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* Bernie…
Could ERIKA HAROLD, the former Miss America who ran for Congress from the 13th Congressional District in the 2014 primary, be a Republican candidate for attorney general?
MARK MAXWELL, Springfield bureau chief for WCIA-TV, recently said on Twitter that Harold is the state GOP’s leading candidate for that office, held since 2003 by Democrat LISA MADIGAN.
Harold got 41 percent of the vote in a three-way primary race in the 13th in 2014, losing to U.S. Rep. RODNEY DAVIS, R-Taylorville. The 13th includes part of Springfield.
I left messages for Harold — who practices law in Champaign — and got a reply back from a spokesman for the state GOP, who sent a quote from Davis.
“Erika Harold is exactly who we need to take on the Chicago machine,” the congressman said. “A Harvard-educated lawyer and a national leader combating school violence, Erika Harold tells the hard truths and always stands up for those in need. I know she’ll take on the corruption in state government.”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:25 am
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Why not Erika? I look forward to Lisa Madigan discussing all the political corruption she has prosecuted as Illinois Attorney General. /s
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:26 am
I guess she *could*, but she hardly seems like the strongest candidate.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:29 am
Fair or not, Lisa is going to have her hands full next year — no matter who challenges her. There’s just no way her father won’t be a considerable albatross.
Comment by Roman Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:29 am
===…all the political corruption she has prosecuted as…===
Do you know the job of Attorney General of Illinois entails?
Every 4 years, going way back, even back before Jim Ryan…
… Same discussion for weeks… “Why no corruption… ”
This argument, every 4 years, like clockwork.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:30 am
I was expecting the GOP to put up someone a little more seasoned but it seems almost certain Madigan will have a real opponent this time.
Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:31 am
I normally would plead with Ms. Harold to not pull a Jason Plummer but a) I doubt she could beat Carol Ammons given the Urbana partisan bent and b) she has name ID and could be our only LEGIT option.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:37 am
Of course, Lisa Madigan could actually use the huge opportunity staring right at her by actually investigating Joe Berrios and the scam that is the Cook County Assessor’s Office. The Chicago Tribune expose provided lots of good starting points. Chris Kennedy called it a civil rights issue — which it may well be — but has its roots in good ole fashioned Cook/Chicago chicanery.
Lisa could then really do something to separate herself from the increasingly negative shadow cast by her dad.
I’m sure she’ll get right on this! /s
Comment by Stone Cold Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:39 am
Oswego Willy: “with respect.”
I specifically recall Rich posting here about whether Lisa Madigan can be criticized for this when she campaigned on prosecuting political corruption as part of her platform when she first ran for the office.
When it comes to promises to prosecute political corruption, AG candidates own.
And yes, as a lawyer, I know what the duties of Illinois Attorney General entail.
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:41 am
Sounds about right. That’s the IL GOP’s idea of minority outreach. Send the black woman on the suicide mission none of the old white guys want, but we’ll still get to talk about how wonderful we are because we’re promoting a black woman that a few years ago we pulled out all the stops to destroy when she had the nerve to seek an office a white guy did want.
Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:44 am
Swimsuit competition?
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:45 am
Erika Harold is not a “real” opponent. There is zero chance that Ms. Harold will be Illinois Attorney General after the 2018 election.
Comment by Michael Westen Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:48 am
As much I hope the Republican party in Illinois can truly become the opposition party Harold is wishful thinking in defeating Lisa Madigan.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:49 am
I remember her from the dorm in Urbana and I’ll give her credit…she’s stayed consistent about her extreme right-wing views this whole time.
Comment by Doofman Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:50 am
Davis forgot to add, “and I’m very pleased she won’t be running against me again…”
Comment by BattleAxe Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:58 am
Erika’s “beauty contest” background brands her as a lightweight, whether true or not. She would have an extremely difficult time against Lisa, who gets votes across the political spectrum. Only super hard-core demagogues think her last name is the only thing going for her..
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:58 am
==Do you know the job of Attorney General of Illinois entails?==
One of the AG responsibilities is “Ensuring Open and Honest Government.” You’d think that meant political corruption, but it’s just FOIA. In other words, the AG outsources political corruption discovery to its citizens.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 11:02 am
===In other words, the AG outsources political corruption discovery to its citizens===
… or the US Attorney either gets involved and/or tells other law enforcement agencies to stand down.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 11:09 am
People are writing her off too early.
I know next to nothing about her background other than the fact that she’s an Ivy League grad.
I’ve never been thrilled with AG Madigan and have always viewed the Speaker and the AG being of the same family as something of a conflict.
I usually work elections for Democrats, but depending on her background and her positions, I would consider her.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 11:18 am
“I know she’ll take on the corruption in state government.”
Dog whistle for what they hope will be another Rauner “wingman.” Absent an ally to do his bidding in the Comptroller’s office, he’ll settle for AG.
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 11:54 am
Lisa Madigan does not enjoy the same “bipartisan” support she did in her first and second reelections. I think the “beauty pageant” thing cuts both ways so that it’s more of a wash, but pretending that Lisa Madigan is going to have bipartisan support is truly wishful thinking. I don’t know anything about Ms. Harold and maybe she’ll make this an election, but if the Republicans managed to find a Jim Ryan, Peter Fitzgerald, or a Joe Birkett, then Madigan has real competition. Other than her 2002 election, I don’t think the time has ever been better to defeat her than 2018, depending on who opposes her. Patrick Fitzgerald, anyone? Maybe he’s tired of the 7-figure gig. Now I’m engaging in wishful thinking.
Comment by Downstate43 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 11:57 am
Ericka The Raunerite? Not A Chance..
Comment by Shake Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 12:09 pm
If the GOP had a clue, they would recruit someone super legit to run against Lisa.
First, she is certainly the weakest she has even been - strictly a function of the level of toxicity emanating from her last name. Of course, that which giveth, can also taketh away and this is the year it would.
Second, Bruce would want this because it would force the Speaker to have to pull troops and energy off the governor’s race to protect his daughter. Big strategic shift for him.
Finally, Oswego Willy is completely wrong on this. The AG has pretty substantial power under the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act to prosecute one form of corruption and any ambitious AG with half a brain could certainly find the room in other statutes to do the right thing on this front. She has not. There is a reason her father wants her in that position and nowhere else. Don’t be dense.
But the GOP is wrong to back this candidate. They should be on a full blitz to try to convince an unimpeachable heavyweight to try to do this. This is 1,000% unlikely but a Patrick Fitzgerald type would beat Lisa 60-40 in 2018 and everyone on here knows it.
Comment by JP Altgeld Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 12:37 pm
Guess this keeps her name out there until redistricting happens and possibly shakes things up. Or Rodney possibly gets unseated if 2018 has an anti-GOP wave.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 12:38 pm
===The AG has pretty substantial power under the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act to prosecute one form of corruption and any ambitious AG with half a brain could certainly find the room in other statutes to do the right thing on this front.===
When Jim Ryan ran for governor, he abc his campaign made quite clear when Jim Ryan faced these same “wrong” opinings…
The limited scope and the constitutional constraints, throw in the US Attorney and other prosecutorial agencies and law enforcement agencies… this idea that the Illinois Attorney General is some sort of FBI government corruption agency tasked as such is not based in fact.
Weeks and weeks Jim Ryan had to explain this…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 12:56 pm
OW, I respect your work quite a bit, but you are really wrong on this. Don’t ground your reasoning in the incompetent campaign Jim Ryan ran. As the chief law enforcement officer in the State of Illinois, the AG is clothed with tremendous power to fight corruption.
Comment by JP Altgeld Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 1:03 pm
- JP Altgeld -
I appreciate your very kind words…
I come at this in this manner…
When I look at Geo. Ryan, Rod, all the peripheral actors charged and later convinced, (Less Rob B) and I see extensive and exhaustive law enforcement work, and the work of the Illinois AGs within some perspective, these cases within federal laws and federal jurisdictions, I see little reason to beef on the AGs to go after what they could, versus these ongoing investigations that were far larger, and the Feds asking for the wide berth to do their job(s)
As it has been with Chicago Aldermen…
It’s just not feasible.
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 1:09 pm
Lisa will be tough to beat. Someone with a real base and name recognition will be required. DuPage Dan?
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 1:14 pm
No.
Comment by Reformed Public Servant Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 1:29 pm
@JP, do you really want your tax dollars being spent on AAG’s running around the state looking for the next Derrick Smith to setup?
Comment by Illinois O'Malley Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 1:32 pm
I agree to some degree with OW on the authority of the AG to investigate and prosecute political corruption. The AG relies on investigative work done by other agencies that are each subject to their own constraints, either from the law or from politics. It’s not as if the AG can commandeer the ISP. Realistically, state-level corruption investigations and prosecution will always be fed-level.
However, I disagree in that a well-run Republican campaign with a candidate possessing some name recognition and corruption prosecution bona fides could run away with the election if they play it smartly. Jim Ryan was not a great/dynamic campaigner but he had a solid reputation, but ‘02 was the wrong time to be campaigning as a R for AG, especially with that last name. For an AG’s race, you have to run on something like anti-corruption/cronyism…the key is not actually making promises you can’t keep. 2018 is the right year to run a strong candidate against Lisa Madigan and who the state party (Rauner) picks to run will be a good indication of whether there really is an Illinois Republican Party anymore.
Comment by Downstate43 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 1:33 pm
Erika Harold is a very intelligent woman with integrity and a warm personality. She has downstate roots and residency. Excellent candidate.
Comment by Jon Zahm Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 2:22 pm
According to the Trib (from another post), Ms. Harold should run for Governor.
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 2:55 pm
If the Rauner machine puts money behind her, Harold could be the most significant challenger to Madigan since since Brickhead Joe.
On paper, Harold has a great story. She’ll need money to get the story out.
For the record, Madigan’s previous four AG general election wins were with votes of 50%, 64%, 65% and 60%.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 3:23 pm
Rodney figures if she runs for AG at least she can’t run against him.
Comment by Tough Guy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 3:39 pm
A better spot for Ms Harold. Somehow she was convinced in her previous race that Republicans would vote for a woman and for an African American. No chance of that.
Comment by MickJ Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:16 pm
“Or Rodney possibly gets unseated if 2018 has an anti-GOP wave.”
Democrat Betsy Londrigan of Springfield last week threw her hat in the ring for the Dem nomination.
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:27 pm
@OW: agreed on the role the feds play - they catch the massive fish. However, I think there are probably more violations of the Ethics Act than meet the eye and some of those could have teeth and are worthwhile endeavors.
@Illinois O’Malley:
Probably not a bad use of tax dollars - wouldn’t have to be that large of a unit. There are some super talented AAG’s, only would take 4 or so to actually start doing good work on this stuff.
Comment by JP Altgeld Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:33 pm
What would be really interesting, although a hurdle because of this state’s archaic election laws, would be for no Republican to run but for an Independent to run.
Could you imagine like a David Hoffman (bad example because he actually ran as a dem once) but someone with that sort of legal resume that ran as an independent and apolitical person to help clean up the state through that office? That would be a very compelling argument and I think would get every Republican and a fair amount of anti-machine dems.
Comment by JP Altgeld Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:36 pm
Could you imagine like a David Hoffman (bad example because he actually ran as a dem once) but someone with that sort of legal resume that ran as an independent and apolitical person to help clean up the state through that office.
David vs. Goliath rematch. Give this one to Goliath.
Comment by Roscoe Tom Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:26 pm
Why not a former Miss America contestant? The GOP elected a TV reality star to the Presidency.
Comment by ILGOV2018 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:37 pm
Kudos to Davis for being a team player.
Comment by Nice Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:42 pm
The Rauner victory was a combination of unique factors that will not be replicated in 2018. It doesn’t matter who the GOP put up, they’re not going to win the AG race. It is still a blue state and now, it’s an angry blue state.
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:36 pm
I am a conservative who likes what Harold says, so if she’s sincerely interested in challeging Lisa Madigan then Erika needs to know what I think, and not assume.
I thought Lisa wasn’t a good candidate for AG when she first ran for that office. Since then she has been pretty damn good. I don’t like some of her moves, but overall, I’m pretty pleased with her. So, although I like Erika, I’m leaning towards Lisa because I’ve learned to appreciate her time in office.
As a conservative, I like experience over ideology. That’s why I’m a real conservative, not a whack-job.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 12, 17 @ 8:45 am
Those of you who say you don’t know much about Erica Harold should spend some time with the Google, and go past the links about her time as Miss America.
She’s a rock-hard right-winger, would fit in well with the folks from IPI. She is politically ambitious, and has been searching for an office to run for. She just doesn’t want to mess around with anything that pays less than $100K/yr.
She might be easy on the eyes, but the policies she’s espoused in the past would not make our state a better place.
I know the Illinois Republican Party is looking at her, and thinking “biracial background, so she gets the millenial vote”, “woman, so we can vacuum up the suburban women”, and “Republican, so we lock in our base.” But the Millenials and the suburban women will reject her after just 15 minutes of hearing her right-wing diatribes, and the rural Republicans will reject her because she’s a woman or an African-American (and some will reject her on both counts).
She’s not a winner in this race…perhaps she should try for a smaller office, or move to somewhere like St. Louis or suburban Atlanta where she stands a chance.
Comment by Lynn S. Wednesday, Jul 12, 17 @ 3:29 pm