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The final final term?

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Illinois

* Secretary of State Jesse White announced his reelection bid today…

One of the things that sets White apart is the promise he kept when he was asked years ago whether he would use the secretary of state’s office as a stepping stone to run for governor.

“And I said I would run for this office and this office only,” White said. “I’m true to my commitment. I always want my word to be good.”

Um. From 2009…

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is seeking re-election for the last time.

The Democratic state officer said if re-elected to a fourth term in 2010, he will retire in 2014 and pursue only volunteer work.

Obviously, he changed his mind.

* White also admitted to a big mistake today…

White did acknowledge one mistake: his backing of Rep. Derrick Smith. White helped Smith get appointed to the Illinois House in 2011 only to see Smith be charged with bribery by federal authorities less than a year later. White said he “tried to set the record straight” by calling for Smith to step down and backing his challenger, but voters decided to re-elect Smith anyway, even after Smith was kicked out of the Illinois House.

No word yet on whether White will field a primary challenger against Rep. Smith.

* And he got a boost from MRE…

White launched his re-election bid at a downtown hotel where he was introduced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who noted that White supported his efforts to become mayor. Emanuel said he wasn’t just backing White to return to the favor, but because of their “shared bond” of public service and White’s “commitment to the next generation coming behind us.” White is well known for the youth tumbling team that bears his name.

White will make another campaign stop today in Springfield. A Republican candidate has yet to surface, leading White to quip that “life is good.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:37 am

Comments

Wow, really going out on a limb there, Rahm.

I breathlessly await your announcements in support of Mom and apple pie, too.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:40 am
So is it true that White is opposed to marriage equality? Did anybody ask him about it?

It seems to me like his political organization, if so inclined, could provide a lot of cover for the several west side legislators who are either opposed or on the fence on this issue.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 11:41 am
One of the nicest guys I ever met in Springfield. He bought me ice cream on the floor of the House back in 1974 when I was just a kid. I’m sure he doesn’t remember it but his simple act of kindness made a big impression on me. Best of luck to him

Comment by Stones Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 12:13 pm
I don’t know what I’ll do come the day I look at my driver’s license and not see Jesse White’s name.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 12:17 pm
Still waiting for Hollywood to produce the biopic of Jesse White that he has been talking about for twenty-five years. LOL.

Comment by None of the Above Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 12:25 pm
I’ve heard Bob Schillerstrom is looking seriously at taking on White after Tom Cross talked him out of running for Treasurer.
The rumor Schillerstrom’s people have been gossiping about is that White will run until just past the primary and then drop out so the party can slate someone. This avoids another primary battle and possibly scares off any legitimate GOP candidates.

Comment by BDuty6 Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 1:26 pm
===The rumor Schillerstrom’s people have been gossiping about===

They’re most likely in for a rude awakening.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 1:29 pm
Smilin’ Bob Schillerstrom is not the man to break DuPage County’s decades-long losing streak for statewide executive office (Jim Ryan excepted).

Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 2:28 pm
Jesse White quit only if his Tumblers quit. And there are only 2 chances of that slim & none.

Comment by Mokenavince Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 2:37 pm
Much like Joe Paterno at Penn State. A man needs to realize when it is time to step away while they are still successful before scandal chases them away and permanently scars their life because they are too old to adequately comprehend what is really going on around them.

Comment by BIG R. Ph. Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 3:40 pm
–Much like Joe Paterno at Penn State.

Good Lord. How dare you?

Joe Paterno, for decades, knowingly enabled and covered up the serial rapes of children within state facilities under his control by a highly paid government employee he hired and supervised.

Paterno also profited from million-dollar business deals brokered by that rapist through his “religious non-profit” organization.

Those are undisputed facts revealed in courts of law.

Somebody needs to take your key to the medicine cabinet, Big Pharma. Don’t drive for a while, either.

Good luck.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 4:18 pm
What Word said.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 4:22 pm
word. Earning that ’shoe in his name every day. Well said sir.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Sep 12, 13 @ 5:08 pm