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* More than three weeks after petition circulation season started, Jesse Sullivan finally finds a willing running mate. Her name may be familiar to some of you…
BIG NEWS..
I'm proud to introduce the next Lt. Gov of Illinois, @KMurphyIL!A working mom, activist, and advocate for children & families, she's ready to take the fight to JB Pritzker. I’m excited to team up with Kathleen to offer a new generation of outsider leadership. #SaveIL pic.twitter.com/4yonnszXEw
— Jesse Sullivan (@JesseSullivanIL) February 4, 2022
* LinkedIn bio…
Kathleen Murphy was the Director of Communication and Spokeswoman for Jeanne Ives’ primary race for Illinois Governor against Bruce Rauner.
She is also the creator and host of Upstream Idea’s Follow the Logic, a man-on-street segment that challenges interviewees’ principles and fixed ideas on policies and politics. Kathleen has served as a co-host on 560-AM’s Illinois Rising. She additionally writes and produces Heart of the Matter, Dollars and Sense and Two-Minute Warning for Upstream Ideas.
She is also a political communication expert, with strong media background and extensive experience in research, analysis and messaging in the political arena.
As Director of Communication for Illinois Opportunity Project, Kathleen oversees the organization’s messaging and communication strategy; leads their media strategy; interprets and explains the politics behind state policies; and helps to advance center-right leaders and free-market policy solutions. She is a trusted advisor to many liberty-principled legislators, candidates, advocates and community leaders.
Additionally, Kathleen is member of the Ladies of Liberty Alliance Speakers Bureau. The national organization includes many notable women in the liberty movement, such as Amity Shlaes, Tammy Bruce, Katherine Timpf, Michelle Fields and Christina Hoff-Sommers.
Prior to joining the Illinois Opportunity Project, Kathleen served as Legislative Aide in the Illinois House of Representatives.
She and Jeanne Ives also co-founded “Breakthrough Ideas.”
…Adding… Murphy does have TV advertising experience. She was featured in a gob of Dan Proft ads a half-dozen years ago…
…Adding… Press release…
Mom, activist, and Breakthrough Ideas president and co-founder Kathleen Murphy will join Republican candidate for governor Jesse Sullivan as his running mate for lieutenant governor:
“The working families of Illinois deserve a leader and advocate like Kathleen,” Sullivan said. “She is a devoted mother of two, a passionate advocate for the rights of children and parents, and a free thinker who will fight relentlessly for parents and families at a time when they are under attack. From helping to rebuild her church to assisting victims of domestic violence, Kathleen lives the values of faith, family, and service.”
“Kathleen represents the next generation of leaders we need to Save Illinois. She is no stranger to hard work, and like me, she is an outsider who is not beholden to the failed political system that has delivered high taxes and corrupt leaders.”
“I am proud to join Jesse Sullivan in this fight,” Murphy said. “He brings the kind of outsider energy, focused leadership, and an optimistic vision that our state so desperately needs.”
“I know what it’s like to wonder if you’re going to be able to make ends meet, and I am eager to represent working moms across the state in Springfield. Like most Illinoisans, I am sick and tired of watching a man who has had everything handed to him tell us how to live our lives.”
“Our children are hurting. I’ve seen it firsthand. Our school system is failing our kids, our economy is lagging behind our neighbors, and Illinois simply cannot afford four more years of JB Pritzker,” Murphy said.
“With Kathleen’s leadership, we will end Pritzker’s harmful mandates for our kids on Day 1,” Sullivan said.
…Adding… Jeanne Ives was all-in for Ted Cruz back in 2016, so this sort of thing is not surprise. Click the pic for more search results…
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 8:49 am
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Pretty cool that an ideas/policy person got tapped for a candidate role. Inspiration to all the policy wonks out there!
Comment by Dan Johnson Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 8:51 am
Whoever had Ives as Sullivan’s running mate yesterday got that close.
Comment by Publius Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 8:53 am
(Also the most Irish name pairing one can imagine - they could run for judge together and clean up in Cook County)
Comment by Dan Johnson Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 8:53 am
Will that negate the accusations that Sullivan is a Democrat in Republican clothes? I mean Ives’ spokesperson probably is as right as the come.
Comment by Sheepskin Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 8:58 am
With all those sets of four six-pointed stars everywhere, I assume this Sullivan fellow is a native Chicagoan with deeply-rooted pride in the city he calls home.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 8:59 am
So, person who’s never held public office before bolsters his credentials and eases concerns with… person who’s never held public office before.
Oppo folks are gonna be busy reading and listening to all that stuff.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:00 am
Census Bureau says 11% of Illinois has Irish ancestry, so I guess they just need to concentrate on the other 89%….
Comment by Pius Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:02 am
Upstream Ideas… Breakthrough Ideas… Cannot wait to see the name Proft tries and comes up with next time he tries to rebrand his looney toon ideology after this version fades into oblivion.
Comment by SWSider Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:02 am
Can’t decide from the picture if it’s publicity photo for the new local TV news team or a maybe a detective show.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:03 am
to the tag team of Slim and None
Comment by Congrats Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:04 am
“…to offer a new generation of outsider leadership.” Offer.New.Outsider. Sullivan’s been spending too much time in NFTs.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:06 am
This definitely adds to an interesting trend of campaign staff making the shift to candidate, which was unusual even 15 years ago when I worked campaigns. Recruitment pools from both parties are narrowing as folks in their 30s and 40s don’t have the financial freedom to run for office while also starting a family. Running for office takes time, financial resources, some physical stamina (for races small enough that knocking on doors is the bulk of a candidate’s time) and, if you have kids, a very supportive spouse.
You also need to be willing to work through modern politics, which isn’t worth a pay cut for most of the people with jobs that used to be considered good candidate resumes. The options for our political future seem to be either gerontocracy like DC or children of the corn. Kind of dire for both parties.
Comment by vern Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:06 am
Hopefully now Sullivan will stop leaving voice mails on my cell phone. It was getting embarrassing.
To the post,
Pat Brady has Rabine, Proft and Ives have Sullivan (Proft has hinted he had a money person waiting to help a candidate) and Griffin has Irvin.
This choice kinda/sorta sorts out the three branches of the trunk-less elephant tree that is the GOP
Oh, I haven’t forgotten Schimpf, although it’s tough to remember his still running…
… and I haven’t forgotten Bailey, the choice of Trumpkins (maybe), racist thinkers, and conspiracy theorists… you know, folks whom ruined the GOP, almost beyond repair, but definitely not the party of Lincoln, as confederate flags are a banner too for these folks Bailey courts.
So… Sullivan has a running mate, “what now?” Welp?
I’m guessing abortion will be even bigger after “yesterday”, unless Bourne can help salve over things with her own bona fides, actually help the ticket, and maybe Sullivan can get that money Proft hints will be there for a “true conservative”
If Proft and Ives now have their horse, how soon before we see “earned media” (See: Proft Propaganda) become a bigger thing for Sullivan? I’m guessing “quite quick”
Side note?
Yeah here’s your side note…
Who announced their running mate, a person and piece missing for weeks… on a Friday?
Amateurs.
Can’t stand watching baseball played poorly, can’t stand politics done poorly too.
It’s Friday. You announced a running mate.
You’re that desperate. That’s not great either.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:06 am
Trying to lock up that Irish vote like it’s 1922.
===Inspiration to all the policy wonks out there! ===
That’s not how any of this works.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:06 am
Looks like they’re on my doorstep, trying to tell me about “the good news”.
Always enjoy my scoop of vanilla, with another scoop of vanilla.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:09 am
seems like a smart move for Sullivan because his running mate is based upon substance while Irvin’s choice was pure identity politics.
Comment by Robbie Gould Fan Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:15 am
So I guess I can pay attention to Sullivan without feeling silly again.
Going with an Ives person is an interesting idea. “Ives, But With Money” could be something.
…assuming he has money, and that that initial $11M wasn’t just a one-off.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:17 am
==seems like a smart move for Sullivan because his running mate is based upon substance==
Controlled substance?
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:19 am
“”a new generation of outsider leadership”"
I’m still trying to maintain the benefit of the doubt for Jesse. This announcement just made me think of Dan Proft’s fake newspapers, and Charlie Kirk’s fake interviews.
Comment by walker Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:19 am
===based upon substance===
She was an utter phony in Proft ads. Literally… an actress.
- Robbie Gould Fan -, reading your comments these past… “weeks”, I gathered you’re a Sullivan fan. That’s great.
To think this choice is a “substance” choice… with her connections to Proft and Ives, a phony prop in ads for Proft no less.. and announcing on a Friday… there’s no substance, this is a choice to appease a constituency for a California valor stealing candidate needing “something”… like an actual running mate.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:20 am
A communication director should have better instincts than to unveil the ticket with a dreary mid-winter photo that looks like it was taken on an iPhone outside the office building where they just met each other for the first time.
Comment by The Most Anonymous Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:21 am
===Murphy does have TV advertising experience. She was featured in a gob of Dan Proft ads a half-dozen years ago===
I would like to note for the record that her presence in these videos would prevent her from passing vetting to have any meaningful role as campaign staff on a professionally run presidential campaign and would impact her ability to gain employment in the federal executive branch or federal legislative branch. I get that we don’t really do that kind of vetting here in Illinois where congressional candidates sign contracts promising jobs in exchange for political favors and we all try to look the other way when it comes to the impact of Governor Thompson’s illegal hiring scheme that required political contributions to be considered for state employment, but I still take this as a big sign of scraping the barrel.
Vetting would red flag Kathleen Murphy’s file, but maybe the book burning GOP of 2022 think this kind of thing is a bonus?
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:25 am
Robbie Gould Fan
“”substance”"??
Well, at least you got good taste in kickers.
Comment by walker Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:26 am
Darn shame Emma Woodhouse was unavailable. Though this does seem like the closest alternative.
Comment by SWSider Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:28 am
=Census Bureau says 11% of Illinois has Irish ancestry,=
what is this 1952? what a dumb thought. political campaigns have become about data. and honestly ancestry is not nearly as big of an indicator as what kind of car does the person drive.
old thoughts and ideas go in the trash.
Comment by MaddyMoon Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:28 am
All I know is I wish we could have an Aaron Del Mar vs Kathleen Murphy debate for the LT race. That would be epic. The brawler vs the Brainiac.
Comment by Nagidam Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:31 am
Jesse sullivan has officially jumped the shark
Comment by Shytown Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:31 am
== seems like a smart move for Sullivan because his running mate is based upon substance while Irvin’s choice was pure identity politics ==
That you Mr. Sullivan. Assuming this comment wasn’t intended to be snark.
The number of people who decided their vote in a primary (or general) based off of who the Lt Governor candidate is can fit into a CTA bendy bus
Comment by OneMan Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:34 am
Sullivan is irrelevant. He’s likely hoping for a job to be named later in a potential Irvin administration. Murphy the same thing.
Comment by low level Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:35 am
So now does Ives go and endorse them? And what about Ives favorite candidate for Congress Pekau do who’s in all on Irwin?
Comment by Soft R Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:41 am
Everybody has to start somewhere.
Might as well start at the top.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:41 am
So is Murphy a single mom, or was that a fabrication, too?
Comment by anon2 Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:45 am
So wonder if Ives goes with Bailey or Sullivan now? And does this hurt Irvin in the Collar Counties and Cook?
Comment by Long time Independent Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:49 am
“single mom” makes a comeback. Seem to recall she had a roll renting a PO box in Quad Cities to collect absentee ballot applications that were sent to Ds. I think the postal service fumbled the probe
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:51 am
Rich, that ad montage of her - hysterical
Guess we know she can stay on message.
Comment by Scott Fawell's Cellmate Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:52 am
At least we know she can stay on script.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:53 am
=Inspiration to all the policy wonks out there!=
= based upon substance=
=Kathleen lives the values of faith, family, and service.=
Yeah, tons of policy and substance there in the worn out signaling to evangelicals.
=we will end Pritzker’s harmful mandates for our kids on Day 1,=
Yes, more policy wonkism. More like dog whistle to the nutjobs.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 9:58 am
Maybe Sullivan is pulling a “Newman” and paying Murphy to be on the ticket. /s
Comment by don the legend Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:01 am
===And does this hurt Irvin in===
You really think she controls a large enough bloc of voters to swing an election four years after she lost?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:04 am
My god, could it get any worse? The GOP is completely directionless. Sullivan’s pick - is so low-level. He clearly couldn’t get anyone to sign-up with his baggage despite his bank account. What is going on here? It’s bizarre.
Comment by Stayinghome Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:06 am
Without trying to sort out the strengths or weaknesses of the Republican candidates, I am thinking that the Jeanne Ives rolodex could be a much bigger plus in the Illinois Republican primary than the Ken Griffin checkbook.
On balance Mayor Irvin has that “living the American Dream” resume that would certainly set him apart from Governor Pritzker in the General Election, but first he has to win the Republican primary and if the Jeanne Ives folks jump on the Sullivan idea that could cause some tough going for the Mayor.
Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:06 am
**Pretty cool that an ideas/policy person got tapped for a candidate role.**
That would be cool, but what does that have to do with this post?
Comment by SaulGoodman Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:07 am
Honestly, this is just weird.
Comment by anon3 Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:07 am
=== Without trying to sort out the strengths or weaknesses of the Republican candidates, I am thinking that the Jeanne Ives rolodex could be a much bigger plus in the Illinois Republican primary than the Ken Griffin checkbook.===
Yeah, you’re gonna have to sort that out … lol
Rauner swamped his foes in his first primary, those with deep Rolodexes, and organizations too.
It’s a wish, not a truth.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:08 am
Why doesn’t anybody ever ask me to be Lt. Governor? I would be GREAT.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:12 am
I’m still trying to figure out exactly what it is I’m supposed to be saved from.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:13 am
I don’t get it. Why would someone with money in the bank pick someone’s campaign spokesperson? Seems desperate. Like really desperate.
Comment by downstated Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:14 am
==I don’t get it. Why would someone with money in the bank pick someone’s campaign spokesperson? Seems desperate. Like really desperate. ==
I think you *do* get it, lol.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:15 am
I do think this is…better for Sullivan than things were yesterday. Obviously because now he can circulate petitions. But also, the Ives crowd, at least that gives him a base. He had a neither-fish-nor-fowl problem before.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:17 am
===Seems desperate. Like really desperate===
Also desperate to start circulating petitions, which they can now do.
Please note that the legal team of Parkhurst, Bernas, and Amrozowicz will oversee all petitions…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:18 am
OW makes good points
Not thinking the Ives folks can alone reflate the Sullivan ballon, but Jeanne Ives has a following. I am not in that following, but in the R’s primary they can add votes.
35% can win and her group will vote in the primary and would help Sullivan.
Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:19 am
=I am thinking that the Jeanne Ives rolodex could be a much bigger plus in the Illinois Republican primary than the Ken Griffin checkbook.=
I guess you missed the number of folks that lined up to endorse Irvin. Based on that list I’m not sure who would be left in any Ives rolodex. And I don’t know how enthusiasm for Ives 4 years ago translates to support for her former comms director. If people were longing a return of an Ives campaign I’m guessing she would have run.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:20 am
“Rauner swamped his foes in his first primary”
As I recall Bruce got about 40% to Dilliards 37%…if the Rutherford “gay” scandal had not been “leaked” right before primary, I suspect Kirk would have one. Dan’s support melted and helped Bruce.
Comment by Gordon Willis Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:22 am
Agree Soccermom would be a better choice
Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:26 am
===Why doesn’t anybody ever ask me to be Lt. Governor? I would be GREAT.===
Now I wish the LGs ran separately again, you’d be an asset to any Guv as LG.
Maybe they got your cell phone number jumbled? That happens…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:28 am
Wow, this speaks volumes of the bench the Republicans have in Illinois. This is reaching into the D Team.
Comment by B Team Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:35 am
-Wow, this speaks volumes of the bench the Republicans have in Illinois. This is reaching into the D Team.-
All the rest probably (rightly) saw this as a hopeless cause. At least Ms. Murphy will be able to raise her profile without putting another job on the line to run.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:41 am
=I would be GREAT.=
Using slip and fall Sanguinetti as a baseline, you definitely couldn’t be worse. You would be more entertaining, that is for sure.
=I’m still trying to figure out exactly what it is I’m supposed to be saved from.=
I am with Demo here, why do they keep talking about “saving” and “taking back”? I have never noticed the state missing and things are definitely looking up fiscally. What the heck are they talking about?
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:46 am
- JS Mill -
While Slip and Sue was a low bar, I’m now on the Sanguinetti for Dupage County Clerk bandwagon big time, and I wish her well.
I’m especially looking forward to yard signs.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 10:49 am
==I am with Demo here, why do they keep talking about “saving” and “taking back”?==
Same as it was for the Bernie Epton campaign in ‘83, and long before that.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:21 am
Well, I appreciated your joke, Dan.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:31 am
Had not really thought about the Bernie Epton race for years.
Roadrager is right about that race.
I was on the Harold Washington team and remember that race well.
Really the same old buzz words.
Comment by Back to the Future Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:42 am
===As I recall Bruce got about 40% to Dilliards 37%===
When Rutherford, well, when Rutherford “Rutherforded” himself, it didn’t matter the scandal, as I recall Labor waited *WAY* too long to flip to Dillard, waiting that hurt Dillard that couldn’t overcome… the money, ads, etc…
As I also recall the Dillard post-mortem was “if we had one more week” kinda thingy.
Yeah, maybe, but Labor waiting and waiting…
===Dan’s support melted and helped Bruce.===
Solely due to Rutherford staying in to burn it all down after ruining his own career with that Friday Fiasco.
I hear ya.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 11:48 am
The YouTube link was really funny…. single moms love political newcomers, apparently.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 12:04 pm
Interesting that they’re using the Chicago flag stars as “their” logo.
As to the pick, whatever. Uninspiring pick from an uninspiring candidate. Maybe Murphy can actually say in 10 words what it takes Sullivan 100 words to say.
Comment by Steve Rogers Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 12:13 pm
What is her educational background?
I pulled up her LinkedIn to try to get a sense of how old she is and there are jobs dating back to 2005 but nothing about college.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 12:48 pm
Back to the Future —
Land of Lincoln.
There. I said it.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 1:36 pm
“I’m proud to introduce the next Lt. Gov of Illinois, @KMurphyIL”
Who would name their kid @KMurphyIL? Is Kathleen just a nickname? /s
Comment by G'Kar Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 1:50 pm
I agree with Arsenal’s comments.
Comment by Correcting Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 1:51 pm
Kinda underwhelmed by Sullivan’s choice of a running mate. Supports my theory that others said “thanks for asking but no.”
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 1:55 pm
I’ll put my hands on my hips…emphasizing my male dominance and authority…you cross your arms over your chest (indicating fearful submission/fear) to protect yourself from my super powers…yeah…just like that…perrrfect.
Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:39 pm
-What is her educational background?-
Correct. LinkedIn bio and website do not contain any educational history.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:57 pm