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Republican Party calls White’s decision to run again “a gift to Madigan”

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Illinois

* ILGOP…

“For a second time, Jesse White is breaking his pledge to voters not to run for re-election. It’s no surprise, coming from a career politician and Madigan patronage chief who consistently breaks his word.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe

After a disastrous license plate rollout called “ghastly” and “a mashup of indiscernible clip art” by members of the press, Secretary of State Jesse White today announced he would run for re-election.

The announcement comes after White repeatedly promised he would not run for re-election.

In 2009, White told the Southern that “if re-elected to a fourth term in 2010, he will retire in 2014 and pursue only volunteer work.”

White broke that promise in 2014, running for re-election.

“This will be it,” he told the Daily Herald.

In 2015, White doubled down, saying “I’m not running in this next election.”

And in 2016, White said “You can take it to the bank. This is it. This is my last tour of duty.”

The Chicago Sun-Times then reported that Madigan wanted to change White’s mind. Now Jesse White has obliged.

White’s decision to break his promise is a gift to Madigan. Jesse White is well known for a “pattern of patronage” in his office. Mike Madigan relies on this patronage for his political machine.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:01 am

Comments

ILGOP really needs to get a life.

Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:05 am
I’m surprised they didn’t blame yesterday’s rain on Madigan. You know he’s the salt of the earth.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:05 am
Big talkers.

So who is the GOP running against him?

Heck, who is the GOP running against Preckwinkle and Berriios? If they don’t try to make inroads now in Cook, they never will.

Is Rauner building a real party or a rich dude’s hobby horse?

I kid. I know the answer to that question.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:06 am
“Dear Mr. Yaffe,

Oh yeah? Who you got to beat him?

Signed,

History”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:07 am
I can only assume that the ILGOP will hold Bruce Rauner to his statement that he wouldn’t run again if the state isn’t doing well under his leadership.

Comment by Father Ted Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:07 am
Who is the likely GOP nominee for Secretary of State? Did he or she give a speech yesterday? Were there any signs or tee shirts? Has Rauner endorsed a candidate who will run “as an independent Republican,” like Erika Harold, yet?

Treasurer?
Comptroller?

Those candidates sure missed a good opportunity to meet Republican grass roots activists yesterday. What a shame.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:08 am
The story the IL GOP links to in that release is from the year 2000. Way to have current info there…

Comment by In Urbana Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:09 am
Better luck attacking motherhood and apple pie.

Comment by wondering Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:10 am
Can’t wait for the IPI cartoon to describe this announcement.

Comment by Evanston Dem Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:10 am
Bruce Rauner’s party staffers are calling a rollout disastrous?

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:15 am
Don’t mess with Jesse

Comment by Come on man! Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:17 am
Pretty risky going after the only African-American state wide office holder the day after the IPI cartoon fiasco and days after Charlottesville.

I do have a insider tip for the ILGOP, beat him in an election, you’ve had nearly 20 years to beat him and you haven’t.

Comment by Swift Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:19 am
I love Jesse. However it’s probably time for some fresh perspective in that office.

Comment by Saluki Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:22 am
Sounds like the ILGOP is scared of White’s name being on the ballot and/or they were going to run someone for that office if White retired.

Comment by Real Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:27 am
hahaha

Who was the political strategist who thought attacking Jesse White would gain traction?

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:31 am
“Disastrous?” How many social support programs had to close their doors because of an ugly license plate? Sheesh

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:33 am
Jesse White cleaned up a corrupted and controversial SOS office after Ryan left. Without incidents.

He then ran the SOS office for the next 20 years. Without incidents.

White has done in five terms what Rauner failed to do in one.

So, hey Yaffe?
FU

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:34 am
FU =(Follow Up)

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:37 am
Boy, you can tell Mike Z. ain’t counseling this team anymore.

You know that Jesse was a member of the 101st Airborne, probably the most elite fighting force in the US Army?

What’s next…Peraica announces against Preckwinkle?

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 11:39 am
Yeah, for as long as Gov. Gaslight remains in office, we need as many of the other constitutional officers as possible to be people who do not answer to him. Vote Jesse White.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:00 pm
Weak sauce from ILGOP

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:16 pm
Jesse White does a team player and always has been. That’s what governor IPI press people don’t understand. He’s not a rich megalomaniac like their boss.

Comment by Porgy Tirebiter Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:17 pm
IGOP - clean up your own crappy yard before you tell Jesse to pluck out that dandelion over yonder.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:19 pm
This would be way more effective if they, oh I don’t know, maybe had a candidate for the office they were ready to promote. So sad GOP.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:19 pm
They wont denounce Trump but go after Jesse White?

Oddly this probably had the opposite effect…. people will be more likely to posit thay if Madigan is with white then Madigan must not be all that bad

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:31 pm
As for Jesse, if it ain’t broke(n), don’t try and fix it (with a fresh perspective?).

Comment by LINK Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 12:59 pm
Just because Jesse White changes his mind about running for reelection. Now he is a person who cannot keep his word to the voters. This whole thing is the classic scene in the movie titanic. Where the boat is sinking and the ILGOP orchestra is playing and Rauner singing…. Don’t worry, everything will be alright. We’ll take the SOS from them and an additional 9 house seats. Trust me good people of Illinois. Please, will the GOP ship just go under to spare us the BS spin…… Where are the Russians when we really need them?

Comment by Hey Now Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:09 pm
Jesse has done a great job for a long time. Some flubs here and there? OK, but overall who has done better? Republicans need to come up with the person capable of beating Jesse White, not just wish he would retire and step away. It’s a gift if the opposition cannot get a strong candidate.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 2:07 pm
If “ugly license plates” is all the GOP has against Jesse (and it is), they need to pack it up and go home.

This guy revolutionized the office. You can renew your driver’s license on your lunch break. I was in and out in 17 minutes last time.

Who remembers the days before Jesse, when you would be standing in line for hours??!?

Seriously GOP, this is Illinois, not some high school election. Pleeeease step up your game and stop insulting our intelligence.

Comment by Rosey Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 4:03 pm