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Harris inches closer to chairmanship with additional endorsements

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Illinois

* Press release…

Ald. Michelle Harris Announces More State Central Committee Member Endorsements For Party Chair

“I’m proud to announce the endorsement of several more of my colleagues in my campaign for Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois,” Ald. Michelle Harris said.

The following State Central Committee (SCC) members have endorsed Ald. Michelle Harris for Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois:

Hon. Michael Cudzik, CD-8
Hon. Vivian Robinson, CD-15
Hon. Tom Walsh, CD-16
Hon. Don Johnston, CD-17

“I am honored by the trust of these esteemed members of the SCC, and I will continue to listen to their thoughts and concerns and those of the members who remain undecided,” Ald. Michelle Harris continued. “The future of the Democratic Party of Illinois is one that must include Democrats from every part of the state and if selected, I promise to work each day as Chair together with other SCC members to build a party we can all be proud of.”

* Politico…

So far, several members of the Democratic Central Committee have committed to a candidate, giving Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris (8th) an edge with nearly 40 percent support. Congresswoman Robin Kelly has 10 percent, and state Sen. Cristina Castro, 4 percent. (Each member holds a different weighted vote.)

But half of the committee still hasn’t committed, including former state Sen. Carol Ronen and Board of Review Commissioner Mike Cabonargi, whose votes have sway in the contest. They represent the 9th District, which has a combined 10 percent of the vote. Neither returned a request for comment.

Ronen, Cabonargi and other Democrats have sent a letter to acting party Chairman Karen Yarbrough calling for a public meeting March 6 to hear the candidates talk about their priorities. Kelly signed the letter, too.

* Here are the weighted vote totals for each member of the central committee…

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:06 am

Comments

This isn’t my rodeo and there are only 36 people who vote on a matter which will bear a lot of weight on the DPI and politics in the state as a whole, but I would have appreciated it if once the “race” for chairperson became contested if the individual 36 people who get to vote on the matter would delay their public support of one candidate over another until the candidates have an opportunity to present how they would utilize the chairpersonship to strengthen the DPI and what their over all plan is to do that.

I would like to know what their plans are to make the party more inclusive.

Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:42 am
The trend is clear. Harris has got this. The sooner Robin Kelly pulls out and concludes this vote by acclimation the better. Nothing against Robin - she’s great. But Harris clearly has the wind at her back.

Comment by Southern Skeptic Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:45 am
CD makes a good point.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:52 am
We’re getting to the point of the program where all the table pounding, posturing, and promoting is coming to an end.

Who has how many votes, and who, (the sponsors not the candidates), is going to be able to bow out of this power struggle (for lack of a better term) without losing total face.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 10:54 am
Interesting that Castro lost her fellow committeeman from CD-08 to Harris. Kelly was able to get her fellow committeeman from CD-02

Comment by Electric Lemonade Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:06 am
===Interesting that Castro lost her fellow committeeman from CD-08 to Harris. ====

He is political director for the Electricians Union. I am guessing the decision was bigger than himself. Keep the Alderwoman/Governor happy or the Congresswoman/Durbin happy. They picked the former.

Comment by Been There Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:27 am
OW makes an interesting observation on where we are in the process, but I would rather have an open set of meetings where the candidates could express their views on where the party should be going. That kind of open discussion and presentation by candidates for Speaker actually seemed to work well as Speaker Welch seems to be a good choice for leading House Democrats.

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:32 am
I don’t have a horse in this race, but I tend to think that a Member of Congress would have a difficult time effectively leading the party from DC, where those members spend most of their time.

By my rough count, it looks like Harris is a little over 300,000 weighted votes short. Keep in mind what Rich said about her opponents - the first goal is keeping her from 50%+1. She still needs some folks.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:41 am
We just went from one state party chair who ignored many regions of the state for a long, long time. Before we all jump out for one candidate or the other, let’s hear from the candidates. Give them a chance to air out their ideas and plans. Democrats talk a big game about being progressive and about reform, but behave like a rigged machine. Let’s get a discussion going within the party. What century are we in?

Comment by west wing Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 11:47 am
thanks for the update!

Comment by bored now Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:25 pm
**I tend to think that a Member of Congress would have a difficult time effectively leading the party from DC, where those members spend most of their time.**

I’m confused about what you think that the state party does, but what you think the chair does, and how the chair could not do that work, in 2021, with modern technology, from Washington, DC.

Comment by SaulGoodman Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 12:52 pm
(Hat tip to - Back to the Future -)

As a mere observer, I am fascinated as the two realities of a proxy fight and an actual look at candidates I get to see some good politics to a conclusion, not sloppy thinking which will lead to more hand wringing.

Like bad baseball, I can’t stand poorly played politics.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 2:26 pm
The party has devolved into navel gazing. that said, a Chicago City Council member is going to make for big Republican use as the city falls into more and more turmoil.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 26, 21 @ 2:58 pm