.

Comment by HenryVK Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:20 pm
===Maybe Durkin is also a practicing Catholic.===

Maybe he is, but we don’t make law according to Catholic doctrine in this country.

Comment by TooManyJens Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:36 pm
Or Durkin is just politically tone deaf like most of the ILGOP.

The only real question is once Tom gets his butt handed to him in the AG race will he finally fade into political obscurity??? Oh wait….

Comment by Farker Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 4:58 pm
- Michelle Flaherty -,

I saw Marmol today, had a “rocky” 8th, and was glad Marmol was gone.

How do I compete with - Michelle Flaherty -?

Can’t

Durkin could be a good choice, I am not going to say one way or another, but I did nominate Durkin for a Golden Horseshoe, so I must think he is pretty good.

Now, if Durkin can win races, then we may be on to something.

Durkin’s SSM vote is in line with his Caucus, for whatever “bad” that is going to be, and I believe its going to be AWFUL.

It’s a bad vote, the HGOP should put the SSM over the top, innoculate the HGOP and be done with this!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 7:06 pm
oops wrong thread

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, May 30, 13 @ 10:17 pm
ChicagoR & OldSmokey2, the Church’s doctrines are outlined in the Catechism, which is significantly – although not exclusively – influenced by the Bible. Neither polygamy or an earth-centric universe are Catechistic believes. So there is no reason (other than ignorance) to suspect that Mr. Durkin supports such believes as a “practicing Catholic.”

TooManyJens, you are right. As a people, we do not make law according to Catholic doctrine – or any other sectarian doctrine. But as an individual, Mr. Durkin is free to allow said doctrine(s) to inform his believes, and thus his votes. If that becomes problematic for his constituents, they are free to vote him out in the next election.

Comment by grand old partisan Friday, May 31, 13 @ 9:09 am