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Mendoza makes unusual pledge at candidate forum

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Illinois

Democratic state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a potential candidate for Chicago mayor, committed to staying in the statewide office — if Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner wins re-election.

Appearing on a candidate forum on WTTW Ch.-11 Thursday night with Republican challenger Darlene Senger, Mendoza restated that she is “focused on being comptroller.”

But she said she’s told those passing around mayoral candidacy petitions with her name that “if Bruce Rauner gets re-elected, I will be comptroller as long as he is governor because I believe that I have been the last line of defense for taxpayers in this state and I will continue to fight for them every step of the way.” […]

Senger, a former state representative from Naperville, said Mendoza was making the commitment because if Rauner defeats principal rival Democrat J.B. Pritzker, the Republican governor would appoint a new comptroller if Mendoza were to win re-election and win as mayor.

The full forum is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:02 am

Comments

“I promise I will run for mayor when JB wins.”

Comment by Montrose Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:04 am
- Montrose - Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:04 am:

“I promise I will run for mayor when JB wins.”
——————–

“But for now I am running to stay in the office that JB Topinka once occupied.”

Comment by Leatherneck Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:11 am
So if she runs for mayor and loses will she lose her comptroller seat as well?

Comment by Real Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:12 am
So we don’t need someone watching out with JB? More likely she thinks Comptroller becomes a dead end job with JB in the Gov’s office and nothing to get press and be boisterous about.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:12 am
Pretty sloppy.

Comment by Sonny Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:13 am
Well, Daniel Biss will be available, and he’d do a good job.

Comment by Keyrock Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:15 am
Might as well pledge she’ll stick around if McCann is elected.

Comment by Nacho Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:17 am
Apparently, the state doesn’t need a watchdog for taxpayers if JB is governor?

Comment by People Over Parties Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:23 am
I’m shocked, shocked to hear Susana Mendoza is focused on Susana Mendoza. Maybe she should change her campaign slogan to “Whats good for Mendoza is good for IL (Chicago)”

Comment by Angry Republican Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:28 am
Wrong on so many levels. Implies a Pritzker gubernatorial administration doesn’t need a comptroller. Puts me ahead of we.
Sets up a possible appointment after asking voters to support her for four more years. She needs to be honest with voters and say I’m running for mayor now - and let the Dems find an emergency candidate. All of this builds up the Democrats as the party of hogs at the trough in Chicago.

Comment by West Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:29 am
“Apparently, the state doesn’t need a watchdog for taxpayers if JB is governor”

No need for watchdogs when you have single party rule. That is the whole point.

Comment by Texas Red Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:31 am
Her downstate editorial endorsements all note her work during the impasse. Future impasses are far less likely if the governor and legislature are led by the same party.

Many of you are making too much of this. It’s not that Pritzker won’t need watching, it’s that the finances should be a lot smoother sailing.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:34 am
Welcome to the state of Illinois with total Democratic control. It’s all about them. Oh, wait, it always has been. Evidence the sinking ship of Illinois.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:36 am
–Evidence the sinking ship of Illinois.–

I bet your fainting couch gets a real workout most days.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:54 am
well, aren’t we talking about merging two offices anyway?

Comment by Amalia Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 11:05 am
So Mendoza starts with “Me” first. I thought she was a very good Comptroller, but now I cannot vote for her. I will leave that box unchecked on the ballot.

Comment by My New Handle Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 11:09 am
=Welcome to the state of Illinois with total Democratic control. It’s all about them. Oh, wait, it always has been. Evidence the sinking ship of Illinois.=

You act like this is some sort of cabral that has “happened” to Illinois.

The majority of voters elected these people. Right, wrong, or indifferent that is how a Republic works.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 12:00 pm
“Daniel Biss will be available, and he’d do a good job.”

Too bad he doesn’t know how to count.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 12:46 pm
the point here is that her answer was just too cute. it was dishonest. it was precisely the kind of answer that makes people hate politicians. does she honestly think that if she said that she plans to run for Mayor she would blow her massive comptroller lead? or, even better, if she really wants to be mayor, just run for mayor! this hedging makes it seem like she is the ultimate career politician and political opportunist. this is EXACTLY the kind of thing that the average voter hates!

Comment by anon Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 12:51 pm
+++ - Real - Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 10:12 am:
So if she runs for mayor and loses will she lose her comptroller seat as well? +++

No, she would not lose the Comptroller position (as long as she doesn’t affirmatively resign form it).

Comment by titan Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 1:06 pm
=== So if she runs for mayor and loses will she lose her comptroller seat as well? ===

No

Comment by Just Observing Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 1:31 pm
What a shocking surprise

Comment by Board Watcher Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 3:44 pm