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* UPDATED x1 - Hendon with Hardiman * Filing day kicks off

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* I went to a restaurant at the Springfield Hilton last night to meet with some people and ran into several folks who were in town to file their nominating petitions. It was a jovial atmosphere. Petition filing day is sorta like the beginning of spring training. Optimism abounds. Anyone can be a winner.

Gov. Pat Quinn’s campaign has filed his nominating petitions. I’m told they collected something like ~~25,000~~ 50,000 signatures and pared that down to their best 10,000 over the weekend.

Quinn’s Democratic primary opponent Tio Hardiman has filed his petitions, although there’s a mistake in his running mate’s name on the Board of Election’s website. Her actual name is Brunell Donald-Kyei. She’s an attorney who started at the Public Guardian’s office and is now in private practice. She’s a former foster ward, who went into the system after her mother’s death. She has no political background.

*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times…

Hardiman undoubtedly will face a challenge to knock him from the ballot, but he vouched for his signatures and thanked his consultant, former state Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-Chicago, for personally “vetting” the names to “make sure the signatures were solid.”

Hendon usually does a pretty good job with petitions (he also became an expert at knocking people off the ballot), so Hardiman has a good shot at staying on the ballot.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

All four of the Republican candidates have filed petitions.

* Both Jim Oberweis and Doug Truax have filed petitions to run for US Senate. From a Truax press release…

Doug Truax’s building campaign passed its first milestone early this morning as the West Point grad, Army veteran and successful entrepreneur filed his nominating petitions in Springfield for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.

As a political newcomer, it is a daunting task for a first-time statewide candidate to gather the needed signatures. Truax passed the test with flying colors and has gained additional momentum with two important early endorsements.

“Our campaign is bringing young and old, men and women, rural, urban and suburban regions together in a growing coalition to retire Dick Durbin and take Illinois and Washington in a better direction,” Truax said in Springfield Monday.

In the first two important joint appearances before major Republican audiences where both major candidates spoke, Truax strongly bested perennial candidate Jim Oberweis.

On Saturday in Bolingbrook at the state convention of the Federation of Illinois Young Republicans, Truax won the straw poll vote with 70.9 percent of the vote.

Last week, Truax won 64 percent of the vote at Palatine Township Republican Organization after hearing from both candidates.

“There is a yearning out there for a new kind of conservative candidate who can build a wider coalition in order to defeat Dick Durbin,” Truax said. “We are pleased that the early results indicate that our message is resonating with GOP voters.”

* You can click here to watch the petitions come in and search those already filed. Tell us what you see.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 9:57 am

Comments

I love “Filing Day”. I always thought of it as Spring Training, after all the games are played, and the teams “head North” for the season (aging myself, “head North”, Yikes!)

Couple quick thoiughts on the “earlies”;

Tom Breen, the Thomas More Society, “Purity” opponent to Rep. Pihos…again …

Leader Durkin, if there is a Member of your Caucus going out of his … or HER … way … to help against a sitting member of the Caucus, based on ‘Purity” that needs to be “forced” on your Caucus, I am hoping you will keep your unwavering word …that you are going to support ALL members of your current Caucus, and that the HGOP Caucus reminds him…. or HER … that being isolated in a Caucus, even in a “safe seat” he … or SHE …sits in … can be unbelieveably lonley. Sometimes a “reminder” is a really good thing.

I will be watching the Pihos, the Sandack, the Sullivan races very closely, and I believe more times than not, that you, Leader Durkin, will not disappoint me in your actions, and “actions” during this very critical time.

We are all wearing the same uniform, no matter who we may want to “salute” wearing other uniforms. Teammates.

I do not plan to be disappointed in the HGOP Caucus and staff.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 10:10 am
So looks like Tio Hardiman already got his petitions in for a nominal Dem gov primary.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 10:15 am
Oswego Willy,

Any guesses on the over / under of contested races in the IL General Assembly? Whether primary or general? Will ANY Democratic incumbent in the IL House be facing a primary?

How many targets has Jim Durkin set his sites on?

Comment by Bill White Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 10:34 am
I’ve read the assertion that one side effect of term limits is an overall decrease in the number of contested elections.

When an incumbent is facing a term limit, it’s said to be easier to sit on the sidelines and wait ‘em out rather than challenge. Then, whenever there is an open seat, its a huge free-for-all for that seat.

Comment by Bill White Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 10:37 am
Nifty SBE link—thanks Rich!

Comment by qcexaminer Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 10:46 am
Rich,

Serious question here. The latest Battleground poll has almost all guv candidates about the same as in your latest poll, however, while your poll has Brady at 25% the BG poll has him at 13%. What could be a cause of such a huge margin? Voter fluidity?

Honest question, not questioning anyone’s methods.

Comment by J. Nolan Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 10:55 am
===The latest Battleground poll===

I’m really not familiar with that guy’s methodology so am hesitant to comment on it or even post his stuff.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 10:58 am
- Bill White -,

I am not part of the politcal aparatus of the HGOP, the SGOP, the ILGOP… so for me to commment, knowledgeably, on the strategy, from the strategic angle of planning beforehand, would be very unfair and disingenuous.

If you think I have the answers, you are in a “Caucus of 1″, and if you are mocking that there are “no answers”, and that the Primaring of Pihos… or the Primaring of Sullivan and Sandack make sense, I can’t help you.

I would like to think the HGOP and SGOP will reveal the long term goals in some race targets that will be revealed, and I would also like to see strong messaging that goes beyond 2014.

It is going to take alot more than 2014 to get things back.

If the ILGOP can be here in January 2015, that would be a great start;

Senator Durbin

Republican Governor and LG

Attorney General Madigan

Secretary White

Comptroller Topinka

Republican Treasurer

HGOP get out of Veto-Proof minority status in the House.

Great start. Better than now, and maybe get a message from the newly minted GOP Governor to resonate in 2016.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 11:01 am
=== I am not part of the politcal aparatus of the HGOP, the SGOP, the ILGOP… so for me to commment, knowledgeably, on the strategy, from the strategic angle of planning beforehand, would be very unfair and disingenuous. ===

Fair enough

I guess we will know by next week how many incumbent seats are in play, whether in primary or general election.

Comment by Bill White Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 11:13 am
Rich, gotcha, makes sense.

Comment by J. Nolan Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 11:20 am
O Willie, I think you’re throwing the “purity” thing around a little too freely. There is some “impurity” on the other far end too that can only be dealt with in a primary. Solid officials win primaries in most legislative races. They’re even healthy if someone has put it on cruise control for a while. Sandack is never on Cruise control, Sullivan has been, but not lately, Pihos has definitely been on Cruise control. There are others, but those are the only ones you mentioned. Mike Madigan; never on Cruise Control. 40+ years later, it’s still vital to be first in line. We’ll never know how many “putts” it takes him to sink one. He prefers driving it into the hole from the tee or chipping it in from the fairway on a Par 4. I admire your party building desire, but we have some foundation problems that neither you nor Mr. Durkin can repair anymore. Enter: the people.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 11:28 am
Of fun day!

Looks like Andrade already has 3 opponents.

3 have filed in the 10th (including Derrick Smith).

Comment by dave Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 11:37 am
===O Willie, I think you’re throwing the “purity” thing around a little too freely.===

Actually, quite the opposite.

I chose 4 races that have “Purity” based in their runs.

https://capitolfax.com/2013/11/08/caprio-promises-revenge-against-cross-while-grogan-says-vote-is-no-big-deal/

Revenge? “Purity”?

If your belief … is that My Party needs to “exorcise” those who do not follow “Purity”, you are lost to my message.

===I admire your party building desire, but we have some foundation problems that neither you nor Mr. Durkin can repair anymore. Enter: the people.===

Leader Durkin, voted by acclimation by the HGOP Caucus has a huge obligation to his HGOP Caucus members to back and defend them, even from Slytherin HGOP Caucus Members who require a more “Pure” seatmate.

This is all about the HGOP Caucus finding its “stride” and getting to more like Bernie Petersen and Rosemary Mulligan. We do not need more of the same …”uniformity” …and to defend the HGOP Caucus is the best way Leader Durkin can show everyone we are trying for the Petersen-Mulligan Caucus, and not the “Lead Singer of the Doors” surname, and “Burl’s surname” Representative…. and more and more like those who are unwelcome to diversity.

It speaks loads more to Leader Durkin than to “Purity” …

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 11:40 am
Petition filing day is sorta like the beginning of spring training. Optimism abounds. Anyone can be a winner.

Don’t get excited, Sen. Dillard… Rich is just being polite.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 11:56 am
Willie, I think your “purity” crusade belies your general point. If you’re suggesting we need more Rosemary Mulligan types, you’ve completely lost me. She was among the most despicable political people I’ve ever met; mean spirited, caustic, arrogant…yeah, let’s get more of those. Eek. I know your resounding point is more social moderation, but there are many more social issues than abortion and SSM. In fact, now SSM has passed, there’s almost no buzz about it at all. Perhaps Rep. Harris deciding to accept victory graciously and not spike the ball in the faces of sincere opponents is the biggest reason for that. The signing was a huge celebration and then people went about their business. We need all views in our party (I think we agree on that). What we have now is a crowd of 47 that thinks it can’t get worse. If you’re canvassing, you know better. The whole slytherin’, purity thing is not doing us any good. The HGOP will find it’s stride when we have more “striders”. We’re trying “not to lose” right now. Culture change is needed my friend and that’s only possible with some new faces. 2/3 of the House floor looks like the floor of the NYSE; action, lively debate, range of age and demo. 1/3 looks like Shady Acres retirement center. Not even lively enough to be Del Webb. That’s our side. We need something far different than the status quo. We need people to put a fizzy in our stale water.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 12:05 pm
I am so tired of perennial candidates!

Terrence F. Goggin, you can’t beat Michael Madigan! why do you keep filing and filing and …

(Can’t stop the giggles … gives up)

Sorry, my bad.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 12:06 pm
Read exactly as I post, and exactly as I post it …

=== If you’re suggesting we need more Rosemary Mulligan types, you’ve completely lost me.====

I posted …

===This is all about the HGOP Caucus finding its “stride” and getting to more like Bernie Petersen and Rosemary Mulligan.===

They are the extremes of that 1994 Caucus. That you only … only picked up on the rosemary Mulligan part speaks volumes as to why you do not understand.

===Culture change is needed my friend…===

There are members leaving right now out of 47…there are many not running in the HGOP … right now … this might be one of the biggest HGOP turnovers just based on those HGOP members not seeking re-election … so what are you saying about “Culture change”?

Leader Durkin is no Tom Cross … that is a Culture chage …staff turnover … that is a Culture change … “Purity” runds against HGOP Caucus members requires the Leader to back his Caucus … what don’t you get? Yikes!

“Throw the bums out of the Caucus” is not how a Caucus is run! lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 12:15 pm
Looking for a lesson there Willy. Ain’t one. Maybe I’m just not smart enough. Sorry.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 12:59 pm
- A guy … -,

This ain’t bean bag. A Caucus is only as strong as the weakest member, that understands that 60 is better than 59, and 47 ain’t 60.

You keep focusing on Rosemary Mulligan, and I will focus on the Rosemary Mulligans and Bernie Petersens that are needed to get to 60, in 60 districts, that are going to be quite different in many ways.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 1:02 pm
==The whole slytherin’, purity thing is not doing us any good. ==

Then maybe some in the GOP should stop it with the purity police schtick. I admire OW for pointing out the lunacy of the purity wing of the GOP.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 3:35 pm
ugh…nothing interesting. No fun surprises yet.

Comment by Rhino Slider Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 3:36 pm
Looks like Schock hasn’t filed yet. Assuming maybe just related to the storm in his district rather than anything else?

Schilling has an Eric Reyes against him who may have run last time as a write-in indy who had wanted to run as a Dem.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 4:21 pm
- Demoralized -,

The more “light” that is shined on the Slytherin House Republicans, the better chance My Party has to recover and grow.

It’s more the message than me, but thank you… for pointing me out, among many who are trying.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 25, 13 @ 9:34 pm