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* UPDATED x5 * Stephanie Trussell picked as Darren Bailey running mate

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* Not much of a surprise…

BREAKING: @DarrenBaileyIL will announce Stephanie Trussell as his running mate this morning. The former WLS conservative talk show host is in Lisle with Bailey for the announcement before they go on a bus tour across Illinois. #twill

— Mike Miletich (@MikeMiletichTV) December 13, 2021

Live stream is here.

* Trussell was a never Trumper in 2016…

* A recent Facebook post…

That headline is just bonkers. This was part of an effort to recruit future teachers of color…

“Students will travel to Jefferson Middle School, observe a teacher and then have a question/answer luncheon and discuss the importance of considering education as a career as a person of color,” the flier reads.

…Adding… Trussell promised that she and Bailey would deliver a tax cut at the end of their second year in office.

*** UPDATE 1 *** There were a couple of video problems, but here’s her speech. As always, please pardon all transcription errors…

What an amazing country we live in a place where a woman born on the west side of Chicago, who spent her high school years working at the Maywood McDonald’s can stand here today as a candidate for lieutenant governor of our great state. I love our country and I love Illinois. It’s the heartland of America, but its political leaders and political class have failed us. That’s why I’m so excited to join Darrin Bailey’s campaign to restore Illinois. … With a Bailey Trussell ticket, we will bring our great state back. My mom had me when she was barely 17 years old. Yet through her hard work and sacrifices, she was able to send my sister, my brother and me to private schools, scouts, dance lessons on Michigan Avenue and church youth group. She was determined to give us the opportunities that she never had, laying the foundation for us to become successful adults. One of the most important lessons she taught me was work ethics. Nobody worked harder than my mom and that’s her back there.

I got my first job at 14 at Pick and Pay. It was my best friend’s family’s corner store. At 15, I started working at McDonald’s, even though I was only 15. I started working there anyway. At 17 I was a crew chief, by 18. I was a manager. I learned early the value of hard work. Years later my eyes were open to how Democratic and progressive policies that were supposed to help me were actually hurting me, making things worse. I kept working and fighting and eventually my husband and I moved to Lisle, the best kept secret in DuPage County. We immediately felt welcome. As I worked hard as a mom raising five children, I also enjoyed serving my community. I have been everything from a Cub Scout leader, a room mom, to that taxiing mom with a minivan filled with kids, driving them to and from practice. But what I really love about my town is sitting in the stands cheering for the Lyons Lions. I was there when the boys basketball team played in state in 2004. I was there when my daughter played on the basketball team in 2005 when they made it to Sweet 16. I love my town. Darren’s life story and my own are a testament that no matter your background, no matter where you start, you are defined by choices you make and the work you’re willing to put in.

Our work for the people of Illinois is just beginning. While we love this great state we all know Springfield is broken. It’s so self evidently true that it’s almost not worth arguing the details. Over the last decade, hardworking people have fled Illinois in droves. The majority of those left looking for better jobs. 20% of them left because they couldn’t find affordable housing. Sadly, many are leaving because they no longer feel safe. In the 70s we played outside even after dark as our parents sat on the porch. We felt safe. Today murder and crime rates in Chicago are the highest they’ve been in two decades. Taxes, the cost of living, crime on the street. These are real problems that we all know JB Pritzker can’t, hasn’t and won’t fix. We need real common sense policy solutions. We need leadership who will fight to defend our police not defeund them. We need to get the woke left political agenda out of our classrooms for once and for all. It’s time to teach our kids to chase their dreams not to be a victim or hate one another.

Darren and I will demand a zero based budget that freezes spending with no tax increases. Every department will start at zero and will have to make the case for every cent of its funding. We have to stop passing budgets that spend tax dollars automatically. We’ll implement an honest review of each spending item. By the end of our second year, we intend to deliver a tax cut to the Illinois families. After all it’s your money.

Friends, better days are ahead for Illinois, but only if you make real conservative changes. Pritzker is a failure. We can’t afford four more years of failure. It will kill this great state. Let’s put the days of slick politicians and rich elites who don’t understand our problem is behind us. My story has made me the conservative that I am today. Growing up on the west side, the best side, getting my first job as a young teenager, raising my five kids. All this didn’t come without some obstacles. But together all of us the hardworking people of Illinois, we can solve challenges and turn our home around. Darrin Bailey is the governor we need for Illinois.

*** UPDATE 2 *** DPI…

Today, Stephanie Trussell, a right-wing talk show host and Trump loyalist, announced she will run for lieutenant governor alongside gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey in the divisive Republican primary. Trussell’s bizarre, wildly out of touch views make her a perfect addition to the growing field of radical candidates.

“The first lieutenant governor candidate announcement is in line with what we’d expect from this anti-choice, anti-science field of extremist, far-right candidates,” said Abby Witt, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. “Illinois Republicans want to overturn Roe, rip needed health care from hundreds of thousands of people, deny the science on COVID-19, and take us backwards.”

Trussell, who called Donald Trump “the greatest president of our time,” wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act and rip health coverage from more than 600,000 Illinoisans. She has espoused extremely harmful anti-choice views and compared Planned Parenthood to the KKK. She’s repeated a number of dangerous, reckless conspiracies about COVID-19 and has shown she is unfit to serve. Trussell’s far-right, extreme views do not belong anywhere near the governor’s office.

Today’s pick sends a clear message that the Republican primary for governor is going to be a messy race to the bottom.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Trussell took her Twitter account private. Maybe shoulda done that before.

…Adding… And now her Facebook page has been pulled down.

*** UPDATE 4 *** They haven’t yet pulled down her radio/podcast files, apparently…

Stephanie Trussell, a prophetess. She said this more than 4.5 years before January 6th. pic.twitter.com/vL7FJ1uddb

— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) December 13, 2021

*** UPDATE 5 *** Go to the 11:10 mark on this link and hear what she says about Trump in 2016…

I don’t care what he has to say he is he is a man of very little character. He’s uncouth, he’s disgusting. And it saddens me that he’s the front runner. He does not represent the values of the Republican Party.

A whole lot of people who have endorsed Bailey are going to have an interesting decision to make now.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:23 am

Comments

A tax cut within two years seems kinda unambitious for a Republican, lol.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:29 am
well, i guess this pretty much locks it up for Bailey. Thanks, Governor Pritzker but change is coming to illinois. haha

Comment by moving forward Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:33 am
“Who”. They keep investing a lot of time in the suburbs but know one knows who these people are there and I doubt they would ever vote for them.
Even if they can promise a tax cut what will it cost to property tax payers.

Comment by Publius Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:35 am
==well, i guess this pretty much locks it up for Bailey. Thanks, Governor Pritzker but change is coming to illinois. haha==

Right, Republican primary voters just LOVE Never Trumpers

Comment by certain Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:35 am
Welp, the Facebook guy and a radio host ticket

That’s fun.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:45 am
Radio is still a thing?

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:48 am
==Right, Republican primary voters just LOVE Never Trumpers ==

Depends how she answers the question. There were plenty of ‘16 NTs who became True Believers by 2020.

Anyway, they’ve only got so many options. If you really want sufficient loyalty to Trump, you can’t count on Sullivan, either.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:49 am
Stephanie Trussell’s entire twitter feed is quite the read, the re-tweets especially.

Comment by AC Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:52 am
So I saw the name and googled it and when your running mate doesn’t have their own Wikipedia page…oof.

Comment by SE Progressive Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:52 am
==Trussell was a never Trumper in 2016==

But was she Crusing for Cruz in ‘16? Some people at the time saw Ted Cruz to be more extreme than Trump.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:57 am
“make a case for every cent of it’s spending”

Either knows this is garbage or completely ignorant of the scope of Illinois’ differing agencies.

Another BS candidate.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:58 am
===But was she Crusing for Cruz in ‘16? ===

Yep.

https://twitter.com/reaganmom/status/727906517651881985?s=21

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:59 am
Wait for the tapes

Comment by Shield Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:03 am
“you are defined by choices you make”

Something we can agree on. She *chose* to give a speech that ignores the Covid-19 pandemic, and in fact doesn’t even mention it. This isn’t just Eastern Bloc crackpot nonsense, it’s the mainstream Illinois GOP, which lives in a fantasy world where there’s no pandemic and “zero-based budgeting” will magically solve the State’s problems.

Comment by Not a Superstar Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:04 am
Oh god, her twitter handle is “Reaganmom”? Gross.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:04 am
I guess Bailey found his ambassador. If elected he won’t have to deal with those icky urban areas devoid of “real Illinoisans”. As for Trussell’s 2016 comments, no big deal so long as she’s displayed proper contrition and fealty since. Ask Ted Cruz or Rand Paul.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:09 am
My anon comment

Comment by Independent Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:10 am
Bailey picking a radio host for his ticket is a pretty good example of how Republicans understand governing. I know the Lieutenant Governor’s office doesn’t have a ton on statutory responsibilities, but I’d still want someone with some kind of governing or leadership experience. Governing is a little more complex than just having opinions.

Comment by vern Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:11 am
-Wait for the tapes-

Spare a thought for the poor staffers/consultants who are going to have to listen to all that. Oof.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:23 am
It’s really great when people running for public office have private Twitter accounts isn’t it?

Comment by skutt Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:25 am
==My mom had me when she was barely 17 years old.==

I wonder if she was one of those ‘welfare queens’ that Reagan spoke of…but could never find. /S

Comment by Jocko Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:32 am
Is she overseeing Chicago?

Comment by Levois J Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:35 am
“Darren and I will demand a zero based budget that freezes spending with no tax increases.”

So not only is she promising to massively cut spending, she’s also promising a tax cut that will reduce revenue, requiring further cuts to spending. And yet, there’s absolutely no mention of what she’s planning to cut spending *on*. (Hint: I’m pretty sure the plan is to drive the pension system into default.)

Comment by Narc Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:37 am
=== Bailey picking a radio host for his ticket is a pretty good example of how Republicans understand governing. ===

One would have thought Bailey would have heeded the resounding “NO” to the California Governor Gavin Newsom recall in September since the Republican’s leading candidate was talk show host Larry Elder, but no, Bailey goes and chooses another talk show host, and one who opposed Donald Trump in the POTUS primaries in 2016.

Let’s see what the other 3 major Republican candidates do with their gov lite choices.

One month to start of petition circulation.

Comment by John Lopez Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:43 am
Maybe it’s a safe pick, but I don’t see her moving his 35% statewide total. Doesn’t appear to give a boost in voters, but we’ll see. Still disappointed he didn’t pick Mary Miller/ s

Comment by Saluki with a Job Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:43 am
== Maybe shoulda done that before.==
The interwebs never forget.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:47 am
Hopefully a lot of oppo screenshots were taken and saved of Trussell’s Twitter and Facebook pages. There was probably some really good gold mining there for the Dem campaign. Going dark when folks have headlamps is never very effective.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:48 am
happily it’s not “the woke left” that is actually out there hunting children. children are being killed and injured by ridiculous gun policies that support a never ending supply of killing machines, making easily available the tools for criminals.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:50 am
**a safe pick**

Safe. Pick.

Those two words, together, and Trussell don’t seem like they belong together?

Comment by SaulGoodman Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:12 am
Not one comment on the racism at Downers Grove? Everyone is ok with this and only has opinions on someone who probably won’t take one of the most irrelevant positions in Illinois?

Comment by Bad Habits Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:15 am
===racism at Downers Grove?===

LOLOL

You think trying to recruit future teachers of color is… racist? Seriously?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:16 am
==Not one comment on the racism at Downers Grove?==

Rich already explained how the headline is deceptive.

But also, this is an IL Politics Blog, not a DuPage Education Policy Blog, so that’s a pretty good reason why we’ll focus on one thing instead of another.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:17 am
===You think trying to recruit future teachers of color is… racist? Seriously?===

A Facebook thought inserted to have it “seem” racist.

Goodness.

If you are already blocking the social media of your choice, it’s likely a very bad choice.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:23 am
Pulling down all her social media accounts is just gonna Streisand Effect whatever is in there, y’know.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:28 am
Bailey’s a genius. Trussell let’s Bailey lock up the moderate wing of the ILGOP.

Comment by don the legend Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:33 am
==Everyone is ok with this==

The good news is you two months to stoke your umbrage for ‘Women in Stem day’ this February.

Comment by Jocko Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:38 am
===Trussell let’s Bailey lock up the moderate wing of the ILGOP.===

I’m guessing this is snark, since blocking tweets that might be seen as pandering to the moderates are now blocked.

For me? For me, Sullivan’s Obama thingy is more of a needle mover in any direction going forward than Bailey’s mistake with a running mate here.

We’re are the point in the program where eating each other on disqualifying. On that. Sullivan is moving further away from winning.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:41 am
= Trussell took her Twitter account private. =

With this crowd, the ‘cached’ button on google always gets a good workout.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:45 am
Is she canceling and “woke-ing” herself by pulling/limiting her social media accounts? Lol. Not a good entree into politics on a day that should be very positive, being announced as a candidate for a major office.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:49 am
“Trussell took her Twitter account private… And now her Facebook page has been pulled down.”

‘Cancel culture,’ amirite?

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:53 am
Still won’t vote for beetle.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:53 am
OW. Yes complete snark. That is the only thing to have when discussing Bailey.

Comment by don the legend Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 11:53 am
Consider this…she is the sensible one of the Bailey Ticket.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:06 pm
==For me, Sullivan’s Obama thingy is more of a needle mover in any direction going forward than Bailey’s mistake with a running mate here.==

Definitely. No one votes on the #2 on the ticket. They’re only really interesting in what they tell us about the #1 on the ticket.

Which in this case, isn’t anything too surprising. Bailey knows the demographic issues he has to address, but isn’t interested in conceding anything ideologically, and probably hasn’t done his homework. Sounds about right.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:08 pm
“They haven’t yet pulled down her radio/podcast files, apparently…”

The internet is forever.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:24 pm
The sad thing is her initial instincts about Trump were correct. Like a lot of people back then. Her inability to stick by and trust those instincts says a lot about her actual character, or lack thereof

Comment by fs Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:25 pm
Ready…announce…vet.

Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:30 pm
- don the legend -

Knowing your writing, I suspected.

:)

Be well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 12:34 pm
She’s totally right about Trump and has reduced herself to pandering for his voters. No wonder the social media accounts are being pulled. What else is out there? Sullivan is having a good day today, as any pro-Obama attacks can be countered.

Meanwhile in JB land, some popcorn should be grabbed.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:00 pm
Wonder if Darren Bailey had a short list of Lt. Gov candidates? Did they all say no? Thanks for asking but the answer is no.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:03 pm
Yes, Trussell was on target about Trump. However, she like most GOP politicians nowadays is more than willing to sell her soul for power.

I’m waiting to see how Bailey responds.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:29 pm
= going to have an interesting decision to make =

Do they though?

The entire ILGOP platform seems to be nothing more than ‘democrats bad’.

Nothing here changes that in their eyes.

The plusses of bailey(in his voters eyes) will easily negate anything negative in his lt gov pick. If anything, her coming around to the past office holder she previously criticized will be seen as a positive.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:33 pm
I guess the Bailey Ticket is the Anti-Trump ticket now?

It’s snarky fun

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:45 pm
This is more attention than he has gotten in the race in a while, so there is that.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 1:49 pm
The Bailey Trestle helped win WWII, so there’s that …

Comment by justaguy02 Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 2:11 pm
Her “whiners and crybabies” quote is astoundingly apt with hindsight

Comment by Nick Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 2:22 pm
Reagan won two national Presidential elections. He lowered the tax rates from 70% to 28% and help move capital from non-productive tax-shelters. I gess there were a lot of ‘Reagan mom’s’ in the 1980s.

Comment by Al Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 4:04 pm
===Reagan===

1981-1988

40 years ago, before 9/11, the housing crisis, the economic meltdown and a global pandemic.

Friend, life is passing you by.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 4:15 pm
===Reagan===

Desert Shield, Desert Storm, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, 20 years in the region…

But… “Reagan”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 4:30 pm
My lord, R’s are just plain nuts. All of them.

Comment by Ronnie Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 9:34 pm
Where is Kinzinger?

Comment by Dirty Red Monday, Dec 13, 21 @ 10:42 pm