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* UPDATED x1 * Pritzker jumps into another state central committeeperson race

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* Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) just reported a $55,000 contribution from Gov. Pritzker’s campaign fund to her state central committeewoman account. Quotes…

Governor Pritzker: “Margaret Croke has devoted her career to fighting for women, working families, and the LGBTQ+ community. She has been an invaluable asset to the General Assembly, leading the way on reproductive rights, economic opportunity, and public safety. I know that Margaret will continue to be a force for change and never stop fighting for Illinois and the 5th District. I am delighted to endorse Margaret for the State Central Committee.”

Margaret Croke: “I’m proud to have Governor Pritzker’s support in my campaign for the Democratic Committeewoman of the 5th District. Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, we have made Illinois the most pro-choice state in the country, passed balanced budgets to put our state back on a path to fiscal sustainability, and implemented commonsense reforms to help keep Illinoisans safe. I look forward to fighting to make Illinois the best place it can be for all who call it home as a member of the Democratic Party of Illinois.”

Croke is up against two other candidates, incumbent Nancy Shepherdson and MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos. Shepherdson has been endorsed by DPI Chair Robin Kelly.

Rep. Croke said she plans to use the money to mail to women primary voters. Croke had $59K in the bank at the end of the first quarter and has raised $77,000 since then, including the Pritzker check.

*** UPDATE *** Pritzker’s campaign also contributed $55,000 to Rep. Natalie Manley, who is running for state central committee against incumbent Christine Benson.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:18 am

Comments

Shepherdson must have been redistricted into the 5th. She is currently serving the 6th.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:22 am
I get why Pritzker wants to have a Dem central committee to his liking.

What I don’t get is why wait to make these mega-dumps of cash now when early voting has been going on for weeks already.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:23 am
Prtizker needs to give some cash to Terrell Barnes running in the 8th CD.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:23 am
Good for JB. He’s one of the true leaders of the Illinois Democratic party. When you are financing races, you have a real voice.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:24 am
Rich, that anon comment should be deleted. No need to resort to body shaming.

Comment by Tood Aloo Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:37 am
Illinois Democrats shocked to see the San Francisco District Attorney recalled last night for the failures of the same criminal justice reforms they support now are pivoting to supporting some unnamed common sense reforms to keep Illinois safe

A former Republican billionaire got the most votes for Mayor of LA last night.

Can Democrats see the canary in the coal mine or will they keep whistling past the graveyard?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:40 am
Margaret Croke-”I’m proud to have Governor Pritzker’s support”

Richard Irvin-”Ken who?”

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:40 am
LP, what does that comment have to do with this post?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:48 am
==What I don’t get is why wait to make these mega-dumps of cash now when early voting has been going on for weeks alread==

Terrific point. Can anyone explain why the Gov. waited?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:49 am
A former Republican billionaire got the most votes for Mayor of LA last night.
-

Mayor and Gov are two different things. That mayor was also endorsed by big LA celebrities.

Comment by Real Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:49 am
JB obviously has more money then judgement.

Comment by Sue Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:50 am
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:23 am:

Early voting in Chicago only started last week.

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:50 am
“Prtizker needs to give some cash to Terrell Barnes running in the 8th CD”

Is Barnes willing to align himself with JB at the expense of Robin Kelly and Durbin? That will determine if billionaires bucks flow to him

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:50 am
Pritzker is making his move to consolidate the state central committee, marginalized or take out Kelly, and to outright have control, with his folks winning.

Considering that Kelly is a mere, and admitted, figurehead, might as well take control away from the figurehead.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:51 am
Durbin has over a million on hand and likely will never have another competitive election. Is he going to help anyone who sided with him against the Governor? Or is he going to embrace the DC Democratic tradition of turtling at the first sign of conflict?

Comment by vern Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:51 am
==LP, what does that comment have to do with this post? ==

Well, the post is about Democrats, and Democrats bad, so…

Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:52 am
===A former Republican billionaire got the most votes for Mayor of LA last night.===

Outside of the fact it has no relevance to this post, it may be relevant if you passed this on to Griffin if Illinois’ richest man is so upset about Chicago crime. Griffin for Mayor?

I fed your ridiculousness, your foolish take too only works if Griffin decides to run for mayor.

To the actual post, again, as a party position, the governor having to take down rebellious members or fight fir seats against his leadership is a power grab by others not in line with building any party, especially with a figurehead

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:56 am
I’m not rooting for anyone in this race, but am disappointed to not see at least some folks talk about someway to limit the impact of money in our political system.

Especially in these small, low turnout races.

Comment by SWSider Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 9:57 am
It’s right there in the statement Rich

Margaret Croke is running on being pro choice, passing balanced budgets and implementing common sense reforms to keep Illinois safe

Many of her constituents are dubious about the effectiveness of those common sense reforms keeping them safe

Democratic voters in other big cities- New York, LA and San Francisco are voting out supporters of these progressive criminal justice reforms because they are ineffective

Why is Illinois immune from this given the low approval of our Mayor and States Attorney?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 10:01 am
== Illinois Democrats shocked==

No one is shocked. Boudin’s defeat was clear months ago. But unfortunately for you, the reformer DAs in Alameda and Conta Cristi held on, as did the state AG, so your narrative is sucking wind.

If this is trouble for “soft on crime” pols this year, I imagine that’s mostly a problem for the criminal defense attorney who represented guys who attacked cops and promised to fix his girlfriend’s offenses.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 10:27 am
== A former Republican billionaire ==

If billionaire non-Republicans are winning elections (Caruso is, of course, a long way from that) that actually sounds like good news for JB Pritzker.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 10:39 am
-Illinois Democrats shocked to see the San Francisco District Attorney -

Illinois isn’t California . Federalism really is a thing. Illinois weather doesn’t allow for a large homeless population. What goes on in California does/will have little impact on voters in this state.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 10:49 am
===Democratic voters in other big cities- New York, LA and San Francisco are voting out supporters of these progressive criminal justice reforms because they are ineffective===

Why are there no Republicans wiling to run for mayor of Chicago?

In reality, the Chicago GOP backed (gasp) a Democrat during the last election.

Patient heal thyself, LP, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 10:49 am
===Why is Illinois immune from this given the low approval of our Mayor and States Attorney?===

Jack O’Malley was a lifetime ago. Devine and “Punch 10” ended the rise of the presumed “Governor O’Malley”.

I ask again, if your beef is with Democratic leadership, where are the “Jack O’Malleys” of the Chicago GOP or Cook County GOP running for Mayor of Chicago or Cook County State’s Attorney

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 10:54 am
“Griffin for Mayor?”

Sure. Just about anyone is more competent than Lightfoot.

Comment by Average Person Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 10:59 am
==Why is Illinois immune from this given the low approval of our Mayor and States Attorney?==

No one thinks IL is immune from it. Indeed, you might view JB and the DGA going after Irwin as evidence Dems in this state are very concerned.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 11:01 am
No one thinks IL is immune from it. Indeed, you might view JB and the DGA going after Irwin as evidence Dems in this state are very concerned.
-

Only concern would be the money issue. Beyond that nobody is concerned about Irvin.

Comment by Real Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 11:19 am
This is a post about a DPI central committee race but the Republicans in the comments would rather talk about elections in California.

To the post, I think it’s smart that JB is getting more involved in these races in order to win the chair, but it’s odd that it took until June to do so.

Comment by The Real Downstate Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 11:29 am
I support Nancy Shepardson she has done spectacular work up here in lake county and is sharp as a tack. She is experienced and knows how to craft a proper message.

Comment by Lake villa Township Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 11:51 am
No one is concerned about Irwin?

Then why is the DGA and JB spending 12 million in just the last 5 weeks to defeat an African American veteran who is running on being tough on crime?

Is JB planning on spending 170 million again this cycle?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 11:53 am
===Then why is the DGA and JB spending 12 million===

Spend $12 million now, save $120 million in the general.

Not too difficult to grasp.

It sidelines Griffin more than anyone Griffin supports

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 12:15 pm
@Lucky Pete -

Pritzker is going to spend whatever it takes to win. Whatever it takes.

Griffin is outspending the opposition 3-1 in a primary and still losing. He might beat JB in the general if he is willing to outspend 4-1 or 5-1, but maybe not.

Once JB hits $150M, he’s probably willing to spend $300M.

Is Griffin willing to spend $2B, and then maybe still lose?

Maybe. I dunno. It would be an entire year of income. He can afford to certainly, but he didn’t get rich because he loves burning money either. $50M is chump change, but $2B is real money.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 1:04 pm
To the update;

You choose a side, those choices have consequences.

Pritzker *should* take on all the SCC members that voted against “him”. Every single one.

Durbin and Kelly should defend their allies, amirite?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 2:04 pm
===No one is concerned about Irwin?===

I am deeply concerned about Irwin. He didn’t deserve to go like that, attacked by a sting ray. RIP, Steve.

Comment by The Real Downstate Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 2:08 pm
===Pritzker *should* take on all the SCC members that voted against “him”. Every single one. Durbin and Kelly should defend their allies, amirite?===

100% agree. JB has the $ to fund candidates in every single central committee race and I’m surprised he didn’t. Bill Houlihan should be thanking his lucky stars that he didn’t get a JB-funded opponent. No idea why he wasn’t challenged and no idea why Durbin is putting his committee and PAC $ into action by funding their own candidates. Seems like both sides of this fight have been fairly loathe to actually do some campaigning.

Comment by The Real Downstate Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 2:13 pm
=== Durbin and Kelly should defend their allies ===

Instead, Kelly is processing JB’s mail for the lower postal rate, according to the a-1 traffic this week. Pretty bold of JB to ask for a money-saving favor from the organization he’s currently laying siege to. A prouder crew would’ve turned him down, but pride is an alien quality for DC Democrats.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 2:21 pm
===Pretty bold of JB to ask for a money-saving favor===

It’s not a favor.

It’s the job of the committee to be the indicia for mailing.

The real mistake being made isn’t the governor looking to take out Kelly, the real mistake is thinking as the current leader or having control of the committee allows for “favors”… it’s not a favor, it’s the required job.

===A prouder crew would’ve turned him down===

Then everything, every single thing, about “unity” would’ve evaporated as quickly as the reality Kelly could do the job and not be a figurehead.

Pride is what got Durbin and Kelly in this mess to begin with, lol

===but pride is an alien quality for DC Democrats.===

Two different animals. Required responsibilities, even as you’re possibly being taken down versus pride in “whatever” that means in DC isn’t remotely the same.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 2:30 pm
Willy, I think you’re forgetting some recent DPI history. After some Senate Dems ran on anti-Madigan legislative leader term limits in 2018, they got shut out of the bulk rate completely. Now that was Madigan, and Kelly pledged to be different, but that shouldn’t be license to use Party perks while also attempting a hostile takeover of the party.

Also the idea that JB isn’t solely responsible here is baffling. What exactly does he want Robin Kelly to do that she isn’t doing? She hasn’t done anything to tilt party infrastructure away from Pritzker. If Kim Lightford or Jay Hoffman had spent the year refusing to endorse the leaders they lost to for re-election, and then funded primary candidates against members who voted the other way, would that lack of unity be Welch and Harmon’s fault? Not remotely.

JB has decided to stretch this fight out after losing. He won’t say why. He decided that all these longtime activists and volunteers are his enemy because they disagreed with him once. He decided to go bull-in-a-china-shop against all of these influential Democrats without knowing who their friends and supporters are. You can say it’s his right, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t his choice.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 3:07 pm
===What exactly does he want Robin Kelly to do that she isn’t doing?===

Go away? /s

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 3:34 pm
===I think you’re forgetting===

I’m not forgetting anything.

===Now that was Madigan===

Yeah, that’s the “thing”. I’m not forgetting anything. Madigan is gone. Kelly has a responsibility that Kelly, herself, said she’d do. It’s not even in the the neighborhood of the parking lot of the ball park, this “idea” of a “favor”… nope.

This is comical, like spit take comical;

===Party perks while also attempting a hostile takeover of the party.===

So are the voters involved in this hostile takeover, or are elections now something that shouldn’t happen, just everyone gets a pass?

A perk? Perk? The whole idea of the state party as a pass thru is the indicia. You think it’s a good idea to deny the bulk mail rate?

Elections have consequences, Kelly’s folks voted for her, now face the voters.

===If Kim Lightford or Jay Hoffman had spent the year refusing to endorse the leaders they lost to for re-election, and then funded primary candidates against members who voted the other way, would that lack of unity be Welch and Harmon’s fault?===

I dunno what this all means or how it’s similar, except in the voters deciding, no back room “hostile takeover”, lol.

=== JB has decided to stretch this fight out after losing===

No.

JB has decided to let the voters decide on who will decide things.

===He decided that all these longtime activists and volunteers are his enemy because they disagreed with him once.===

“JB never asks a second favor once he’s refused the first, understood?”

- Tom Hagen, attributed

One vote matters. Leader. That’s old school. The rest of the votes don’t ever come close to that.

===against all of these influential Democrats without knowing who their friends and supporters are.===

Then why the worry? These folks should win, handily. They got all these influencers, right?

===You can say it’s his right, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t his choice.===

It is his choice. Pritzker wants them out.

The voters will decide these fates.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 3:46 pm
One of the oldest rules in the campaign and governing game is that politics is a game of addition not subtraction.
I’m sure we have all heard that saying at least a hundred times.
Apparently JBP thinks differently. Apparently he is special and has a big checkbook so maybe old rules don’t apply or maybe the world has changed.
Time will tell.

Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 4:12 pm
===Prtizker needs to give some cash to Terrell Barnes running in the 8th CD===

Ha. That would be a waste of cash. Cudzik doesn’t even need to run a campaign to win reelection. He’s very popular with dems out here. Plus, not that Cudzik would need to, but he could probably get a bunch of cash if it was something he cared about. He is political director for IEBW 134

Comment by Murman Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 4:21 pm
==That would be a waste of cash. Cudzik doesn’t even need to run a campaign to win reelection.==

What a fantastic attitude you have, particularly about an up and comer Terrell Barnes who is an elected official who actually has had to balance budgets for a local taxing body.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Jun 8, 22 @ 8:09 pm
—OW—
The Tom Hagen quote is spot on. TeamJB thinks he’s the Godfather. The petty war with the first black woman chair so they can restore boss politics and one-man rule of the Democratic Party will have long lasting negative consequences.

Comment by Dem Unity Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 6:24 am
===The petty war with the first black woman chair===

Slow down, Speed Racer.

It’s Durbin that Pritzker is fighting, not Kelly.

Also, ignoring that Kelly is a figurehead and presented her own idea as how it would go, it turns out Kelly was an absolute phony.

Kelly is not a victim in her proxy position.

Those choosing to support Kelly should face the voters with a clear choice to that… it can’t be “one man rule” if things are decided at the ballot box.

Good try. No. Sorry.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 6:35 am
===Apparently JBP thinks differently. Apparently he is special and has a big checkbook so maybe old rules don’t apply or maybe the world has changed.===

Apparently, if Pritzker wins seats, that’s called addition.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 6:54 am
OW “It’s Durbin that Pritzker is fighting, not Kelly.”

Actually, it’s half the Democratic Party. He wants loyal subjects and zero disagreements. As you said, disagree once with The Godfather and he won’t ask twice.

Comment by Dem Unity Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 7:20 am
=== it’s half the Democratic Party===

LOL, that’s not true.

It’s half of a bunch of folks who decided to choose a side.

They chose. Now the voters will decide.

If those folks are so popular, they should defeat Pritzker’s folks easily.

=== He wants loyal subjects and zero disagreements===

The voters… the voters… will decide.

Keep up. No one is a victim.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 7:24 am
- Dem Unity -

Why are you so afraid of voters choosing?

I hope the voters wholly reject Durbin’s Crew as they were utterly phony to what role Kelly had, would have, and in the end Kelly was a figurehead, exactly as predicted.

No role should be guaranteed, let the voters have a choice.

In the GOP, in Illinois, we don’t have that.

So, your beef is you don’t need democracy in your party… like the ILGOP has it?

That’s… fun.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 7:31 am
The only victims here are the Democratic voters. TeamJB wants to control all political decisions throughout Illinois, and they’ve embarrassingly lost major battles. Those battles HE PICKED with other Democrats unfortunately didn’t require him to weigh in… all he had to do was show up at the finish line and join the winner. Those were bad strategic decisions which have hurt the party’s unity, and instead of taking accountability internally and changing ways, they’ve doubled down with the heavy handed control-everything approach. Let’s remind readers at home:
1. Fair tax
2. Senate President
3. DPI Chair
He’s may soon add Secretary of State/Valencia to this list.

Even if he buys control of DPI for his presidential run, those “bunch of folks” he targeted have communities of supporters who rightly so don’t want the one-man rule style of politics to return. Disagree with Boss Pritzker once—he’ll spend ungodly amounts of money against you, Democrat or not. The only victims are the Democratic voters in these scenarios.

Comment by Dem Unity Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 8:00 am
=== The only victims here are the Democratic voters.===

Please stop. You are literally embarrassing yourself.

The voters are going to vote. You can grasp that, right?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 8:07 am
===Even if he buys control of DPI===

I sincerely, no snark, no joke, don’t think you know how voting works, you want wholly entitled party hacks to face no consequences by voters.

That’s pretty sad when your take is lacking such self awareness, LOL

==The only victims are the Democratic voters in these scenarios.===

Win your race.

You said yourself, Pritzker “loses all the time”.

Why worry about this election. Beat him.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 8:10 am
OW, clearly you’ve embarrassing missed the point—Despite you and the other TeamJB egos, this has never been about beating JB. Have a nice day.

Comment by Dem Unity Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 8:23 am
===this has never been about beating JB===

Then why all the thoughts about those lazy party hacks voting against Pritzker?

Win their race.

It’s like you are afraid to have voters decide.

===missed the point===

The point is the coddled party elite want free passes after choosing sides.

Yeah, let voters decide.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 8:27 am
===this has never been about beating JB===

Correct. This has always been about Durbin and his top deputy controlling the state party.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 9, 22 @ 8:32 am