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Sen. Duckworth gets involved in another state central committee race

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Pamella Gronemeyer, who is running for the low-profile position of Democratic state central committeewoman in the 13th Congressional District, hasn’t promised to try to unseat longtime Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan.

But one of Madigan’s campaign committees, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, has paid for robocalls by Sen. Dick Durbin and AFL-CIO President Mike Carrigan that endorse Gronemeyer’s opponent, Jayne Mazzotti of Taylorville. […]

“I think it’s been a very tough fight with him and Rauner. Certainly, I’m opposed to Rauner,” said Gronemeyer, a pathologist who lives in Glen Carbon and owns SEMC Pathology in Highland. “But I think that maybe it might be time to contemplate a change [in party leadership]. I think (Madigan) should want to embrace some of the people who are running on the slate with me.

“We are good Democrats. We went to the convention. We supported things. We got out the vote. I think he should embrace us rather than run ads against us. Or come and talk to us even.” […]

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the robocalls for Mazzotti are simply “in support of incumbent members of the committee who have been longtime Democratic activists.”

* Sen. Duckworth is now involved. A reader sent me this voicemail message late yesterday…

* Script…

This message is sponsored by Friends of Michael J. Madigan.

This is Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Democrats need to stand up to Donald Trump. I’m supporting Jane Mazzotti for Democratic state central committee because I know Jane will stand up to Trump and speak up for us. A vote for Jane Mazzotti is a vote against the extreme
Trump agenda.

Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Madigan.

They have to put the disclaimer right up front because of federal law.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 11:48 am

Comments

There are 19 contested races for the 36 members of the State Central Committee.

In the 15th alone there are 5 women running and none are incumbents.

I wonder how many he is injecting himself into?

Comment by illini Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:04 pm
Since Madigan is so disliked even among Democrats downstate, these calls, with their “Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Madigan” recited twice, could have the unintended effect of hurting Mazzotti and helping Gronemeyer!

Comment by Johnny Justuice Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:07 pm
Democrats like Senator Duckworth should be ashamed of themselves.

They are implying their is some imaginary daylight between the two democratic candidates for state central committeeman as far as who will “stand up to Donald Trump”

Using scarce resources to fund mailers describing every Democratic candidate who is opposed to Speaker Madigan as a pawn of Trump is a disgrace.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:07 pm
–They have to put the disclaimer right up front because of federal law.–

Yeah, I didn’t think that was a strategic or creative decision, lol.

Madigan’s calling in markers for past-services-rendered before the primary. I wonder if he’ll have any left when the state central committee votes.

They’ll all be looking for a signal from the guv nominee. I wouldn’t count on any of the possibilities, including JB, to put themselves out for Madigan.

The only contest that matters is in November, and Madigan’s approval rating does no one any good.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:08 pm
Aren’t we able to come up with a campaign message other then standing up to Trump- lame

Comment by Sue Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:09 pm
===mailers describing every Democratic candidate who is opposed to Speaker Madigan as a pawn of Trump is a disgrace===

Says the guy who totally supports a candidate who says one of the most anti-Madigan legislators will work “for” Madigan if she wins.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:09 pm
–Aren’t we able to come up with a campaign message other then standing up to Trump- lame–

Yeah, likely Illinois Democratic primary voters don’t want to hear it, lol.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:12 pm
When your party has no accomplishments other than a permanent 32% income tax with zero reforms and no plans to grow Illinois economy other raising taxes further, you wind up with a platform limited to standing up to Donald Trump.

We’ll see if voters buy it in the Fall.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:14 pm
===…you wind up with a platform limited to standing up to Donald Trump.

We’ll see if voters buy it in the Fall.===

Trump lost Illinois by 16 points.

Even Rauner steers clear of Trump, while Trump polls better than Rauner, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:18 pm
==When your party has no accomplishments ==

Oh boy, the Rauner shill wants to talk about “accomplishments”!

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:19 pm
“When your party has no accomplishments” How many bills were vetoed? All of them? Who’s the obstructionist?

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:22 pm
Is the “party with no accomplishments” the party that passed a budget or the party with a Governor who says he’s “not in charge”? Hmmmmmmmmm

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 12:54 pm
So, Duckworth became senator?
I thought she went into the witness protection program.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 1:32 pm
I would think our two U.S. Senators have much more important things to do than publicly campaign for one candidate over another for State Central Committeewoman. And to do it to appease MJM? Like he’s been such a great DPI Chairman.
Say what you will about Pam Gronemeyer, she’s as loyal and true-blue a Democrat as anyone you’ll find. She’s also an M.D. and a former Bernie Sanders delegate. I wonder if other Sanders’ supporters are being challenged by our good Senators at the request of MJM. That’ll build some party unity for you.

Comment by Really? Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 3:02 pm
@Really?

Yes, other state central committee candidates who are more progressive/independent of Madigan are being challenged by Madigan. Whether they’re being challenged by Durbin/Duckworth, I’m uncertain, but they are being targeted by mailers from Madigan that lie and smear them as Tea Partiers, when they are in fact die-hard progressives.

Comment by Metal Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 3:28 pm
Message from duckworth supporting Cynthia santos as a progressive. What a joke.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 16, 18 @ 3:36 pm