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Fifth District Appellate Court Justice David Overstreet of Mt. Vernon will seek election to the Illinois Supreme Court in 2020, for the seat being vacated next year by retiring Justice Lloyd Karmeier.

Overstreet, 53, was elected last November to a 10-year term at the appellate court in a race against Kevin Hoerner, Democrat, who later got appointed associate judge in St. Clair County in January.

He is the first candidate to publicly announce for the Karmeier vacancy, and will run as a Republican in a district comprised of the state’s 37 southernmost counties. The primary election is March 17 and the general election is Nov. 3, 2020.

Four of the seven seats on the state’s high court will be on the ballot next year - open seats at the Fifth and Chicago-based First Judicial District, as well as the retention campaigns of Justices Robert Thomas, Republican, of the Second Judicial District and Thomas Kilbride, Democrat, of the Third Judicial District. Judges running for retention don’t face rival candidates - they are retained if they get 60 percent voter approval.

* BND…

A man who previously worked on President Donald Trump’s campaign is now jumping into the race for the GOP nomination in the Illinois 15th Congressional District.

Kent Gray, 49, of Leland Grove, who worked as an advance man for the Trump administration, announced his candidacy for the seat that U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, is leaving at the end of term.

“President Trump needs reliable supporters in Congress to help him accomplish his agenda,” Gray said. “I want the president to know that the 15th District of Illinois embraces his successes with the U.S. economy, honest trade, tax cuts, immigration management, judicial appointments and protecting the Second Amendment. The 15th District is overwhelmingly supportive of Donald Trump. My existing relationships with numerous congressmen, senators and administration officials will allow me to hit the ground running for district residents.” […]

Gray ran for state representative in 2016, but lost in the GOP primary.

He finished third in a three-way primary in that race.

* From the Jeanne Ives campaign…

Friends,

I’m going to be blunt: If you don’t want a radical, leftist mob led by Sean Casten getting a foothold in government, you need to step up and get Jeanne Ives elected.

Jeanne is a fighter. She has an Economics degree from West Point. She is an Army Veteran and a Military Mom.

But what I like best about Jeanne is that she is who she says she is. As a state legislator, she promised to defend taxpayers and that was exactly what she did - even when it meant standing alone.

As a Congresswoman, Jeanne will protect the opportunities available to your kids. She will protect your jobs and pocketbooks. She will uphold the rule of law. And she will push back on the Socialists in Congress in a way they won’t soon forget.

Join Jeanne and me on Wednesday, November 6 to help take her campaign to the next level. Tickets start at $50 and you can RSVP right here.

If you submit two completed petition sheets to help Jeanne get on the ballot, you can join us for free. Download your petition and instructions here.

Hope to see you there!

All In,
Dan Proft

AM-560 Morning Drive Host

* Jim Oberweis campaign…

The Lake County Republicans held their primary endorsement session Saturday, and Jim Oberweis won the endorsement on the first ballot against a crowded field of candidates seeking the Republican party nomination for the 14th Congressional District.

All Township Chairmen and all Lake County Republican Central Committee officers could vote in the endorsement session. To win the endorsement, Oberweis had to receive two-thirds of those voting at the Saturday meeting.

Lake County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mark Shaw said, “all of the Republican candidates seeking the nomination for US Representative from the 14th Congressional District had an opportunity to make their case that they would be the best candidate to win the General Election in 2020. Jim Oberweis earned the endorsement because he made the strongest case for success against Rep. Lauren Underwood. We need a candidate who stands up for our Republican values, and who has a path for victory in the race for US Representative in the 14th District. Jim Oberweis checks all of these boxes.”

The 14th Congressional District is widely considered a seat Republicans can retake. Oberweis says he is honored to have the confidence of the Lake County party especially in light of how important this race is nationally.

“If Republicans are going to retake the House in 2020, it starts with the 14th Congressional District in Illinois,” Oberweis said. “But the first step to defeating Lauren Underwood is to win the nomination and garnering the support of the Lake County Republican Party is a big step forward for this campaign. I am honored and humbled to have their endorsement.”

* Politico…

Freshman Rep. Lauren Underwood’s name is being batted about for a House leadership position freed up after California Rep. Katie Hill resigned last week.

The empty position is reserved for first-term Dems, according to POLITICO’s Heather Caygle.

Underwood, who flipped the right-leaning 14th District in 2018, is part of the “Big Six,” a set of freshmen who serve as liaisons to leadership. Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York coined the nickname because the group is seen as those most likely to climb into leadership roles. Underwood, for example, sits on leadership and strategy meetings.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 11:49 am

Comments

As the 14th was my childhood district, I’m heartened by the prospect of it being the beneficiary of Lauren Underwood’s accession to leadership.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 11:57 am
As Leland Grove is nowhere near the 15th, Mr. Gray will need to find a realtor pretty quick.

And if he wins, he may want to keep that realtor on speed dial after the redistricting in a couple of years…

Comment by Shawshank Red Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:00 pm
===Mr. Gray will need to find a realtor pretty quick===

Why? You only have to be a resident of Illinois to run.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:01 pm
True, but I’m wondering how well the voters in the 15th will respond to carpetbaggers.

Comment by Shawshank Red Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:04 pm
Here’s the whole truth about Oberweis endorsement by Lake County Republican Party Executive Committee.

http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2019/11/04/il-14-jim-oberweis-feigns-a-victory-receiving-endorsement-from-lake-county/

Comment by John Lopez Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:05 pm
I’m waiting for the pumpkin farmer and lumber scion to join Gray in this quest for the vanishing congressional seat.

Should be fun.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:05 pm
“She will uphold the rule of law”

If true, not necessarily a good thing for Trump.

Comment by a drop in Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:06 pm
It is exciting that Dan Proft is helping Jeanne Ives… and Jim
Oberweis, the “Make Illinois Great Again“ hat wearer and helicopter prop using divider, it’s a quick reminder of how low the ILGOP is and where the national GOP finds these folks in step with them.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:09 pm
boy, do i wish that Sean Casten was actually leading a radical leftist mob

Comment by lincoln's beard Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:22 pm
Jeanne Ives says Sean Casten is a leader!

Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:26 pm
Lake County GOP endorsing Oberweis reeks of insider politics. They haven’t done endorsements in the past, they’re doing it now as half their organization is being bankrolled by Oberweis. I can’t believe that they even think Oberweis can beat Underwood, his own pollsters have him down 9 points to her.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:26 pm
Jeanne is toast. Sean Casten is going to blow her out of the water. Hopefully she will go away after another embarrassing defeat. Probably not, but I can hope anyway.

Comment by Lord of the Fries Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:28 pm
“Four of the seven seats on the state’s high court will be on the ballot next year…Thomas Kilbride, Democrat, of the Third Judicial District.” A longtime attorney in northwest Illinois told me that Kilbride is not a “stellar jurist” he is on the IL Supreme Court to represent the Rock Island political machine.

That machine will take a big nosedive if anyone looks too deeply into the background of Vicki Wright, who started as a Whiteside county assistant state’s attorney, then circuit judge, now appellate judge in Ottawa. Questions like why was Nicholas Sheley free on no monetary bail when he went on the spree killing eight people?

Comment by Buford Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:29 pm
Ah yes, those radical Lefist mobs routinely taking to the streets of DuPage County, led by *checks notes* a former executive…

Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:30 pm
==even when it meant standing alone==

So the fact that Ives couldn’t get anyone to agree with her viewpoints in Springfield with her is now a reason to send her to Washington. Got it, Mr. Proft.

Many of us also hope that, if Mr. Gray succeeds next year, there won’t be a President Trump to support.

Comment by Bourbon Street Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:31 pm
Just to be clear, I am hoping there won’t be a President Trump because he will have lost the election.

Comment by Bourbon Street Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:33 pm
I genuinely don’t understand how political fundraising appeals manage to be effective- don’t people find the endless stream of breathless panic of the messages exhausting to the point of just ignoring them all?

Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:34 pm
- Shawshank Red - Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:00 pm:

As Leland Grove is nowhere near the 15th, Mr. Gray will need to find a realtor pretty quick.

And if he wins, he may want to keep that realtor on speed dial after the redistricting in a couple of years…

————

Perhaps a preview of the remap–maybe Leland Grove will end up in the 15th 3 years from now?

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:46 pm
If Kentucky and Virginia are barometers of the political waters, suburban Republicans have lots of trouble.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:54 pm
With last nights victories republicans should be very concerned about tying themselves to trump…. cough cough Rodney…. the 2020 blue wave is looking good

Comment by Gohawks123 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:03 pm
Sean Casten danced a jig the day Jeanne Ives got in the race. Fundraising became infinitely easier and the road to reelection got infinitely smoother. So yea, please keep it up Proft. It’s going to work sooooooo well for you in this district. “Radical, leftist mob?” Have you met Sean Casten? Good luck with that.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:33 pm
===As a state legislator, she promised to defend taxpayers and that was exactly what she did===

How does helping Rauner* run up a $16 billion backlog of unpaid bills constitute defending taxpayers? Show your work.

===As a Congresswoman, Jeanne will protect the opportunities available to your kids.===

Under Trump, more than 400,000 kids have been deprived of health insurance. Is that how Ives defines “protecting the opportunities available to kids?

*One year ago this very day, the people of Illinois handed Rauner one of the biggest defeats of an incumbent Illinois governor in Illinois history. Cheers!

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:44 pm
Sean Casten a leftist, pulease. He scuttled center-right the day after the primary. He claimed Climate Change was the north star of his candidacy but won’t lift a finger for the climate activists that walked for him. He’s safe for now but if a true progressive comes along, he’ll have fight on his hands. Ives is a non-starter.

Comment by Froganon Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:50 pm
People saying Kentucky and Virginia are indicators of Illinois are being ridiculous. VA has been trending blue for years. The only statewide R that lost in KY was bevin who was the most unpopular governor in the country by a long shot and lost by a razor thin margin. Neither are telling of 2020 and neither are especially telling of Illinois, do better. Casten will win because Ives can’t not because of the Virginia delegates elections.

Comment by Lord of the Fries Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:59 pm
== If Kentucky and Virginia are barometers of the political waters, suburban Republicans have lots of trouble.==

lol if the Chicago suburbs are barometers of the political waters, suburban Republicans have lots of trouble. These are not Pate Phillips’ suburbs any longer

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:08 pm
=== These are not Pate Phillips’ suburbs any longer===

This is the correct answer.

It started with the south suburbs and now the collars themselves find the bastion of republican strongholds are fewer and the pockets are farther apart.

The Stava-Murray win against a terribly lazy GOP incumbent who had yet to win a race in that seat was an amazing tell to how much work, even simple work, in a campaign is needed for the GOP members in areas once thought immune to a Democratic targeting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:12 pm
Down here is Southern Illinois we’ve got our Judge Judy. In a year the Supreme Court Justice will be a woman who has broken ceilings her whole life, current Appellate Court Justice Judy Cates will spend $3million of her own money and will have numbers identical to Sen. Tammy Duckworth in the Southern 37 counties.

Comment by Benton Ranger Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:32 pm
I would pay money to see Sean Casten leading a radical, leftist mob.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:48 pm
“ Sean Casten a leftist, pulease. He scuttled center-right the day after the primary. He claimed Climate Change was the north star of his candidacy but won’t lift a finger for the climate activists that walked for.”

Why? Because he knows the Green New Deal is a pipe dream and prefers solutions that will actually work to help the climate? Maybe you may want to consider the fact that he spent his whole career fighting to help companies profitably reduce greenhouse gasses. The farthest left way is not the only way.

And good luck electing an AOC type in Henry Hyde’s old district.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:51 pm
===If Kentucky and Virginia are barometers of the political waters===

I dunno. Have you checked New Jersey’s legislative results?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 4:33 pm
If Kent Gray does indeed run in the 15th, I wonder if there will be at least one person in the district who asks him, “Are you Ken’s son?”

Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Nov 7, 19 @ 10:33 am
It’s a whole lot tougher to find a white suit, white hat, white cape, white convertible Cadillac…and a helicopter, than I ever thought it would be!

Comment by Kent Gray Friday, Nov 8, 19 @ 5:26 pm