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Ken Dunkin says he’ll file petitions to run again

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* The Chicago Defender favorably compares former Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) to Barack Obama, highlights his social worker employment, mentions he was “mentored” by Secretary of State Jesse White, and then reports that he’s running for the House again…

Today, Dunkin has focused on the impact of economic Black wealth and the lack of development in African American communities across the city. With five potential candidates running for the 5th District Illinois House seat, he is throwing his hat back into the ring to run.

“Getting back down to Springfield to me would mean coming up with the best and the brightest ideas that my community can benefit from. Because if the Black community benefits, other communities benefit as well. Right now, as you know when Whites are in a recession, Blacks are in a depression,” he says. “Politics over the long run will do nothing for the average citizen out here. They really could care less about all this name calling and finger pointing.” […]

For the past couple of weeks, Dunkin and his team have diligently worked to wrangle signatures in order to make the Dec. 4 filing deadline for the ballot. His presence is seen at the senior homes, the high-rise tenant meetings, local grocery stores and knocking on familiar doors throughout the district. His mantra is to be an “independent Democrat thinker” still running as a Democrat candidate and not an independent. […]

With much on the line and at stake, Chicago voters have very long memories. Dunkin believes he has a shot at winning back a seat he has felt at ease in for 14 years, but once again, the voters will determine his fate on March 20, 2018.

The other candidates are here.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:13 am

Comments

I’m sure Matt Besler and IOP are thrilled by this news…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:16 am
Because … Rauner!

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:16 am
Is this a duplication? This almost belongs under the previous heading “Some People Just Don’t Know When to Quit.”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:17 am
Your previous headline would work here too.

I loathe this man. Would not be surprised if there isn’t one or two #MeToo stories involving him, since I have known him for more than 20 years and he has been a notorious sleaze going back to the early 1990s.

Comment by pawn Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:17 am
I forgot to add, break out the sleeping bags!

Comment by pawn Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:18 am
Speaking of some people don’t know when to quit…..

Comment by Get a Job!! Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:19 am
Dunkin was Rauner’s MVP for two years, his ace in the hole to win all those override votes.

Rauner never hooked him up with a gig? Munger rated, Dunkin did not?

Will Rauner support him now?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:25 am
My favorite was the post-election veto session last year where everyone got up and said something about the departing reps. The only person to eulogize Dunkin was Jim Durkin.

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:27 am
If it becomes a 6 way race he could win. He still has $170k in his account. Since I don’t think there will be TV ads this time around that can fund a competent state rep race.

Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:28 am
-Getting back down to Springfield to me would mean coming up with the best and the brightest ideas that my community can benefit from.-

{sigh} Can anyone list the best and brightest ideas that he had when he previously served in Springfield?

Comment by Sigh Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:35 am
I wonder if Proft will help him this time? If Dunkin were to win, he could be awarded the traveling Century Club trophy a few more times.

Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:37 am
After all the heavy lifting, Dunkin gets to try to run for his old seat again, labeled a Raunerite.

I wouldn’t call Dunkin a top notch deal maker if this was the end game.

I’ll look forward to Jesse White to denounce Dunkin, and actual Democrats to go out of their way to educate voters again who Dunkin represented last time he was in the House.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:37 am
=== he has been a notorious sleaze going back to the early 1990s ===

Uihlein money incoming soon.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:38 am
Has he been looking for a job and couldn’t find one, so he thought he would reapply to his old job?

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:38 am
Even if he wins, he still won’t get a clock.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:39 am
Shouldn’t this be filed under the “Some People Don’t Know When To Quit” article earlier today?

I read the Defender article. I understand Dunkin has some — many, perhaps — regrets. That’s fine. But he’s like Quinn: please, no more. Go away.

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:42 am
No. No. 1000 times No.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:44 am
Dear 5th district,
If Rauner gets back in and cuts child care funding, Dunkin will likely be out of town for the override.

His social service background apparently doesn’t apply for the Rauner override votes.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:48 am
== Dunkin was Rauner’s MVP for two years, his ace in the hole to win all those override votes. Rauner never hooked him up with a gig? ==

Thought the same thing, Word. Rauner knows how to threaten his friends, but apparently doesn’t reward them.

Comment by Roman Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:48 am
Guessin’ Maze et all felt left out with all the $ headed for Ivesavania and Durkieland

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:51 am
A majority of the district will not vote for Dunkin - but he knows that if he can get the 30% who voted for him in 2016 to vote for him in 2018 he has a good shot of winning a 6 way primary.

Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:53 am
Oh, joy. I’ve really missed the red sleeping bag.

Comment by Dome Gnome Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:53 am
I would not want to vote for a political candidate mentored by Jesse White. Jesse is a likable sort, but man some of the people that he has promoted over the years!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:56 am
I’d rather eat mustard on my pop tart than have Ken Dunkin back in Springfield.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:57 am
I doubt Juliana Stratton joined the Pritzker ticket just to see that hard-won seat handed back to Dunkin. There will be a preferred alternative and that person will get plenty of $ and support. This could be a Pritzker-Rauner proxy contest.

Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 10:59 am
A few commenters here expressed what I was thinking already.

“Getting back down to Springfield to me would mean coming up with the best and the brightest ideas that my community can benefit from….”

Why didn’t you do anything when you were in Springfield before?

And….

“Some People Don’t Know When To Quit” article earlier today?

Comment by Honeybadger Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:09 am
=={sigh} Can anyone list the best and brightest ideas that he had when he previously served in Springfield? ==

He brought us the film credit, so movies like “Chicago” wouldn’t have to be filmed in Toronto any more.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:30 am
Roman, Rauner has hooked up plenty of political types with pay days who were not nearly as valuable to him as
Dunkin.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:31 am
I guess Marty Quinn will be wintering in the 5th District yet again.

Comment by TominChicago Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:41 am
If Dunkin does manage to squeak by in the primary by winning a plurality of the vote split among six candidates, he can be sure to face a strong “independent” candidate in the general.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:06 pm
Makes me wonder if his plan is to help get a Republican in that seat in the general election by him splitting the primary 6 ways to win it, possibly knowing he couldn’t, or woudn’t, win the general election. Helping Rauner yet again.

Comment by ILooked Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:28 pm
-He brought us the film credit, so movies like “Chicago” wouldn’t have to be filmed in Toronto any more.-

Was “Chicago” filmed in his district? Did he come up with the tax credit idea, or did someone ask him to sponsor the bill? There is a difference. He said his community: “Getting back down to Springfield to me would mean coming up with the best and the brightest ideas that my community can benefit from.”

What about his New York trip, when his constituents could have benefited from certain bills being passed.

Comment by Sigh Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:29 pm
Is labeling him a Raunerite really accurate? I always thought he just ventured outside his lane too much, especially in a house that requires strict party loyalty. He got punished for it. Clear warning to other house members. I wonder if some of those clocks are winding up on ebay…

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:40 pm
===Is labeling him a Raunerite really accurate?===

Yep. 100% accurate.

66/67 failed overrides, Matt Besler, IOP, the monies and help from “then” Raunerite sources.

More than accurate, it’s truthful.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:44 pm
=== Makes me wonder if his plan is to help get a Republican in that seat in the general election by him splitting the primary 6 ways to win it, possibly knowing he couldn’t, or woudn’t, win the general election. Helping Rauner yet again. ===

If he wins in the primary, either he will win in November or a Democrat running as an independent will win — not a Republican.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 1:46 pm
Que Maze Jackson’s intro song. Something gaudy..

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 2:03 pm
Dunkin will win and yes the tax credit was his idea, just like those higher ed appropriations budgets, his support of a lot of great community programs, get over it was be perfect no, but stop it. Dunkin did alot of positive things in Springfield

Comment by Austinman Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 7:55 pm
“sit down” I’ll be back

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 8:02 am
“he will win in November or a Democrat running as an independent will win — not a Republican. ”

An independent isn’t going to win that seat. That’s a primary = the general election seat.

Comment by Kyle Hillman Thursday, Nov 30, 17 @ 11:57 am