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* UPDATED x1 - ILGOP responds * Frerichs endorses Pritzker, Ammons endorses Biss

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* Press release…

Today, Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs endorsed JB Pritzker for governor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Illini Union. This marks JB’s third endorsement by a statewide officeholder after Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Secretary of State Jesse White endorsed the campaign.

“There is no one standing taller for Illinois families than Treasurer Mike Frerichs,” said JB Pritzker. “Mike works hard every day to put his office on the side of working families. While Bruce Rauner racks up state debt, Mike is fighting for the investments that will help reduce the debt. And while Bruce Rauner lets businesses leave our state and wastes opportunities, Mike is finding ways to encourage investment in our economy and looking to the future. I think it’s time Mike had a partner in the governor’s office, fighting right beside him. Together, we’re going to make Illinois a place people respect and a place where innovation happens. When I’m governor, we’re going to help small businesses thrive.”

“As the state’s chief investment officer, I’m confident that JB Pritzker will restore fiscal responsibility in Illinois and I’m so proud to endorse his campaign today,” said Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. “I’ve seen firsthand how Bruce Rauner has wrecked our state finances, putting Illinois through a historic budget impasse and pushing colleges and universities to the brink. We must bring Illinois out of financial ruin and I know JB is ready to get our state back on track. JB has real plans to stand with our entrepreneurs and college students, grow our economy, and create jobs across the state. I look forward to standing with him to invest in our communities and chart a new path forward for Illinois.”

*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…

Mike Frerichs is “Standing Tall” for Mike Madigan’s Handpicked Candidate
With a record of standing in Madigan’s shadow, no surprise Frerichs has lined up with Pritzker

“With yet another Madigan ally lining up behind Pritzker, it is clear that the Madigan Machine will stop at nothing to secure the nomination for Pritzker. Mike Frerichs has repeatedly stood with Madigan to gerrymander legislative maps and hike taxes on Illinois families. Now, Frerichs plans to do the same with J.B. Pritzker, Mike Madigan’s handpicked candidate for governor.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

On Wednesday, Mike Madigan ally and tax-hike supporter Mike Frerichs endorsed J.B. Pritzker for Governor. The announcement comes as no surprise as Frerichs has a record of blocking reform to protect Madigan’s power.

During his time in the Illinois Senate, Frerichs voted in support of Madigan’s gerrymandering of legislative district maps.

Frerichs also voted for the 67% Quinn-Madigan tax hike that put an increased strain on Illinois families already grossly overtaxed by Democrats in Springfield.

Madigan’s Tax Hike Team is back at it, adding one more name to the growing list of Madigan cronies backing his handpicked candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* Press release…

Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons, who represents the 103rd District.

“After three years of working with Daniel on progressive legislation that prioritizes working families and the marginalized members of our state, I was filled with hope when he announced his run for governor,” said Representative Ammons. “Today, I am proud to endorse Daniel Biss for Governor of Illinois.

“The 2018 election will be a defining moment in Illinois’ history. We have the opportunity to change the landscape, direction, and priorities of Illinois politics all across the state by voting in our local elections all the way up to the governor’s race” said Representative Ammons.

“With his decade-long record of grassroots organizing and legislative accomplishments to make our state a better place for middle-class families like his own, Daniel is the progressive leader I trust to lead that change. I look forward to rallying our communities and our state around a hopeful 2018 election cycle.”

“Carol is a progressive champion and it’s an honor to welcome her to Team Biss,” said Daniel Biss. “This campaign is about building a grassroots movement to fight for middle-class and working families in this election cycle and beyond. Recognized in her own community, across our state, and even by Bernie Sanders as a tireless leader of the progressive movement, Carol is an invaluable member of our team. Her passion and dedication have been an inspiration in the legislature and progressive community, and I look forward to working together on the campaign trail and beyond.”

In endorsing Daniel Biss, Carol Ammons joins other progressive leaders and organizations including U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, former Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon, State Representatives Kelly Cassidy and Will Guzzardi, and many more. See the full list of endorsements here.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:22 am

Comments

Grass roots, dog whistle marijuana legalization

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:33 am
This is a giant slap in the face to Frerich’s Chief of Staff, Jay Rowell…who is a chief advisor to Kennedy. Not sure why Frerich’s ever allowed that to begin with, but this is interesting.

Comment by flame Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:36 am
I’m genuinely curious as to why Pritzker keeps winning these bigger endorsements. No snark, but is the main reason really Pritzker’s money, or something else?

Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:40 am
Wasn’t Ammons one of two elected officials who voted present on the anti-bds legislation. This, coupled with Rosa Ramirez and the anti-Israel leaders of dfa, makes you wonder what biss’ real feelings are regarding Israel. He is certainly surrounding himself by a bunch of people hostile to Israel.

Comment by STIP Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:44 am
IMHO JB is getting the endorsements because he is intelligent, personable and decent with election strategy. I for the life of me can’t figure out why Biss and Kennedy won’t move out of the way. I guess better to damage your own party in a climb for personal glory then to out the current gov.

Biss is all about the ego, he is a math wiz after all, just ask him…. Or wait 5 min and he will tell you how humble and great he is…..

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:51 am
” No snark, but is the main reason really Pritzker’s money, or something else?”

Money is a big factor. He also seems to have the only campaign infrastructure worth anything. And his messaging is better than anyone else. He has successfully recruited party insiders. He ain’t bad at politicking.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:51 am
===but is the main reason really Pritzker’s money, or something else?===

He’s a personable guy who they believe has the best shot to beat Rauner with his cash. They also feel like he’ll hire smart staff and essentially let them run the show. I’m not voting for him in the primary but I get the appeal. He’s my second choice.

===biss’ real feelings are regarding Israel===

As a fellow liberal Jew, I sympathize with Daniel here. Frankly, most of us hate the current Israeli government and find their treatment of Palestinians abhorrent. At the same time, we firmly believe Israel has the right to exist.

It’s a hard line to walk in modern America, where according to the purists on either side you’re either pro-subjugation of Palestinians or support Hamas in slaughtering Jews. Gray areas are real here.

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:54 am
“no one standing taller…than Treasurer Mike Frerichs”

Heh. Puns.

Comment by Stormfield Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 11:56 am
I think Ammons is the better “get” in terms of finding votes, but Frerichs mitigates her impact to a large degree.

==No snark, but is the main reason really Pritzker’s money, or something else?==

At the end of the day, yes. But it’s really how Pritzker’s using the money- he’s already put money behind defending GA Dems and building a statewide organization. He’s basically the only one in a position to build a separate apparatus, not just rely on Madigan.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 12:00 pm
==PJ==

That is ridiculous. BDS only focuses on Israel…not on China, not on Russia, not on Syria, not on all of the countries that oppress women, gays and minorities. Opposing oppression is clearly just a pretext. The reality is these people are anti-Semitic and hate jews.

Comment by seminole Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 12:03 pm
===The reality is these people are anti-Semitic and hate jews.===

Thanks for the excellent demonstration of my point; either you hate Palestinians or you hate Jews. Reasoned debate is impossible with responses like this.

Let’s talk reality - the treatment by the Israeli government of the Palestinians has been absolutely awful. I’ve been to Israel, and I know and like people on both sides of this issue. But the deflections (what about Syria?!) don’t change the fact that what is happening is Israel is unacceptable.

Is our standard now officially “we’ll treat people like the Chinese and the Syrians”? They do it, so it’s fine? If BDS (which I don’t support) went after them too, you’d be ok with it?

It’s possible to be against human rights violations *everywhere*. Jews lose their moral authority to speak on that topic when they choose to ignore what’s happening in Israel. It makes me sick that we’ve spent centuries being oppressed only to turn into the oppressor at the first chance we get.

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 12:46 pm
===Jews lose their moral authority to speak on that topic when they choose to ignore what’s happening in Israel===

Maybe. I dunno. But I do know that focusing only on Israel is highly suspect to me.

Now, let’s move along.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 15, 17 @ 12:48 pm
ILGOP response thinks saying madigan wins constitutional offices

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 7:53 am
The treasurer of the most poorly financed state in the United States endorses a financially incapable, shady, bloated billionaire with a history of trying to weasel an office from blago. Anyone surprised?

Comment by Max Bayer Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 9:10 am
===At the end of the day, yes. But it’s really how Pritzker’s using the money- he’s already put money behind defending GA Dems and building a statewide organization. He’s basically the only one in a position to build a separate apparatus, not just rely on Madigan.===

Fighting fire with fire just creates more fire. Where do you think he wouldn’t rely on Madigan anyway, he’s relied on Blagojevich before?

Comment by Max Bayer Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 9:13 am