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* Politico…
State Rep. Margaret Croke is readying a run for state comptroller should Mendoza bow out. Croke has been nudged by donors and some elected officials who want to make sure there’s a woman in one of the statewide seats, according to a person familiar with Croke’s moves. Croke served in the Pritzker administration as a deputy chief of staff at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. She was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2020.
As I told you back in May, Comptroller Susana Mendoza has committed to running for either reelection or Chicago mayor, but not both.
I would expect others to jump in if Mendoza doesn’t run again. Just to pull a name out of a hat, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim would be an interesting candidate.
* More on this office from the Tribune…
As Cook County Democrats prepare to gather later this week to endorse candidates for the 2026 primary election, there is growing speculation Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza will skip running for reelection so she can mount a possible 2027 bid for Chicago mayor.
Several Democratic sources said Mendoza has told them she will not run for a fourth term as the state’s chief fiscal control officer, an office she won in a special mid-term election in 2016. The sources requested confidentiality to avoid jeopardizing their relationships within the state Democratic Party.
In addition, Mendoza did not meet last week’s deadline set by Cook County Democratic Party officials to confirm an appearance at this Friday’s county slating to formally seek the endorsements of Democratic city ward and suburban township committeepeople. […]
“Comptroller Mendoza is weighing her options, including re-election,” Mendoza spokesman Abdon Pallasch said in a statement.
“She loves her job and is committed to public service. She will make her decision based on what is best for Illinois, Chicago and her family, but she will not run for two offices at the same time,” he said. “Whatever she decides to run for, she’ll be all in.”
* Speaking of this week’s slating…
10 State Senators from across Illinois are endorsing Juliana Stratton for United States Senate. The group represents communities from Chicago to Elgin to the Metro East and signifies the growing groundswell of support behind Juliana’s campaign, coming just one day after she was endorsed by Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Democrats from across Proviso Township.
“I’ve known Juliana for a long time – and I’ve stood side by side with her in the trenches. She’s a fighter who spends every day thinking about how she can deliver for every single Illinoisan,” said State Senator Cristina Castro. “Juliana leads with compassion, and that compassion makes her a fierce advocate for working families. I know she’ll spend every waking moment in the United States Senate fighting on behalf of my community and communities all across our state.”
“I’m proud to endorse Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate. Juliana has represented the whole state as Lieutenant Governor, and knows the issues facing all of our communities,” said State Senator Doris Turner. “I’m looking forward to continuing the work with Juliana as our next Senator.” […]
The full list of State Senators endorsing Juliana is below:
• Senator Christopher Belt, 57th District
• Majority Caucus Whip Cristina Castro, State Senator, 22nd District
• Senator Lakesia Collins, State Senator, 5th District
• Senator Mary Edly-Allen, State Senator, 31st District
• Senator Laura Ellman, State Senator, 21st District
• Assistant Majority Leader Mattie Hunter, State Senator, 3rd District
• Senator Adriane Johnson, State Senator, 30th District
• Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, State Senator, 4th District
• Majority Caucus Whip Julie A. Morrison, State Senator, 29th District
• Senator Doris Turner, State Senator, 48th District
Majority Leader Lightford endorsed Stratton at Speaker Welch’s event yesterday.
* The 47th Ward Dems are going with Biss in CD9…
Today, the 47th Ward Democrats announced its endorsement of Daniel Biss for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District. The 47th Ward has consistently posted the highest voter turnout of any ward in Chicago, including in the 2024 primary and general elections.
“Daniel impressed the 47th Ward Democrats’ endorsement committee and our entire membership by demonstrating that he is ready not only to fight for working people, but also to build coalitions and actually win,” said 47th Ward Democratic Committeeman Paul Rosenfeld. “We need big, bold ideas to tackle climate change, invest in transit and infrastructure, support our schools, lower prices for essentials, and deliver for our residents. Daniel is the best person for the job, and we proudly endorse him in the upcoming primary election.”
“The 47th Ward has consistently been one of the most civically engaged communities in Chicago, pushing for change at every level of government,” said Daniel Biss. “This district needs a representative in Washington who is ready to take on Donald Trump and his allies and finally put government back on the side of the people. I’m proud of the movement we’re building, and I’m grateful to have the support of the 47th Ward Democrats.”
Since launching his campaign in May, Biss has raised more than $700,000 and has been endorsed by Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (14th District), State Rep. Mary Beth Canty (54th District), State Rep. Sharon Chung (91st District), State Rep. Nicolle Grasse (53rd District), Retired State Sen. Heather Steans (7th District), and State Sen. Mark Walker (27th District). He has also earned the endorsement of 314 Action as well as dozens of current and former elected local leaders across the Chicagoland area.
* Back to Politico…
Ted Dabrowski and Aaron Del Mar are testing the waters [for governor], speaking with GOP insiders and potential donors about mounting campaigns. They would face DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, who’s already jumped in, and Joseph Severino who’s posted in social media that he’s running, too. […]
Del Mar is recognized in party circles across the state as he’s a former co-chair of the Illinois GOP and current Cook County Republican chair who ran as lieutenant governor alongside Gary Rabine in 2022.
Dabrowski is president of Wirepoints Corp., the conservative-leaning media company. While he lacks campaign experience, he’s a former banking executive and policy wonk whose fiscal message could resonate at a time of economic uncertainty. […]
Along with the money challenge, messaging will be an issue for GOP candidates as Pritzker and his Democratic Party will blame Republicans and President Donald Trump for the megabill that’s giving tax breaks to the wealthy and cutting Medicaid and food assistance programs.
“Conservative-leaning media company.” I guess that’s one way to describe it.
I told subscribers about Dabrowski a while ago and the Del Mar thing is already common knowledge.
Usually, folks like that would be encouraged to run down-ballot, but the party appears to have no marquee candidates waiting in the wings. And we still have no word on Republican down-ballot statewide hopefuls.
* Interview with Robin Kelly…
SHABNAM DANESH: I want to move on to the Senate primary. You’re running to replace, of course, retiring Senator Dick Durbin. He held the seat for more than 40 years. Big shoes to fill. Why do you believe you’re the right person to follow his footsteps?
ROBIN KELLY: I’m the only person in this race thus far that has worked effectively on every level of government, from local to state to county, and now the federal government. For 12.5 years. My district is urban, suburban and rural. I start in Chicago. I go south of Danville, west of Pontiac. I’m the only one in the race is federally represents, you know, a district like that. I feel like I have Illinois in my district, and I know that I’ve gotten stuff done. I mean, that’s the bottom line. Legislation passed, programs put in place, and great constituents services, thanks to my very wonderful staff.
* Raja interview…
[Krishnamoorthi] said one of his priorities if elected to the Senate would be to expand a 2018 law he sponsored that modernized and increased funding for career and technical education. He’s now calling for doubling funding for the program, arguing it is vital to growing middle class jobs and ensuring American businesses can hire workers with the right skills.
Is it just me or do all three of these US Senate candidates appear to be taking very safe, even boring paths?
[I had to make some edits of this post, but I have a Zoom in a few minutes and don’t have time to explain until later.]
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 10:48 am
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the party appears to have no marquee candidates waiting in the wings.
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Between Dabrowski and Mendrick, the goal on the republican side seems to be to break the Darren Bailey record for how fast the election will be called for JB on election night.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 10:56 am
==held the seat for more than 40 years==
Not quite. Are they conflating Durbin’s House and Senate years for that figure?
Comment by Linus Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 10:58 am
===Is it just me or do all three of these US Senate candidates appear to be taking very safe, even boring paths?===
It isn’t just you, but the good news for our Senate candidates is that since none of them have decided to run a campaign centered around big issues or policy positions — like the incredibly popular single payer — none of them have the advantage of elevating their profile by being something other than a candidate running on their personality.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 11:04 am
The 47th Ward Dems endorsement seems like a fairly big deal for Biss. It should give him some more votes in the Chicago parts of the district.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 11:11 am
===seems like a fairly big deal for Biss===
Not a whole lotta precincts in the district, tho.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 11:16 am
==My district is urban, suburban and rural.==
That’s not the bragging point you think it is, Robin.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 11:26 am
===endorsed by Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Democrats from across Proviso Township.===
Again mentioning the folks that just got their $40 million dollar sports complex paid for by the State isn’t something I would do, but maybe I am more cautious about creating obvious negative hits that are difficult to defend for things that already had negative press associated with them and is still pretty hard to defend.
Anyone else get millions of dollars for their pet projects and then go on to endorse the Lt. Governor?
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 11:26 am
They all are playing it safe. It is like they are running to be Durbin not just replace him
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 11:33 am
=== It is like they are running to be Durbin not just replace him===
You’re definitely on to something there.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 11:50 am
- It is like they are running to be Durbin not just replace him -
Great observation. The time is now for one of these candidates to set themself apart as a progressive firebrand, and Stratton is in the best position to do so.
Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 12:05 pm
–do all three of these US Senate candidates appear to be taking very safe, even boring paths?–
100%. Someone is going to have to take a chance and carve out an actual position. First one to excite younger people might get the edge. See NYC for examples.
Comment by It's Just a Pill Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 12:30 pm
Re: The U.S. Senate candidates:
I think the focus for these candidates is getting slated by the Cook County Democratic Party. To that end, I think they are trying to secure as many commitments of support as they can without alienating other factions of the party. The Cook County Dems endorsement would provide a huge boost to any of these candidates. I would imagine once slating is over, the candidates will broaden the scope of their campaigns to include messaging for the primary.
Comment by Remember the Alamo II Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 12:39 pm
I’d hate to see Mendoza end her political career trying to fix Chicago. She’s done well as Comptroller, and should stay put.
Comment by thisjustinagain Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 12:44 pm
Ted Dabrowski
LOL
Comment by Morty Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 12:50 pm
Ted would pull some DAn Proftian numbers
Comment by Morty Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 12:55 pm
Usually folks like that are encouraged to run down ballot first
Well there is precedent if you have couple hundred million dollars to fund your campaign you can start your political career as Governor
Comment by Johnny B Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 12:58 pm
Rep Margaret Croke with all kinds of financial interests between her and her husband running for a financial office.
Not sure that’s a good fit.
Comment by Ha Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 2:14 pm
All Democratic candidates for US Senate are missing a CRUCIAL question: What do you stand for ASIDE from stopping Trump? Trump will not be here forever, so at some point, the Democratic Party will need to run on ideas bigger than one person.
Comment by System Reboot Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 2:26 pm
Croke and team have been very loud about her state office aspirations. I wonder how her crypto ties will be looked at should she choose to run.
Comment by Not Your TIme Tuesday, Jul 15, 25 @ 2:31 pm