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* Tribune…
Juliana Stratton, who’s challenging state Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago in the Democratic primary, announced support from Secretary of State Jesse White, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union.
Stratton is the union-backed challenger to Dunkin, who has created controversy by siding with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on several initiatives that have denied Democrats their 71-member veto-proof majority in the House.
Allies of Rauner are helping to fund Dunkin’s re-election. But Democratic opposition to Dunkin is coalescing. Stratton also is getting the backing of several aldermen, including Brian Hopkins, 2nd; Pat Dowell, 3rd; Leslie Hairston, 5th; Rod Sawyer, 6th; Michelle Harris, 8th; and Brendan Reilly, 42nd. The Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Catholic Church also is backing Stratton.
Subcribers have video of the event as well as other stuff.
* Sun-Times…
In announcing his support for Stratton, White said Dunkin has failed to represent his district by opting not to vote for a bill to restore funding for childcare for low-income families. […]
“I always say when you take on a job, you take on the responsibility for everybody,” White said. “In the case of Ken Dunkin, he has been a big disappointment to me and to his constituents, to the people of the state of Illinois and to the people of the 5th District. The message is they can no longer afford Ken Dunkin.” […]
“When Juliana saw Rep. Ken Dunkin continuously side with Republican Bruce Rauner, she knew she had to stand up to speak for all of us,” [Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle] said.
Others questioned whether Dunkin is still a Democrat: “We did not elect Ken to go and represent the Republicans,” said Ald. Michelle Harris, the 8th Ward alderman who is running for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk. “Now if he wants to wear the shirt, I think he needs to change his seat.”
Others at the event to endorse Stratton included Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), the Rev. Father Pfleger and representatives from AFSCME Local Council 31 and SEIU Healthcare.
* More about the Father Pfleger appearance…
.@MichaelPfleger condemns unholy alliance of @RepKenDunkin and @NRA. #twill
— SEIU HCIIMK (@SEIUhciimk) February 4, 2016
* There were also some loud pro-Dunkin protesters outside the event. They denied being paid to attend, according to the Sun-Times…
There are Ken Dunkin supporters screaming at people coming out of Juliana Stratton press conference. pic.twitter.com/Z53OE3BIk8
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) February 4, 2016
* Dunkin pal Maze Jackson responded on Facebook with characteristic understatement…
Today, I watched one of my political patrons join the political mob to lynch one of his own political children to make Madigan happy. The same Madigan that ran a Republican (McCarthy) against him when he first ran for office. Funny how time flies, but I guess with time and age we start to forget things.
So for all the years that I never said anything about the fact that there is not one Black contractor at the Secretary of State’s office, for all the years I wondered why a Black person could never get a supervisor’s job on the 5th floor besides being clerical, for all the years I defended him in the Black community from people who attacked him…
To see him stand up and participate in this attempted lynching one of our own, one that he raised, one that was a loyal member of the organization, one that helped put his kids through school! I am thoroughly disappointed and heartbroken. Whether he agreed or disagreed to allow Madigan to make you stick a knife in the back of one of our own organization members in unconscionable! And then he won’t even stand with you!
Did the Speaker ever say anything bad about John Bills? Then why you running to the front?
TREACHERY…
Whew.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:24 am
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The only way Dunkin loses is if a coordinated effort to defeat him is unified in such away that the million dollars plus that will be spent by Raunerites falls on deaf ears, and exposing Dunkin will remain the narrative to voters, not just those wanting to know what’s going on.
Dunkin is still the odds-on favorite. It’s going to take loads more than endorsements to take Dunkin down.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:29 am
Maze is characteristically incoherent, self-serving and disloyal. To accuse Jesse White of taking orders from Madigan in this race is insulting TREACHERY.
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:31 am
BTW… maybe Jessie White endorsed against Dunkin because Dunkin refused to return his phone calls during the 1229 fight.
Comment by AlabamaShake Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:33 am
talk is cheap
put good boots on the ground
Comment by walker Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:34 am
Maze Jackson is nothing if not entertaining.
No offense to SOS White - who is a good and honest public servant - but the Derrick Smith debacle kinda takes the shine off of his “Listen to me!” shtick.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:35 am
“I guess with time and age we start to forget things”
Classy Maze. Real Classy. Especially from a guy who is bought and paid for by Rauner.
Comment by horse w/ no name Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:36 am
Maze is staking out his territory for the future. Hire me, I will be the new voice of the black community. It’s money on Maze’s pocket, it’s not black and white, it’s just green.. Time will tell
Comment by Wow Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:37 am
“a loyal member of the organization”
Beyond laughable.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:37 am
The person with the most money wins!! (Dunkins’ loyalty)
Comment by Trolling Troll Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:40 am
“lynching” Come on man. That is so inflammatory.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:40 am
This one is getting ugly in a hurry. I favor the Raunerite candidate Dunkin to retain his seat. The Raunerites will be organized and will outspend their competition. This will be a big test for the Social Services advocates and the Union people to see if they can mount a coherent and effective campaign. It would be a big win for them if they can pull it off.
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:40 am
whaaaaat?! no way were those protesters paid; they love ben funklin!
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:44 am
=There are Ken Dunkin supporters screaming at people coming out of Juliana Stratton press conference.==
I wonder if those are actual supporters - or just some people paid to be supporters. It would have been interesting if some of those supporters were interviewed by the press. Dunkin certainly has the funds to pay people to stand out on the street.
Comment by Joe M Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:45 am
The lack of self-awareness from Jackson is amazing. Apparently he’s known for years that Jesse White is biased against hiring black employees, and yet White endorsing Julianna Stratton is what finally put him over the edge. Strange.
Comment by Snucka Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:48 am
Attacking Jesse White. Interesting strategy for Maze and Dunkin and Proft.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:48 am
Stratton is being significantly underestimated. Dunkin has the money, for sure. The question remains, what does his campaign apparatus look like?
Comment by Anonymouth Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:49 am
it’s a political campaign, Dunkin may win - he may lose. either way it’s just a campaign, it’s not a lynching
really
Maze and Dunkin make quite a pair
Comment by siriusly Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:49 am
Waiting for the announcement from the governor cutting the tumblers budget.
Comment by Trolling Troll Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:50 am
The idea that Jesse White doesn’t support his own race is beyond laughable. Pathetic.
Comment by Politix Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:53 am
Meh, win or lose, Dunkin should do just fine.
Dunkin made an epic, invaluable flip. He’s been the governor’s MVP, by a landslide. You’d think the governor would find some sort of sweet job for him if loses.
Still, if I were Dunkin, I’d be a little nervous about the GOP caucuses experience regarding the K-12 approp. Loyalty was a one-way street on that one.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:54 am
Why does Maze Jackson have influence??? Genuine curiosity.
Comment by The Muse Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 11:57 am
I absolutely love Maze’s contrived outrage, especially knowing that he used to work for Victor and Noonan.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:02 pm
Shorter Maze:
The Speaker is bad!
Do what the Speaker did!
Comment by chi Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:02 pm
wordslinger- ” You’d think the governor would find some sort of sweet job for him if loses.”
****
Superintendent of CPS??? (leaning toward snark)
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:15 pm
Ken, put down the loofah, get out of the Speaker’s shower, pack up your sleeping bag and head home. We’ve got problems in the district.
Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:18 pm
Makes you glad Maze Jackson only has one vote like the rest of us.
Comment by Union Man Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:23 pm
For crying out loud, did Pfleger really say “unholy alliance?”
Can you see your house from up there on the cross, padre?
I’m the most consistent, persistent, Rauner critic around. But that’s beyond the pale.
Your collar doesn’t give you license for such blasphemous, inflammatory nonsense as to what’s “holy” and what is “unholy.”
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:30 pm
Forgive my ignorance, but what does the NRA have to do with Ken Dunkin?
Comment by Logan_voter Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:35 pm
I don’t understand either why Father Pfleger would say there is any relationship between Rep. Dunkin & the NRA?
Richard Pearson of ISRA has demonized Pfleger so many times in press releases for rallies at Chuck’s gun shop that I’ve wondered whether Pearson has him on the payroll to trot out a Chicago area bogeyman to boost ISRA fundraising.
Comment by Payback Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:49 pm
I hope Maze Jackson gets the psychiatric treatment he richly needs.
Comment by Michael Westen Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:53 pm
This post convinced me finally to donate some $$ to Stratton. But amazingly, when I Googled her to go to a website where I could donate, I couldn’t find one? Please tell me that in this race she has a website and a capacity for online donations? If not, I despair for her eventual success.
Comment by Archiesmom Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:55 pm
Word, as clergy myself, I think he is absolutely qualified, (and actually ordained by the church) to do exactly that, pronounce what is holy or unholy. Now I’m not Catholic so I cannot tell you whether he is right or wrong from his doctrinal view. I can tell you that from my faith tradition I would have gone even further with the condemnation. But since Rich would never let that see the light of day, I’ll withhold the malediction. (Truth be told my faith doesn’t have maledictions but I believe Father is very well within his to say what he did)
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:55 pm
How much pressure must MWRD Commissioner Kari Steele be feeling right now? She married Jackson not too long ago.
Comment by Wonderin' Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:35 pm
whats fair is foul
whats foul is fair…..
Comment by Ghost Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:30 pm
You know, I would maybe give Maze some credit for the strategy of taking a shot at the most powerful man in Illinois to gain some relevance… but when you take shots at all the most powerful pols, including Jesse White, the most popular pol in IL, then you’re just dooming yourself to total irrelevance.
Comment by Boone's is Back Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Maze Jackson and Ken Dunkin overplayed their hand on this one. Seriously, attacking Jesse White?! Last time I checked the General Council, Budget Director, Police Director, Senior Staff members, countless DMV managers and supervisors are African American. Hey, why check facts when it doesn’t fit your argument?
Comment by Nick Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:15 pm
This guy is a piece of work. I know this is his schtick, but I still have a moment every time I see someone as craven as Maze use the word “lynching.”
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:16 pm
It’s amusing he chose “Treachery” to end the message.
Lynching? That’s ridiculous.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:08 pm
As indicated my Archiesmom, if Stratton wants to be a serious competitor, she really needs to boost her online presence and have a way for donating online. I cannot find an online website for her either. These are good endorsements, but she actually needs a solid campaign infrastructure and to improve her name recognition.
Comment by NSideLady Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:20 pm
Re payback post: I am an ISRA member and Richard Pearson is right to publicly go after Father Pfleger who is extreme in every regard relating to guns. I mean he even publicly challenged President Obama asking that he implement a policy on the federal level requiring even single gun in America to have a traceable title linked to its serial number. Obama declined to consider that idea.
I disagree with Richard Pearson on some things he writes about, but not on Father Pfleger. Apparently Father Pfleger believes that Rep Dunkin had to become an NRA supporter in order to get Rauner money. Richard Pearson does not understand urban realities, but Father Pfleger has no understanding of the world beyond Auburn Gresham and the poorer communities of Chicago especially as it relates to gun ownership.
Comment by Rod Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:23 pm
–Word, as clergy myself, I think he is absolutely qualified, (and actually ordained by the church) to do exactly that, pronounce what is holy or unholy–
C’mon. You called “lynching” inflammatory, but “unholy” is not?
Throughout history, in the realm of politics, those who have pronounced their opponent unholy have done so to justify some ungodly acts.
If you can’t make the case against Rauner’s actions on the merits, without passing “holy” judgment, you’re pretty useless to begin with.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:23 pm
Rod- “Richard Pearson does not understand urban realities…” is an understatement. Pearson helped recruit Otis McDonald for the Supreme Court lawsuit against the City of Chicago, but the carry bill has lots of bad stuff that mostly affects Chicago people who don’t drive everywhere, like no CTA carry.
If I remember the floor debate on Rep. Brandon Phelps carry bill in 2013, the only Reps. who opposed Duty to Inform (which is basically Stop & Frisk for unmarked tac teams) in the bill were black caucus Reps. Chris Welch, LaShawn Ford and Will Davis. Looks like the Chicago Democrats who Pearson knocks were doing his job for him.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:39 pm
=== As indicated my Archiesmom, if Stratton wants to be a serious competitor, she really needs to boost her online presence and have a way for donating online. I cannot find an online website for her either. These are good endorsements, but she actually needs a solid campaign infrastructure and to improve her name recognition.===
Why is that the case? What percentage of political donations in Illinois occur through online donations? Also, how does a website show a solid campaign infrastructure? I don’t believe that many house incumbents have campaign websites. Does that make them not serious candidates?
Comment by Anonymouth Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:42 pm
I wonder how people who are members of tbd 27th ward dems are feeling. I know many complain about how they can’t move up through the SOS office, combined with how Mr. White did Rep. Smiyh and now he’s doing it to Rep. Dunkin, Maze hiding from what you hear directly from 27th warders may really have a point. Maybe that’s wbu Sen. Hendon calls him Yessie White, Dunkin wins bcz White nor Prekwinkle can influence voters in races outside of their own.
Comment by Austinman Monday, Feb 8, 16 @ 2:25 am