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Kennedy, Pawar start hiring

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Illinois

Chris Kennedy, who is moving toward a run for governor as a Democrat, made his first big hire. Kennedy has secured veteran political ad guru and strategist Eric Adelstein, a Kennedy aide told POLITICO Illinois. Adelstein is a top-tier get for Kennedy. As it so happens, Adelstein boasts this tidbit in his bio: “His grandfather, a civic leader in 1960’s West Virginia, campaigned with Bobby Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.” Chris Kennedy is the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy. He is expected to make an announcement about a gubernatorial bid in early 2017.

Adelstein is a good get, for sure. But Kennedy isn’t the only guy doing some hiring.

* I’m told by one of his advisers that Chicago Ald. Ameya Pawar, a noted city progressive who is also seriously considering a gubernatorial bid, is hiring Sam Hobert. “He’s the equivalent of an exploratory campaign manager,” the adviser said. Right now, Pawar is in outreach mode.

You may recall that Sam just won the Golden Horseshoe Award for best Senate Democratic campaign staffer.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 10:40 am

Comments

When they are both “done” with the hires and the posturing and all that fun fuzzy stuff…

… they get to $10-20 million to get through the Primary against their opponents and the pounding Rauner is going to give, then I’ll see these moves with a clearer understanding that both understand what an uphill claimb this is, and they have the fuel (real, real dollars!) to get through Phase One, and still be able to fuel Phase Two

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 10:44 am
Unless Kennedy can change the “Blue Blood” Label and show his Carhartt coat side, if he has one- It doesn’t who he hires. Key is to fight for the working class.

Comment by Rocky Rosi Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 10:49 am
At this point, pretty much any Democrat (with the exception of Blago) would be preferable to Rauner

Comment by Romeo Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 10:50 am
Ameya Pawar so he can chant “I’m number 3″ ))))

Comment by Fav Humans Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 10:55 am
Hey, if Kathy Byrne (who quit the Racing Board in what seems to me a principled effort) can float a Lt. Gov campaign idea via Sneed, why not Pawar for Gov.? He’s a good guy and clearly is looking at farther down the ballot.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 10:58 am
What no concerns about conflicts of interest ( merchandise mart sale, Wolf point Development…) or income inequity ? Are the Dems ready to support/defend a candidate that has publicly stated ..”"We are a very public family with a very private investment philosophy, Kennedy said.”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carlodonnell/2014/07/08/how-the-1-billion-kennedy-family-fortune-defies-death-and-taxes-3/2/#323565667dbf

Comment by Texas Red Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 11:05 am
Like all statewide candidates, I’m sure Pewar is going to enjoy the experience of learning just how freaking huge this state is. Democrats outside the 47th ward are very very different. Outside of Chicago, for example, they don’t like “road diets.” In fact, they love and rely on their cars. Should be a great learning experience for anyone who jumps in.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 11:15 am
Hobert could be seen as a blow to/tea leaf on Manar. Manar would probably hope to consolidate the talent on Senate Dems’ staff.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 11:17 am
Whoever the Democrats run, they will need a large, almost unlimited amount of funding to counter-attack all the attack ads that are funded by Rauner.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 11:44 am
Dems could lose the entire election in the primary by too many candidates winning and an unelectable one statewide getting the nomination. If Kennedy and Quinn (who has name recognition) and Robin Kelly and a downstater and Pawar all run, any of them could win the primary (except maybe Pawar )

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 11:47 am
er, too many candidates running…

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 11:52 am
DuPage, it will get easier when Rauner eventually breaks the caps. But unless you’re Pritzker, you are going to be running behind no matter what.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 12:29 pm
These Kennedy’s….jeez, STOP!!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 2:05 pm
Maybe they can share some staff. #goingnowhere

Comment by A guy Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Pawar may be along shot, but I would not count him out of it.

Comment by Groucho Friday, Dec 16, 16 @ 3:05 pm