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House Majority Leader could have primary challenger

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Illinois

The son of longtime U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago), Flynn Rush is considering getting into the family business. In what would be his first campaign for public office, Rush’s son is considering taking on one of the most established Democrats in Springfield.

Flynn Rush recently filed paperwork with the State Board of Elections to run in the Democratic primary against State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, who has represented Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood since 1979. She’s the person House Speaker Michael Madigan often relies on for important legislation.

Flynn Rush didn’t return WBEZ’s calls for comment. But his uncle, Marlon Rush, did. Marlon said his nephew is still thinking about challenging Currie, and hasn’t made a final decision. He said the younger Rush thinks not all people of the district have been represented during Flynn Currie’s tenure in Springfield.

“He has a second nature to be concerned for all people,” Marlon said of his nephew. He went on to say that Flynn Rush has worked on previous campaigns of his father, working in polling places and talking with community groups.

Leader Currie’s district was 50 percent black, 22 percent white and 22 percent Latino in the 2010 census.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:00 pm

Comments

Looks like she will have to re-brand herself as simply Barbara Currie.

Comment by My New Handle Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:03 pm
I bet Flynn Rush will “rethink” this at some point.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:05 pm
It would be an interesting turn of events if the Rush Crew and IllinoisGO find themselves with a common goal.

I don’t think that’s in play, I actually don’t know if it’s in play, but would be an interesting turn.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:06 pm
I would not peg someone from Bobby Rush’s family as someone who would be in the pocket of IllinoisGO and the agenda of their anti-worker funders, thus I feel this is more likely to be a project of personal vanity rather than a Raunerite challenge.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Sounds like someone’s trying to line-up a job for the son based on the threat. I doesn’t take much to tie this directly to the fairly strong rumor that the Sr. is likely in his last term. As far as I can tell from the usual southside sources the money tap of Bobby Rush is being turned off soon.

Comment by marrs96 Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Heard this on the radio yesterday. Wondered if the kid is being set up as fodder.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:20 pm
I’m just thinking out loud here, but when was the last time Leader Currie “worked” her district? We saw in 2010 what happens when an official hasn’t worked his or her district much. The same goes for some GOP types, too, but I’m curious about BFC because her primary challengers from years past haven’t exactly put up a huge fight.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:22 pm
Listen for the squelch.

Comment by out of touch Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:25 pm
“Not all people of the district have been represented…”

Then they would know what it’s like to live in the suburban portions of Bobby Rush’s Congressional district…we are completely ignored by him.

Comment by FJ Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:25 pm
Maybe Flynn could ask his brother about working at DOC

Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:25 pm
=Then they would know what it’s like to live in the suburban portions of Bobby Rush’s Congressional district…we are completely ignored by him.+

Truer words never spoken!

Comment by Because I said so... Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:30 pm
IllinoisGO money?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:31 pm
Loss

Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:36 pm
==Then they would know what it’s like to live in the suburban portions of Bobby Rush’s Congressional district…we are completely ignored by him.==

Amen. Guessing Bobby Rush couldn’t tell an Orland Park from a Tinley Park. And when told he had a speaking engagement in Frankfort, Bobby probably thought he got a free trip to Europe.

Comment by nixit71 Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:38 pm
Couldn’t he primary Ken Dunkin? It’s not as if you’d have to move any more than a couple blocks at any given point within the district.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:48 pm
How many folks here remember who Bobby endorsed, & who Marlon worked for, back in ‘03-’04 for the U. S. Senate? Someone in a similar mega-millionaire league as IL’s current Governor: Blair Hull.

Comment by The Historian Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:53 pm
==- The Historian - Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 1:53 pm:==

Who else was running against Blair Hull again? I recall a black guy from the South Side running.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 2:05 pm
To The Historian’s point, the best line during the ‘04 campaign cycle was by Emil Jones Jr who called him Bobby “Price is Right” Rush for his Blair Hull endorsement.

Comment by Dan Johnson Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 2:06 pm
I’d say he has a good shot.

Comment by Ahoy! Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 2:19 pm
I don’t have the Hull FEC reports in front of me, but Hull employees were VERY well compensated in ‘03-’04. I dunno if any donations to a church would be listed as campaign expenses. In ‘02 the congressman backed Republican JBT for Treasurer, & the late Steve Neal highlighted how JBT then hired the congressman’s wife…

Comment by The Historian Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 2:20 pm
=== In ‘02 the congressman backed Republican JBT for Treasurer,====
That’s when Dart was the Dem nominee. And he had backed Obama big time when he ran against Rush. Rush didn’t step foot in the suburbs back then either and Dart was able to get a lot of votes out there and in 19th ward for Barack. Obviously a pay back to Dart.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 2:53 pm
=====”when was the last time Leader Currie “worked” her district? We saw in 2010 what happens when an official hasn’t worked his or her district much” =====

Currie works that district pretty hard, and has phenomenal name recognition. I’ve seen her at events, and there’s just a stream of constituents coming up to her, calling her by first name, and she’s frequently knowledgeable about their local issues. Rush would be in for a tough fight.

Comment by Senator Clay Davis Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 4:03 pm
I wonder why Flynn’s life would be like with Mr. Mike should he knock of BFC.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 4:38 pm
I recall Blair Hull hired Bobby Rush’s brother for a campaign job that paid something like $10,000 per month. His primary job responsibility was to be, well, Bobby Rush’s brother.

It’s good work if you can get it.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 5:45 pm
Interesting, and easy to read something into. Whether it’s at the Gov’s encouragement, it is a key Madigan ally having a primary challenger who may have a chance. If not at the Gov’s encouragement, there will be Rauner friendly support with lots of zeros. MJM would need to spend heavily to support his friend.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 7:50 pm
==Currie works that district pretty hard==

Is that a joke? Unless you consider mailers sent from DPI on her behalf as working the district “pretty hard”. Ha she hasn’t knocked on a door in at least 10 years. All this guy has to do is work and she’s toast.

Comment by Not Funny Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 8:09 pm
Not Funny….I agree. Have relatives in Hyde Park and BFC hasn’t rang a doorbell in 20 years. All he needs to do is work hard and he has a solid chance. BFC is an intelligent legislator though, and if challenged, would work very hard to defend. What gets lost is all the money and resources the Dems will need to spend in securing this Primary. Looks like if it happens this helps Rauner with his game plan.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 8:36 pm
Currie works Hyde Park events fairly frequently. She was out collecting signatures at the 61st Farmers Market a few weeks back. That said, she’s pretty tight with a large crowd of HP elite that could easily raise a lot more if needed.

Comment by Marrs96 Tuesday, Nov 17, 15 @ 9:34 pm
$50k and hard work beats her. Idk how she’s been allowed to get a free ride in a Black district for so long. Same with Bob Rita and Madigan and Burke in their majority Hispanic districts. Only Liz Hernandez has more Hispanics in her district than Burke. Has does he not get an opponent every cycle?

Comment by Not Funny Wednesday, Nov 18, 15 @ 8:34 am
*how

Comment by Not Funny Wednesday, Nov 18, 15 @ 8:34 am
Marrs96, so HP elite basically means “Caucasian” residents of Hyde Park. When BFC chose her areas in the redistricting hustle, she counted out minorities. You can not truly serve by ignoring South Shore, South Chicago, Kenwood and Woodlawn. You go Flynn! She is 74 and has been in office since 1979.It is time for a change.

Comment by Progress Wednesday, Nov 18, 15 @ 9:15 am