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Governor campaigning in Maine and New Hampshire this weekend

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Illinois

* Lynn Sweet yesterday…

Over the weekend, Pritzker stumps for out-of-state Democrats with a New Hampshire stop sparking more speculation about a presidential bid at some point.

Pritzker – who faces no rival in the June 28 Democratic Illinois primary for governor - is taking his first swing this campaign cycle to other states.

With a leaked Supreme Court opinion seeming to indicate the court is poised to strip women of their current abortion rights, Pritzker, who is making his support for abortion rights a centerpiece of his bid for a second term, is focusing on electing Democratic governors, given his belief that Democratic governors in the post-Roe era are the last line of defense to defend abortion rights.

In Maine, Pritzker will campaign for Gov. Janet Mills. In New Hampshire, Pritzker will boost the re-election campaigns of Sen. Maggie Hassan and Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas and the bid for governor from Tom Sherman, a physician who is a state senator.

* WMUR TV last night…

“I am thrilled to join Democrats in the Granite State for their annual state convention and look forward to addressing their members ahead of one of the most critical midterm elections of our lifetimes,” Pritzker said. “I’m proud to be supporting pro-choice candidates like Maggie Hassan and the next governor of New Hampshire, Dr. Tom Sherman, as well as Annie Kuster, Chris Pappas, and state and local candidates from the North Country to the Seacoast.”

The NHDP convention is set for Saturday, June 18th, which follows closely on the heels of the 2022 McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner in downtown Manchester Friday night.

“We’re thrilled to have Governor Pritzker heading to the Granite State for this momentous occasion, and are so thankful for his continued support in electing Democrats all over New Hampshire this election cycle,” said NHDP Chair Ray Buckley. “This year, we need all hands on deck to elect Democrats who are going to protect reproductive health care, public education, and fight to lower costs for Granite Staters.”

* Greg Hinz this morning…

A source close to the Democratic governor said he is speaking in New Hampshire in response to an invitation. That source said he is not trying to send a message about running for another job but conceded, “People will view it that way.”

The day before his New Hampshire speech, Pritzker will be in Washington, D.C., meeting with senior Democratic officials as part of his campaign to lure the Democratic National Convention to Chicago in the summer of 2024.

I have usually dismissed the notion that Pritzker is gearing up to run nationwide. But I watched him speak at a smallish pro-choice event in Chicago’s West Loop a few weeks ago and he had a very different vibe about him. I walked away thinking he could very well be considering it. His people say that’s because this issue is so important to him. It was his venerated late mom’s top issue, they note, but he’s also committed to electing Democratic governors in the face of the upcoming Supreme Court decision.

So, I suppose we’ll see. A whole lot of dominoes have to fall just exactly right for there to even be an opening in 2024. Being the right person, at the right place at the right time is all-important in this business. If nothing else, Barack Obama taught us that. He also taught us that money isn’t necessarily the most important thing when running for POTUS.

Anyway, I still don’t see it, but whatevs. Not pushing back like I did before. But, please, spare us the silly theories like you’re some John Kass repeatedly claiming Mike Madigan wanted nothing more than to make his daughter Lisa the governor. I already deleted one of those over the top thumbsuckers this morning. It’s tiresome.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:21 am

Comments

So you’re saying there’s a chance?

Comment by CubsFan16 Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:25 am
We are getting closer to the jb pritzker / Eric adams good vibes ticket

Comment by Left of what Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:26 am
I’m with you, Rich. I dismissed it before- he would never challenge Biden or Harris. And I still think that’s true, I just think he’s positioning himself in case neither one of them run.

Which still seems like a remote possibility, but JB might as well try.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:27 am
I think he was trying to get a respite from the midwestern heat.

I don’t see him as prez candidate, but political egos do tend to run rampant.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:29 am
Eh. It’s summer. He has no primary to speak of, and it’s too early for him to get out on the trail here so he can let ads do the work. Most politicians are very ambitious, so who knows, but I’m going to take a wait and see approach on this.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:30 am
All I’ll say is the democratic party could certainly do worse

Comment by Nick Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:32 am
What are Kamala’s approval ratings again?

Comment by CubsFan16 Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:33 am
I’m also skeptical that he’ll be viable nationally, either in a presidential primary or as a VP pick. But there are other reasons to run for President, and those might be in play here. If Illinois does get an early primary date from the DNC, Pritzker could have a lot of power to keep electeds here neutral by holding his candidacy out. It will give him a lot of leverage with other potential presidents.

And, of course, he ran for Governor after his sister spent time in the Cabinet. That relationship is pretty murky, but it’s entirely possible he wants the option of a cabinet spot in the next administration that’s more prestigious than Commerce. Upping his national profile increases the chances of that kind of offer.

There’s also just a general power vacuum among national Democrats right now. The leadership in DC is octogenarian, Senators can’t get anything done, and there aren’t a lot of Governors drawing Presidential speculation. No matter what specific position he wants, a Presidential campaign is an excuse to keep building influence.

Comment by vern Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:36 am
The weather in Maine and New Hampshire is really nice this time of year. Just sayin’.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:36 am
He will run. He will lose.

Comment by ;) Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:38 am
Couldn’t hurt, increasing more and more a national profile with retail politics in other states…

The governor of the FIFTH (after some adjustments in the census) largest state in America, why not be seen outside Illinois, the midwest…

Plus, if Pritzker wins, with a comfortable double digit victory, the glossed-over overall will be he’s a governor that can translate to electoral success in these times.

It was one weekend… but…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:39 am
Echo what Nick said.

Before the national Dems dismiss him, they’d better look around.

2024 will make 2020 look like 1996.

Comment by Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:42 am
I remember another recent Prez from Illinois who was told he’d never win. Winning another term by huge majority should be his first concern if running for higher office.

Comment by BTO2 Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:44 am
Of course he is. And with Mike Z delivering him Darren Bailey as an opponent it’s all good for JB. And to the I do t see it crowd he’s been preparing for this run for over a year. And everyone knows it

Comment by Watchful eye. Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:44 am
It’s a testament to Pritzker’s popularity and his success in leading the state. At the end of his tenure Governor Rauner couldn’t even get an invite to a presidential rally in his own state yet alone a request to be seen outside of Illinois. He resorted to having our neighboring governors bash how bad the state was. The fact that Pritzker’s presence in Maine and New Hampshire is sought is a good thing.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:46 am
I’m chalking it up to efforts on moving Illinois to early primary state for 2024 and hosting the DNC convention.

Could he be laying the groundwork for a future national role? Sure. But I think the 2 goals for 2024 are more likely.

Comment by Anonish Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:48 am
Don’t think he’s a ‘24 candidate: much work to accomplish in Illinois that he takes personally. In ‘28, he’d be a formidable candidate if things fall his, and Illinois’ way. JB would only be 63 which makes him downright youthful among today’s national politicians.

Comment by Now What? Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:48 am
===And everyone knows it===

This is Governor Lisa Madigan type of speaking.

If anything about this crew I’ve observed, it’s that there’s a quiet to their noise, where the closer one is to the governor, the less noise that is heard.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:50 am
This earlier on public appearances don’t really matter to voters anyhow. It would be about behind the scenes positioning more than anything and a savy person would be laying that groundwork regardless of how seriously they were considering it.

And don’t forget Pritzker is probably very attractive for national dems because Illinois is one of the few success stories they’re having at the moment. I doubt Pritzker has to beg to get slotted for these events.

Never hurts to get the toes a little wet and feel out the temp. Maybe you jump in for a swim or not.

Comment by twowaystreet Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:50 am
Obviously, he wouldn’t run against either Biden or Harris. But this doesn’t mean he’s not (indirectly) sending trial balloons while in the northeast.

Like the domino effect, campaigning for Dem candidates in Maine/New Hamp. is going to open the doors to allow for more nationwide candidates to begin ‘recruiting’ him for their stump events; expanding his exposure.

He knows that Biden may not run in 2024 and VP Harris is not an instant draw (or would have the Dem nod locked in) at this time.

Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:53 am
I was about to be like why is he campaigning up there. Well his choice as always and if he gets re-elected here by the time he makes that decision he’ll be almost halfway through his 2nd term as Governor.

Comment by Levois J Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:56 am
He is a Governor from a big Democratic state. Who would make a better candidate than him on the Democratic bench? Plus, he’s got money. JB can appeal to all wings of the Democratic party. Only a fool would underestimate him.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 9:56 am
He is absolutely going to run for president because he’s the type of person (rich, white, man) that thinks “Of course I can and should be president.”

Comment by SWSider Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:02 am
as a republican, I would rather see JB as my president over Biden. I say go for it.

Comment by MaddyMoon Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:05 am
Even if he doesn’t run, it’s a return to the era when an Illinois Governor could be a national political leader (which is a norm for high-population states). This hasn’t been the case for decades, especially due to constant political crises and instability.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:05 am
I heard from the Irvin-Bourne team that if Irvin had won the primary he would have ran for president one day. In short, one step at a time.

Comment by Chris Cleveland, No not the former Chicago GOP Chairman Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:06 am
I don’t know if he will run or not. I do think he would make a good president.

Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:11 am
I hear he’s been driving through Bettendorf on the way to Rock Island.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:11 am
I’ve believed for months that the perceived weakness of the current administration including the performance of many cabinet members who might normally be considered “the bench” will prompt an outsider to need to challenge in 2024 in order to save the Dem party. JB often saying he is the most progressive governor in America adds fuel to this idea. I think Gov Newsome has similar ideas. The Pritzkers have the money and clout to mount a formidable campaign –first subtle and then increasingly more obvious. Mr. Axelrod will be helpful as well.

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:20 am
I doubt 2024 is going to be an open race for Dems, but it’s never a bad idea to build relationships for 2028 now. There is no real downside and even if you don’t run you can help someone else with the relationships you develop which can lead to a cabinet post or such.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 10:25 am
Governor Platinum Spoon doesn’t appeal to my wing of the Democratic Party.

Comment by ;) Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 11:00 am
Not to be too sharp, but didn’t you also “not see” Obama getting as US Senate seat? I’m pretty sure I remember you telling a story about him talking to you when he was a state legislator and you thinking it would never happen, lol.
That being said, I think I agree it’s a huge longshot, but time will tell.

Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 11:16 am
“Governor Platinum Spoon doesn’t appeal to my wing of the Democratic Party.”

Okay, so he’s not a LaRouche guy. Cool.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 11:22 am
Polis from Colorado would be a better choice than JB if the Dems wanted to go the governor route. A lot more “outside the box” than JB. Strong Carol Moseley Braun vibes here if JB ran for prez. Interesting profile of Polis here: https://unherd.com/thepost/jared-polis-the-weirdest-democrat-in-america/

Comment by Middle Way Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 11:28 am
I had that feeling early on in the pandemic because of how he held his daily briefings. He always wanted to bring Trump into it. Given their disagreement it made sense I suppose. But day after day doing it? I actually said to some of my work colleagues that he was running for president.

Comment by ddp76 Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 11:44 am
JB can develop into presidential material but he’s not there yet. Not sufficiently polished, accomplished, and needs to improve his agency management. Let him get reelected and make 4 more years of fiscal accountability and improvements in delivering services to Illinoisans, then he’d have something to say. Add that to holding fast against the dystopian Republican vision of America and he’d be formidable in 2028.

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 11:55 am
== He is absolutely going to run for president because he’s the type of person (rich, white, man) that thinks “Of course I can and should be president.”==

That’s a weird statement, here I thought that republicans were the party of intolerance. “We know that you have a record as being very progressive on social issues, but you’re a white male so I’m going to have to ask you to leave now.” *facepalm*

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 1:03 pm
Hey Lynn,
Just early voted and lo and behold Pritzker has primary opposition: Beverly Miles and Karla Shaw, whoever they are.

Comment by Nitemayor Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 2:34 pm
If JB crushes his Trumpist opponent in the fall, then JB would have some plausibility should abysmal polls force Biden to face reality. Democrats will be looking for someone to defeat Trump or DeSantis.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 2:51 pm
My dream is that Pritzker stays in the Governor’s Manson and Duckworth takes the Oval Office.

Comment by Proud Papa Bear Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 3:13 pm
“And to the I do t see it crowd he’s been preparing for this run for over a year. And everyone knows it.”

Spoken like someone who most clearly doesn’t know it. Not gonna happen.

Comment by New Day Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 3:58 pm
Not that many dominoes have to fall:

- Crush Bailey in the Fall
- Uncle Joe gets told to move over as he is unelectable in 2024
- Pritzker indicates he can/will self fund up to $1 billion.

Much less likely things have happened in politics.

Comment by Do It Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 4:13 pm
“He is absolutely going to run for president because he’s the type of person (rich, white, man) that thinks “Of course I can and should be president.””

There is one, insignificant to me but, maybe not to others, difference between him and most every other rich, white, man that has been / run for President. Though, the block that wouldn’t vote for any Democrat are also predisposed to not voting for a Jewish person.

Comment by Proud Sucker Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 4:25 pm
“Pritzker has primary opposition: Beverly Miles and Karla Shaw”
Perhaps they are two of the Democrats who told Bruce Rauner every day to keep up the fight.

Comment by Proud Papa Bear Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 4:58 pm
The state party really likes him, at least the rank-and-file, plus he’s got the money to run a real primary against Harris, who has her fair share of detractors. I wouldn’t count him out. Could also get the progressive side of the party with his list of legislative accomplishments from choice to criminal justice reform

Comment by Local Person Tuesday, Jun 14, 22 @ 8:54 pm