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* HuffPost…
Former Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean — known as one of Wall Street’s favorite Democrats during her first tenure in Congress — announced last week she’s running for her old seat in suburban Illinois, joining a Democratic primary contest with nine other candidates.
The crowded field in the state’s 8th Congressional District to replace Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running for Senate, reflects Democratic optimism about retaking control of the House of Representatives and checking President Donald Trump’s power in 2027. The district is safely Democratic. […]
Dan Tully, one of the other Democrats running for the seat, said Bean’s entry “clarifies” the race.
“I was in grade school when she was first elected, and now I am an attorney, veteran and a former civil servant, and I’m running for Congress because we’re all still living with the consequences of the actions and inactions of the politicians of the past – including the politicians of the past who let the perpetrators of the financial crisis off the hook, which led to the conditions for the rise of Donald Trump,” Tully told HuffPost.
* Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison…
Today, Cook County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District Kevin Morrison and local leaders released the following statements in response to former Rep. Melissa Bean entering the race:
“The American Dream is slipping through our grasp, and a corrupt Congress has failed the middle class by giving tax breaks to billionaires at the expense of everyone, especially our hard-working families,” said Kevin Morrison. “I’ve been doing the work in our communities to fight for Main Street, not Wall Street. That’s why I’ve been endorsed by more than 150 local and national leaders who know I have what it takes to make the American Dream accessible to all once again.” […]
“We cannot move the Democratic Party or our country forward by looking backward. In Congress, former Rep. Melissa Bean indicated she was opposed to same-sex marriage and simply cannot be trusted to stand up for the LGBTQ+ community,” said State Representative Kelly Cassidy. “At a time when our rights are under attack at levels we haven’t seen in decades, the last thing we need is someone who hesitated to step up for us when we needed her. My support for any candidate is based on what they’ve done to show me they’re ready for the fight ahead. Kevin Morrison is the fighter we need at this urgent moment.”
* Equality PAC endorsed Morrison this morning…
Today, Equality PAC announced the endorsement of Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who is running to represent Illinois 8th Congressional District. He is running to succeed Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is retiring to run for Senate.
“Commissioner Kevin Morrison has built a strong record of delivering results for the people of Cook County — from lowering health care costs and expanding access to mental health services, to supporting small businesses and strengthening local economies,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “He has worked to make government more efficient and accountable, while ensuring communities have the resources they need to thrive. As the first openly gay man elected to the Cook County Board, Kevin has already made history, and now he is ready to bring that same trailblazing leadership and dedication to Congress. Kevin understands the everyday challenges families face and will be a tireless advocate for lowering costs, protecting freedoms, investing in infrastructure, and creating more opportunities for working families. Equality PAC is proud to endorse Kevin as a proven leader who has delivered at the local level and will fight every day for his district and for the country.”
* Moving to the 9th Congressional District, where two former aldermen are backing Sen. Laura Fine…
I’m proud to announce the endorsements of two trusted and respected community leaders: Former Evanston Alds. Peter Braithwaite and Don Wilson! 🙌
Their support is a testament to my proven commitment to public service, progressive values, and getting real results for our… pic.twitter.com/z0ojUmeOZx— Laura Fine for Congress (@laurafineforIL9) September 14, 2025
More from Evanston Now…
After three terms on the council, Wilson lost reelection in a primary in 2021 to Ald. Jonathan Nieuwsma and Diane Goldring, with Nieuwsma winning the municipal election that April.
After serving 11 years in office, Braithwaite resigned from the council in July 2022 and took a job at Northwestern University, leading to Mayor Daniel Biss’ appointment of Ald. Krissie Harris.
Wilson publicly supported Jeff Boarini earlier this year in his run against Biss for mayor. Fine supported Biss in his mayoral reelection. […]
One of her top opponents, Biss, has earned an endorsement from five current City Council members — Alds. Bobby Burns, Juan Geracaris, Krissie Harris, Shawn Iles and Jonathan Nieuwsma — along with former Alds. Eleanor Revelle, Jane Grover and Robin Rue Simmons and former mayors Jay Lytle and Liz Tisdahl.
Braithwaite and Wilson are the first former Evanston legislators to support Fine’s campaign.
* Bushra Amiwala announced Northside Democracy for America has endorsed her for the 9th CD…
This is huge. I’m honored to earn the endorsement from Northside Democracy for America.
NDFA is Chicago’s longest-standing democratic organization advancing progressive, grassroots and local principles for the past 30+ years.
It’s gratifying to see their validation of my… pic.twitter.com/Yj96twqqG8
— Bushra Amiwala (@bushraamiwala) September 11, 2025
* Evanston Now | Candidates face ICE agents in Broadview: Two congressional candidates — Kat Abughazaleh and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss — joined a group of protesters outside a Department of Homeland Security processing facility in Broadview Friday morning as ICE raids ramp up in Illinois. The agents, armed with tear gas canisters and rifles, repeatedly encroached on the protesters throughout the morning to allow vehicles to pass, leading to one agent physically shoving Biss back about three feet and others pulling Abughazaleh from the ground, scraping her knees.
* WGLT | Young Democrat Montez Soliz to challenge incumbent Eric Sorensen in 17th District primary: He is critical of Sorensen on immigration issues. Soliz said when ICE came to Rockford a couple months ago, he had family and friends who are DACA recipients calling him crying and afraid. “And to have a representative that has been quiet or on the sidelines or addressing the situation too late, that really rubbed me the wrong way. And so, for me I think that was the final nail in the coffin,” said Soliz. “We shouldn’t have to be anointed to lead when we could just be leaders ourselves.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 10:28 am
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===“I was in grade school when she was first elected, and now I am an attorney, veteran and a former civil servant,
This is a personal attack.
Bean isn’t my first choice, but everyone can run.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 10:42 am
Amiwala for House of Represenatitives–because attention to detaile counts.
Comment by Barnaby Wilde Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 10:51 am
- but everyone can run. -
What are her opponents supposed to do, endorse her?
Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 10:55 am
===What are her opponents supposed to do, endorse her?
No, run against her record. I don’t think it’s that hard given the current district.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:02 am
Dan Tully is full of horsefeathers - of all the things contributing to Trump’s win in 2016, insufficiently “punishing’ the financial industry for the 2006 recession wasn’t one of them.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:10 am
==NDFA is Chicago’s longest-standing democratic organization advancing progressive, grassroots and local principles for the past 30+ years==
Yet only has $6,300 in their PAC account and its most recent contribution over $1,000 came from Samantha Steele.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:13 am
Also, Kelly Cassidy made similar comments the other day on here and I think are very relevant given she was an activist on LGBTQ issues at the time. That carries a lot of weight with me and I think a lot of Democrats in the current environment.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:20 am
- No, run against her record. -
Read the rest of the statement.
Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:25 am
EB, I have to say I’m not sure what I said that upset you? That everyone can run?
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:30 am
KC is forgetting one flaw in her argument (and I like Kevin and Melissa) - LOOK AT THE DISTRICT IN 2010!
She barely held it and lost it.
I am as pro marriage equality as I can be as an ally but prospective is key here..
KC - you are great but not every area is East Rogers Park or Edgewater.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:33 am
Melissa Bean was the only type of Democrat who could have won back then. Having her was still much better than the man she replaced, Phil Crane. Not only was he opposed to LGBTQ rights but also everything else Democrats stand for. He was Mr GOP.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:36 am
Crane was so far to the right that he ran for president in 1980 against Ronald Reagan because he viewed Reagan as insufficiently conservative. Let that sink in.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:48 am
== Let that sink in.
The portrayal in Mrs. America was very good and helped understand that he was quite dashing back in the day (and hit on Schlafly which is a choice).
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:51 am
===but not every area is East Rogers Park or Edgewater===
Except we’re not talking about a general election here. We’re talking about a Democratic primary.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 11:57 am
…And even under the previous map, Sanders beat Clinton by 5.5 points in 2016.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 12:03 pm
===LOOK AT THE DISTRICT IN 2010!
The current district is a safe Democratic seat so all of that is fine but what does she bring to a safe Democratic seat?
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Sep 16, 25 @ 12:05 pm