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Drury talks like he’s running for something else

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Illinois

* Rep. Scott Drury’s message to his supporters…

On January 11, 2017, I fired the shot heard round Illinois - I didn’t vote for Mike Madigan for House Speaker. At the time, I said I wanted to give “hope to the hopeless” and that I anticipated repercussions.

The repercussions were almost immediate. Petty at first, they ultimately transitioned to an all-out blitz to thwart our campaign. Indeed, no campaign had more hurdles thrown in its way than ours. That, more than anything, shows the power of our message.

We came up short yesterday. But we did not lose, and we should not hang our heads. The Berlin Wall did not fall in a day. It ultimately did fall, however. I am confident we have taken chunks out of that wall.

We have changed the conversation in Illinois. For the first time in decades, Democrats in Illinois feel empowered to speak out against wrongs - not just on the right - but within our own party. And that’s okay.

Yesterday’s final numbers don’t tell the whole story. While we have a lot of work to do in the Chicagoland area, everywhere else voters heard our message and voted for change. We must build from there.

I want to thank everyone who made this campaign possible - family, staff, volunteers, supporters and, yes, lawyers. You continually gave (and give) me hope.

I also want to congratulate all of the candidates in this race. Running for office is hard. As someone who passionately believes in the power of competitive elections, I got what I wished for.

While I don’t know what tomorrow may bring, I know that our journey has just begun.

With gratitude,

Scott R. Drury

Drury raised $1.9 million, more than anyone else in the second tier, but ended up placing 5th with about 8 percent of the vote.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:17 pm

Comments

On November 9, 1989, the East German government opened the border and the Berlin Wall became permanently functionally irrelevant.

Comment by LakeviewJ Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:21 pm
Lake County State’s Attorney?

Comment by I Want To Be Like Mike Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:22 pm
Also- independent bid for the GA?

Comment by LakeviewJ Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:23 pm
Drury did come in within the 7-9% window…. that’s something.

To the Post,

Drury is a young man, enough time to come back two times over and loses and being out of the arena makes those in that position become more reflective on the loss, the mistakes, who they are, and how to be better.

Maybe that’s Drury, I dunno.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:25 pm
Why stop at just cold war and American Revolution metaphors?

“Fourscore and seven days ago, I kicked off this campaign…”

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:28 pm
You seems to be a legend in his own mind.

Comment by Pieroge tirebiter Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:29 pm
He seems to be a legend in his own mind.

Comment by Pieroge tirebiter Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:30 pm
PQ’s stalking horse.

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:31 pm
“Lake County State’s Attorney?’

He was making noises about it back in the day until State Rep. Karen May retired and her seat opened up for him.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:33 pm
Please no. Go away.

Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:35 pm
Akin to Rauner, I don’t think people care as much about his opposition to Madigan as he thinks they do. Also, he really is proud of himself.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:35 pm
I just feel like if voters really got the opportunity to get to know Drury that we’d never have to hear from him again.

Comment by George Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:35 pm
“Rep. Scott Drury’s message to his supporters…”

Both of them? /s

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:35 pm
The surge is real, it’s just taking longer than he expected.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:35 pm
there are 117 crying faces in the Illinois GA.. they ALL were pulling for Scotty boy

Comment by Not Rich Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:36 pm
“Drury talks like he’s running for something else”

I think we can safely rule out Mister Congeniality.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:40 pm
As his email stated, Drury performed well downstate - beating Raoul in many counties. Drury, more than any non-establishment candidate - broadened his base. It will be interesting to see if he does anything with it.

Comment by Disgruntled Laborer Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:44 pm
8% minus one $1 million contribution = ?

Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:48 pm
Thank you, Scott! We have a nice parting gift for you. A lovely clock! (What’s that? No clock?). Uh, please see Jimmy offstage over there, Scott, and we’ll find something appropriate for you…

Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:50 pm
While Drury had more to spend, he also had more to overcome - dark money ads and a frivolous ballot challenge. Clearly, he was viewed as a threat. It will be interesting to see how Drury closes out his term as state rep.

Comment by pat-ronange Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:51 pm
–Drury, more than any non-establishment candidate - broadened his base. –

Eight percent isn’t a base. More like a camp spot.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:51 pm
Third Party Governor campaign coming up?

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 12:56 pm
Rumor is that he is planning to bolt the Democratic Party and run as an independent for the seat that he currently occupies. When called on that prior to the end of the election, he attacked the messenger. Poor guy. If the message is “I am against Madigan” and there is nothing else to him ( and there isn’t), how far can that propel him in a staunchly Democratic district?

Comment by Education First Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 1:02 pm
==run as an independent for the seat that he currently occupies==

It would be funny if he spent all this time and energy on two separate races only to end up in a dogfight for the seat he already occupies, just with a different party label.

Comment by PJ Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 1:09 pm
==Drury, more than any non-establishment candidate - broadened his base.==

Yes, because he had far more money than any other “non-establishment candidate.” And if you look at how much money he spent per vote he did the worst of anyone in the field.

The reality is money is all Drury has going for him, and as this race shows money alone isn’t enough. He’s still an unappealing candidate who is disliked by a lot of people. I don’t see any reason to think he’ll do much better if he runs for another office in the future (statewide at least.)

Comment by Angel's Sword Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 1:27 pm
Drury opposed collective bargaining.
Stood with Rauner on the budget stalemate.
Voted Against Medical Cannabis.

He must be disappointed not to have won the third runner up Copper Medallion of Participation. There is no prize for 5th place, sorry.

Comment by Al Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 1:33 pm
Should we look forward to Drury-Dunkin in 2022?

Comment by Flugel Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 2:02 pm
Rumor is that he is planning to bolt the Democratic Party and run as an independent for the seat that he currently occupies.

Is this allowed or is it only the office he just lost that he can’t run for as an independent?

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 2:29 pm
Just go away Scott.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 2:39 pm
Perhaps he should go back to being a federal prosecutor as he clearly enjoys yapping about it.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 2:41 pm
**Rumor is that he is planning to bolt the Democratic Party and run as an independent for the seat that he currently occupies.**

That’s not allowed. IL has a clear and strong sore loser law:

From the election code:
Here is the sore loser law language — it only says you can’t run as a candidate of a different party:
A person (i) who filed a statement of candidacy for a partisan office as a qualified primary voter of an established political party or (ii) who voted the ballot of an established political party at a general primary election may not file a statement of candidacy as a candidate of a different established political party or as an independent candidate for a partisan office to be filled at the general election immediately following the general primary for which the person filed the statement or voted the ballot. A person may file a statement of candidacy for a partisan office as a qualified primary voter of an established political party regardless of any prior filing of candidacy for a partisan office or voting the ballot of an established political party at any prior election.

Comment by SaulGoodman Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 3:06 pm
“Also, he really is proud of himself.”

For voting present

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 3:28 pm
Oy

Comment by JDuc Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 4:02 pm
If he wants to broaden his base, he should switch parties. It could happen.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 4:10 pm
Missouri needs a new Governor.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 4:49 pm
Geez, all I wanted was a stinkin’ clock.

Comment by 13th one Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 5:14 pm
Could we just put Drury, Quinn and Fioretti in a room together and let them annoy each other, rather than the rest of us?

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 9:10 pm
IMHO he’s sort of too Republican to be a Democrat and vice versa.
The federal prosecutor thing and standing up to Madigan thing are selling points, but he needs to go beyond that and be more specific about the change that he wants. He also needs to find some allies in whatever party he chooses. And maybe (depending on the office he’s seeking) be a bit less zealous. If he’s going to be a Dem, maybe a little warmer and fuzzier would help.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 21, 18 @ 9:19 pm