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White vows to finish out sixth term

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Illinois

Another long-time Democrat, Secretary of State Jesse White – who’s held that office for 19 years – used his time at the podium during Thursday’s breakfast to address talk that should he win another term, he’d likely resign mid-term.

White is running again this year, despite having announced his retirement.

“A reporter asked me. ‘Is it true that once you’re elected that you’re going to walk away?’ I reminded him that I served in the military not once, not twice, but three times – I used to jump out of … airplanes. You never jump out of an airplane and stop halfway. It’s all the way,” White said.

Assuming he wins, do you believe he’ll finish out his next term?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 9:52 am

Comments

“I reminded him that I served in the military not once, not twice, but three times – I used to jump out of … airplanes. You never jump out of an airplane and stop halfway. It’s all the way,” White said.”–

Must feel like being the captain of the Washington Generals going up against this guy.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 9:55 am
Jessie White is 84 years old, This is why we need Term limits in the state of Illinois. He needs to step aside and let someone else take over.

Comment by Kris Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 9:58 am
I believe White has every intention of serving the full term. That being said, the years between Age 84 and Age 88 can be hard to predict. The Secretary seems healthy and I truly hope he is able to serve out his 6th term.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 9:59 am
If he quits, I predict it will not be because of bad health.

Jack Franks is probably disappointed by his announcement.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:01 am
Rich, he’ll win easily, and, yes.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:03 am
@Kris

Yea, because he’s 84. :eye roll:

C’mon, the electorate has spoken each term. Guy’s a machine. There may be valid reasons for term limits, but age isn’t one of them.

Comment by dray Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:04 am
Depends who wins the Governor’s race.

Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:05 am
==Jessie White is 84 years old, This is why we need Term limits in the state of Illinois. ==

What does age have to do with term limits?

Besides, we already have term limits. They are called elections.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:07 am
**Jessie White is 84 years old, This is why we need Term limits in the state of Illinois.**

Huh?

Comment by SaulGoodman Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:07 am
I don’t have any reason to doubt his intentions. I believe that he is sincere when he says he intends to serve his full term.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:08 am
“Assuming he wins, do you believe he’ll finish out his next term?”

Nothing of evidentiary to base my opinion on, but my response is heck no, he won’t finish the term.

First, I have great respect for the Secretary as a human being and as a politician.

Second, we have to remember he is a politician after all, and that response was not a yes or no answer; it was a sound bite that did not confirm he would complete the next term upon reelecetion.

Secretary White probably is a good example of why some people want term limits. Not because he has done anything wrong, but because a constitutional officer in place for such a long time results in agency heads in place for such a long time that they become all but untouchable and all powerful within their realm of control.

Third,

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:08 am
No, because he already announced his retirement once before.

Comment by Vrdolyak 29 Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:09 am
I don’t believe it for a second. He’ll wait until after the 2020 election and then retire for “health reasons.”

Comment by Just Me Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:09 am
**Jessie White is 84 years old, This is why we need Term limits** It seems you think age is an issue, but how would term limits prevent an 84 year old from running for the first time.

Comment by BigLou Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:11 am
Jesse White restored credibility, integrity and honesty to that SOS office. He also greatly improved the systems and technology, as well as the awareness around the organ donor program.

He’s done great things and deserves another term. We all get older, but that guy is sharp as a tac and I don’t question his abilities one bit.

Comment by siriusly Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:12 am
I think he has every intention of finishing out his term. As others have said, the realities of aging may change that plan, but I don’t think he is lying.

Comment by Montrose Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:21 am
Jesse is a counter argument against term limits when you consider his sterling service. If he had rampant corruption and incompetence within SOS, he would not be in a position where the worst hit against him seems to be he won’t serve out his term.

Comment by Matt Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:22 am
I really feel that White ran for another term at the behest of Madigan who did not want a contested primary for this important office. I would not be surprised if White resigns before his term is completed, provided Pritzker could appoint his successor.

Comment by Practical Politics Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:23 am
Jessie White has done an excellent job over the years and trust he will continue to do so if re-elected. Don’t see where it needs to be an elected position or a party affiliated position much like many government positions especially local governments. An example- the local coroner is elected position, why?

Comment by Arock Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:24 am
Barring health issues, I expect him to complete his term.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:29 am
do you believe he’ll finish out his next term?

Yes - Jesse is that rare politician that works well with both parties; he is well liked and respected in both Dupage/Kane Counties. His work with the Tumblers, organ donation, the state library and other concerns is much appreciated statewide. I wish him good health.

Comment by Texas Red Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:31 am
If he does, the fact that an 84 year old can serve as SoS is a good argument for not needing a SoS. Just let a professional run the org since clearly that’s what’s happening anyway.

Comment by Evanstonian Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:33 am
“the fact that an 84 year old can serve as SoS is a good argument for not needing a SoS.”

Huh?

Comment by Montrose Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:38 am
==the fact that an 84 year old can serve as SoS is a good argument for not needing a SoS==

That is one of the most ridiculous arguments ever made.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:39 am
Kris - Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 9:58 am:

Term limits aren’t an age limit brain stem.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:40 am
The better question is “will he run again in ‘22?”

Comment by A guy Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:41 am
Yes he will serve out his term, unless he has a health crisis.

Comment by Flynn's Mom Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:44 am
If he can pass the vision and road test, required of folks his age. He’ll probably stay if he can drive to work. /s

Common sense says he should be fit enough to maintain a DL in order to run the agency that hands out DL.

Do you think SOS employees would fail him if he should be failed?
He has to test every two years, in person, and soon it will be every year at age 87.

Comment by anonymous Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:55 am
==Common sense says he should be fit enough to maintain a DL in order to run the agency that hands out DL.==

That is another ridiculous argument. Where in the world do you people come up with these “tests” of abilities to run an organization?

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 10:57 am
‘Where in the world do you people come up with these “tests” of abilities to run an organization?’

Where in the world is there NoT a test abilities to run an organization?

Comment by really? Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 11:17 am
==Jessie White is 84 years old, This is why we need Term limits in the state of Illinois. He needs to step aside and let someone else take over.==

Ah yes, the battle cry of the perpetual loser: term limits. Those who can’t win on their own merits, or who stomp their feet because certain elected officials continue to earn the trust of voters, demand the rules be changed.

Once more, with feeling: we have term limits; they’re called elections. Don’t like him, vote for the other person. Better yet, develop a winning message and challenge him yourself.

Comment by John Deere Green Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 11:21 am
==Where in the world is there NoT a test abilities to run an organization?==

I said that the “test” they came up with was ridiculous. If you have a coherent argument to make that getting a drivers license should be a determining factor in becoming the SoS I’m all ears. Unless he needs to be able to drive as a condition of the performance of his duties then the ability to get a DL is completely irrelevant.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 11:38 am
Yes, I think he will. He looks and sounds healthier than most people 20 years younger. We should all be so look to enjoy that kind of health when we are that age.

Comment by SAP Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 11:46 am
Lord willing, Jesse will serve out his term.

Comment by anon2 Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 11:54 am
–Where in the world is there NoT a test abilities to run an organization?–

Elections are “the test.”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 11:55 am
Yes, I certainly think that’s his intention. I hope he stays hale and hearty and can do so. My favorite Democrat.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 12:01 pm
If he is in good health now, there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t. It isn’t like he has to do any heavy physical labor in the job, and if he has a good upper management staff in place, he needn’t put in long hours at it either.

Comment by titan Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 12:17 pm
I dont think he would say it if he didnt mean it. Too much pride.

Comment by Regular democrat Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 12:21 pm
I believe him when he says he intends to. But, and you can call this ageism if you want, there is a very, very high chance that his health declines quickly. The same could be said of anyone but it is a simple fact that people in their 80’s are at higher risk than someone in their 40’s.

I’ll vote for him mostly because he’s a Democrat, but I doubt he’ll serve the whole term. Hope he proves me wrong.

Comment by Perrid Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 1:30 pm
I like the metaphor that being an elected officer in Illinois is like jumping out of an airplane.

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 1:52 pm
Nope. I believe he may serve two more years and then work to get a close ally or “up and comer” into the position during a special election.

Comment by JakeCP Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 4:21 pm