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Take Frerichs off the 2018 governor’s list

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Illinois

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, a Champaign Democrat, said last week that he’s “not looking at” running for governor in 2018. […]

And he shied from offering support for any of the other possible Democratic contenders, but took a shot at Rauner.

“I think part of our problem with our state is that everyone is looking at the next election and not looking at the office they were elected to,” he said. “At some point people have to stop campaigning and start governing. I had some hope after this last election the governor and Genera Assembly would sit down and focus on governing. But his reactions are to create web sites attacking other people and put $50 million into his campaign fund. It’s clear it’s going to be a two-year campaign, not two years of governing.

“I choose to focus on governing and managing my office rather than campaigning right now.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 8:36 am

Comments

Very smart Frerichs.

No need to be in a hurry, and staying and running for re-elect only makes him strings in the end.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 8:38 am
*stronger

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 8:42 am
Exactly right OW. Frerichs is playing the long game and playing it well. He will be a formidable candidate down the line.

Comment by slow down Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 8:58 am
Frerichs is a smart man. Only sit at the big boy poker table if you have big chips. $50 mil or more in chips that is…..

Comment by Rocky Rosi Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 9:03 am
===He (Frerichs) will be a formidable candidate down the line.===

“Slow down”, Speed Racer…

It will make him stronger, and stronger and formidable are two different things.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 9:07 am
He was never on my list.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 9:18 am
A statewide officeholder with a modicum of self-awareness…? Far out….

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 9:23 am
There are $50M reasons why he said “No” to running against Rauner. Shows our Treasurer can truly add. That’s good.

Look, there are only a few truly viable Democratic candidates, but the self-funders are the only ones that are legit so Cullerton & Madigan can focus on their caucus races.

Comment by Deft Wing Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 9:48 am
his office manages itself. if he’s not running, there’s a reason for him not doing so that doesn’t involve governing.

Comment by jim Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 10:01 am
“Not looking at” isn’t exactly Sherman-esque, but it’s no longer time to be coy. Plus, it makes sense; he basically won his first election on Penalty Kicks. He needs to show a clear win before he thinks about one of the three big chairs.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 10:04 am
By fall, the interest in the Dem. nomination for gov. ought to be directly proportional to how “the Donald” is performing.

Comment by Elmira Eddie Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 10:27 am
Frerichs is angling for Durbin’s seat, and hoping that Durbin retires in 2020.

Comment by Snucka Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 10:52 am
==By fall, the interest in the Dem. nomination for gov. ought to be directly proportional to how “the Donald” is performing.==

Two big independent factors abstract away from that- strength of the office and Rauner’s money.

Plus, I looked back at the last few years of midterms in IL over the weekend. There’s a lot of deviation from national trends.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 11:07 am
Mike Frerichs is bright and should be an elected office holder for a long time. Smart of him to play the long game. There are a couple of statewide offices that have generational turnover on the horizon (not necessarily in 2018 though).

Comment by The Velour Nail Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 11:27 am
Can Mike raise $100 million?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 11:40 am
Thanks Captain Obvious

Comment by Signal and Noise Monday, Jan 9, 17 @ 6:35 pm