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Question of the day

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Illinois

Local state senator Scott Bennett said he’s not interested in running for attorney general.

The Democrat Bennett, who is an attorney, said several people asked him about the job after the recent announcement that incumbent Democrat Lisa Madigan would not be running for re-election.

* The Question: Your Democratic attorney general primary prediction? Don’t forget to explain your answer.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 3:06 pm

Comments

I think it’ll be Raoul’s to lose. He’s been angling for this for years so while others may have been scrambling he probably had at least a semblance of a plan in place.

He’s likable, and I think the Dem establishment certainly wouldn’t mind having another African-American on the ticket. Somebody who has been around longer than I: what is his relationship with the former Obama people? I know that he has Obama’s old seat, but curious if any of his big players will be Obama guys (something that would give him another leg up).

Drury will probably have a message that resonates downstate just by sounding the anti-Madigan alarm at every single turn but not sure how that gets him out of the primary.

Raoul v Harold would be fun to see.

Comment by Franklin Delano Bluth Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 3:11 pm
Kwame Raoul
Jesse Ruiz
Myriana Spyropolous
Scott Goldstein
Scott Drury
Sharon Fairley.

Kwame and Jesse emerge as front runners as each is likely to bring a base. The fight becomes shoring up the base, eating into the other guy’s and then winning the burbs. Elaine getting out sets up a fight for the burbs.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 3:12 pm
Isn’t this right up Shiela Simon’s alley? /s kinda

Comment by Vote Quimby Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 3:42 pm
Raoul wins the primary for the Dems. Harold for the Repubs. Raoul wins the general.

Comment by Retired Educator Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 3:57 pm
I think Raoul is the best Dem pick as long as he doesn’t goof up with a silly quote again.

Also: Not going to vote for her, but Erika is definitely a force one underestimates at their own peril.

Comment by WSJ Paywall Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 4:05 pm
Agree that Raoul is the heavy favorite, barring more gaffes or an ill-timed temper flareup.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 4:12 pm
Hastings wins the primary, takes Collar counties, Suburban cook, and downstate for the win. Beats Harold in the General, too.

Comment by ;) Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 4:19 pm
Oh, and Drury registers single digits.

Comment by ;) Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 4:20 pm
I agree the AG Democratic primary race is Raoul’s to lose. He has an unparalleled legislative record, and that will be tough for any attorney who emerges from private (or public) practice to overcome.

I’m still holding out hope that this primary race still includes a few more of the female rising stars of the democratic party. Kelly Burke is a thoughtful legislator who has tackled some heady issues while serving in the General Assembly. Nancy Rotering was able to make her assault weapon ban “stick” through savvy legal action up in Highland Park. She also surprised many as a prolific fundraiser in her primary challenge to Brad Schneider.

Comment by Gentlemen, behold! Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 4:31 pm
Status Quo wins Democratic, Miss America wins Republican. Hot chick wins.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 4:35 pm
What about Jack Franks?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 5:01 pm
Harold is a good campaigner, but abortion rights rare going to be the key issue.

Comment by filmmaker prof Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 6:14 pm
It’s Drury’s to lose. Anyone whose ever come out of the US Atty offc plays well with the voting public and his anti-Madigan message plays perfect in the primary. Insiders know he’s a gadfly but the voting public sees a compelling candidate.

Comment by TooDaLooMF Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 6:16 pm
Jack Franks might be a strong general election candidate, but his conservative voting record might not help in the Democratic primary. On the other hand, if there are a dozen or so progressives on the ballot, the one conservative might squeak by.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 6:37 pm
==It’s Drury’s to lose.==

I’ll believe that when I see $$$ pouring into his campaign. The big donors aren’t going to support a gadfly and it will take money to get his name and story out.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 6:40 pm
Crazy as it is, Drury probably has the highest name recognition, right?

My gut says Kwame is the favorite, but I’d just soon wait to seethe Q3 reporting and then See who actually files before making any predictions. And I probably won’t make any even then.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Sep 26, 17 @ 10:14 pm