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Mike Madigan to run for Senate

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Illinois

Businessman and Urbana City Council member Mike Madigan said Tuesday he will run for the Republican nomination for state Senate in the 52nd District that includes Champaign and Vermilion counties.

Madigan, 52, is the only announced Republican candidate for the seat held by Democrat Scott Bennett of Champaign. Bennett was appointed to the seat earlier this year after Mike Frerichs, also a Champaign Democrat, was elected state treasurer.

Madigan, a member of the Urbana City Council since 2013, also owns Hickory River Smokehouse restaurants in Urbana, Decatur and Springfield. […]

Madigan is no relation to the Democratic speaker of the House with the same name, although he has worked in the Statehouse. The Republican Madigan worked on the Senate Republican staff for five years in the 1980s and ’90s and as a legislative liaison for George Ryan, when he was both secretary of state and, later, governor.

I told subscribers about this earlier today.

Madigan’s restaurant supplies food to the annual House vs. Senate softball game. I’m a sponsor of that event. I’ve known the guy for years. I’m betting he’ll make a good candidate.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:16 pm

Comments

First… I love to title of the Post, lol.

Hey, it’s true.

It’s going to be fun cycle, this seat will be fun to watch as well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:22 pm
Madigan and the smoked meats that he controls.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:25 pm
Maybe THIS is the Mike Madigan that Bruce Rauner has been communicating with.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:29 pm
Here’s a secondary market for your “Fire Madigan” business Willy.

Mike’s a good guy.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:31 pm
Why do I get the feeling that several Senate races could top $3 million next year? This would definitely be one of them.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:37 pm
I would also imagine that Leader Radogno is breathing a huge sigh of relief that Mr. Madigan is running. If he had not, then who would have run? I heard that no one else was even interested.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:38 pm
Caption for the campaign literature - “I’m the other Mike Madigan”

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:40 pm
- Norseman -, it blew right past me.

Maybe the “overruns” of the other “Fire Madigan” stuff I just can’t move. People want that “2.0″ on stuff.

Thanks, we can work out a “finder’s fee” (new market) for you. We can discuss it at your convenience. OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:40 pm
Does the poor guy know he’s starting out with a 19% approval rate?

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:41 pm
Mike Madigan has ruined Illinois, no not that Mike Madigan. Going to be a tough deal to get over the 10 years of bashing that Mike Madigan has been taking to get voters in a presidential year to realize he’s not the same guy. Especially when whoever is running for House in those districts will be blaming Mike Madigan for everything.

Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:42 pm
This could be a great Onion article:

“Area candidate reminded he shares name with unpopular-yet-powerful official”

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:44 pm
I wonder if he sends fundraising letters asking loyal Dem’s to donate to the Mike Madigan campaign?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:48 pm
That name isn’t as tarnished in that area as in others. They had a popular Sheriff Madigan there for years.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 1:49 pm
=That name isn’t as tarnished in that area as in others. They had a popular Sheriff Madigan there for years.=

I think the name that will have a bigger impact is Rauner. Alot of AFSCME households in this district with the prison in Vermilion and the University of Illinois. Let’s see if they learned their lesson after 2014. This is a good race to gauge to see if AFSCME leadership actually has a game plan in place to convince republicans in their union that Rauner and his candidates are bad for their personal finances.

I have a feeling 2018 gubernatorial candidates on the Dem side will be watching this district closely too.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:00 pm
But, but, but, Madigan!

Comment by Concerned Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:12 pm
If Mike Madigan (R) uses apple-smoked pork and bacon at his restaurants, I just give up.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Would the other M. Madigan go to 52nd district and campaign for him? That would make a fun picture.

Comment by a drop in Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:20 pm
Jake - his BBQ is pretty good, but the best part of Hickory River (in my opinion) are the baked beans and corn bread.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:20 pm
He’s always been my favorite Mike Madigan. The popular sheriff is his uncle. The family has been politically active in that area for a long time. I think he’s crazy for running, but he will be as formidable a candidate as the Sen Repubs can find over there. The presidential election year is going to hurt him, but I wouldn’t count him out.

Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:31 pm
This reminds me of when Jim Ryan ran against Blago. The Ryan name sunk that candidate and with Rauner spending his own money to demonize the Madigan name this race should be a hoot.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 3:07 pm
so about that blame madigan campaign…..

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 3:14 pm
Scott Bennett has been a terrific Senator for this community so far. Madigan is going to need all of Rauner’s millions to even have a chance.

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 4:25 pm
Ask Jim Ryan how that same name thing worked out.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:10 pm
I think Rauner has expressed a desire to take control of the GA in 8 years. 2016 is the first chance to see how many seats he can gain or lose. Is this Madigan going to need to run as a pro- turnaround guy. A good first opportunity in 2016 to see how much the public agrees with the OW premise that Governors own.

Comment by Bemused Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 10:07 pm