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Rush to retire?

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Illinois

Is U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush finally considering pulling the plug on a job he’s held since 1993?

Sneed hears Rush, the former Black Panther Party member who has held political sway in Illinois for decades despite recent bouts of bad health, has a challenger who is already circulating nominating petitions.

Again.

Sneed has learned Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. (21st), who was elected to the City Council in 2003, has not only voiced interest in the past about running for Rush’s seat — but is once again initiating an opening bid for Rush’s seat.

“He is circulating nominating petitions in the 1st Congressional District,” said a top Sneed source. “I’ve seen them.”

If he does pull the plug, I’d expect more than just Brookins to run.

* Meanwhile, in other news, this is from the NRSC…

Duckworth Snubbed By Colleague

Rep. Danny Davis joins Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Michael Madigan, and the Cook County Democratic Party in refusing to endorse Tammy Duckworth

Good Afternoon,

The divide over Tammy Duckworth’s candidacy continues to grow as her own colleague just endorsed Andrea Zopp in the messy primary.
Chicago Magazine reports that nine-term Congressman Danny Davis is set to join the growing list of Zopp supporters.

The endorsement follows Duckworth’s brutal numbers in a recent poll. Only 25% of Illinois Democrats support Duckworth. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and state Democratic Party chairman Michael Madigan are both noticeably absent from that 25%.

Congressman Davis also expressed his disappointment with the DSCC’s “unfortunate” endorsement of Duckworth:

I thought that was unfortunate. I certainly was not contacted in terms of who I thought a good candidate might be for the Democrats to run. The DSCC can do what they want, but they’ve got to talk around to different entities. I would have felt much better had I been contacted in any shape, form, or fashion.

They really do seem to go out of their way to pump up Zopp. Ya think maybe they don’t want to run against Duckworth?

That poll was done by Mike McKeon, by the way.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:10 pm

Comments

Of course the Republicans are pumping up Zopp. Of course they don’t want to run against her. Zopp’s deep ties to CPS and her vote on the SUPES No bid contract dirties her up plenty. No way is she going to get my support in the primary.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:30 pm
Everybody jumps in when a slam-dunk safe district opens.

If nothing else, Rush will be an all-time trivia question: who did Pres. Obama lose his only race to?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:30 pm
Wow - Danny Davis endorsed an African American woman over Tammy? Holy crap - alert the media.

Do these guys realize how stupid they sound sometimes?

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:31 pm
Exactly the point Rich. The NRSC’s efforts to prop up Zopp tell you all you need to know about how much they fear Duckworth. They know Kirk is in trouble and the more they can muddy the path for Duckworth the better. Frankly, it’s all they’ve got. They can’t exactly tout Kirk’s record.

Comment by slow down Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:35 pm
The really interesting thing was not that Davis endorsed somebody, but that Danny did not express interest in running himself.

This may be the first time in about 20 years he’s shown a lack of interest in a job other than his own.

Comment by Gooner Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:35 pm
Considering how successful the DSCC and Claire McCaskill’s efforts were in the 2012 Missouri GOP Primary, perhaps no one should be surprised that the NRSC is doing something similar one state border away.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:50 pm
“Rush, the former Black Panther Party member…”

Bobby Rush co-founded the Illinois Black Panthers Party. He became the party’s defense minister and later the head of the organization. Folks can argue about whether any or all of that is good or bad, but it’s inarguable that Rush’s role in the Panthers was far more than that of a mere “member”.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 2:57 pm
Team Sleep, you’re right that we shouldn’t be surprised that the NRSC is pushing Zopp’s candidacy, there’s just little reason to think it will have any actual impact.

Comment by slow down Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Good riddance to Congressman Rush. I don’t think he every visited any community in his district south of Blue Island.

Comment by Stones Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:03 pm
It’s hard to think of a less well liked politician in Illinois.

Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:19 pm
Hey, um, guys. I think you’re off script. The message is that Tammy Duckworth is controlled by Mike Madigan and the Chicago machine. You’re not supposed to be highlighting that he hasn’t endorsed her. What good does that do?

Comment by Juice Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:21 pm
Tammy has turned me off big time last few times I have tried speaking with her…IMO Zopp is better qualified…

Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:26 pm
Slow - if their end game is to make Tammy spend some decent coin in the primary, then that sets her back. Almost the same as when JBT had to fend off Jim Oberweis or when Sexy Alexi had to fend off David Hoffman. Both were prospective and preferred frontrunners who had to unload serious amounts of cash in the primary to fend off their challengers, and it hurt them both in the long run.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:47 pm
==- Loop Lady - Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:26 pm:==

Refuse to prosecute police torture? Check
Make bank off worker layoffs? Check
Rahm lackey on CPS board? Check
Sell out the people you are supposed to protect at Urban League? Check
Support corrupt, no-bid deals? Check

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Kevin,

Can’t the NRSC do you and your Crew a solid and try to be less “scared” of Duckworth?

Man, that national eye on the local, always there to “help”.

Hang in there…

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 3:56 pm
Fair point Team Sleep. Zopp and/or Harris’ presence means Duckworth will have to spend some money in the primary. I’m just not convinced that Duckowrth is likely to be challenged in a meaningful way in order to win the nomination.

Comment by slow down Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 4:00 pm
Slow - who knows, maybe Zopp will run commercials of herself juggling chainsaws.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 4:06 pm
You forgot to mention that Zopp only pulled five percent support in the same poll, and Harris only 13 percent. Those numbers are truly “brutal.”

Comment by Retired Lawyer Friday, Nov 13, 15 @ 4:13 pm