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The Hotline has updated its rising stars list for Illinois.
# Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole (R): “Very politically savvy,” he was recently appointed the the state GOP central cmte. His only downside: He served in the admin of ex-Gov. George Ryan (R), “which could hurt him.”
# State Rep. Jim Watson (R): An Iraqi war vet, Watson was briefly considered as a running mate by Topinka. “Given his age, he has a long future in the party.” Could be a candidate to replace Reps. Ray LaHood (R) or John Shimkus (R).”
# State Rep. Aaron Shock (R): At age 19, Shock beat the President of his local school board. Now 23, Shock is seeking his second term from heavily Dem Peoria. He faces what will be one of the most expensive re-election bids in the state.
# State Rep. Roger Eddy (R): “Well-liked, respected on both sides of the aisle.” A possible future candidate for Congress.
# Alderman Ed Smith (D): While he’s older than others on the list, Smith just passed a smoking ban in Chicago, over the objections of Mayor Richard Daley (D). He’s currently pondering a county-wide bid for office in ‘08.
# State Sen./Rev. James Meeks (D): A strong ally of Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., (D), Meeks “has become a real powerhouse very quickly in the” legislature. Is considered a possible future mayoral or congressional candidate.
# Alexi Giannoulias (D): A former college basketball star at Boston University, Giannoulias comes from a banking family. Now, at 29, he’s making a run for State Treas.
# Madison Co. State’s Atty Bill Mudge (D): Is considered one of the front-runners when Rep. Jerry Costello (D) retires in IL 12.
Your thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 12:29 am
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I’m think Hotline’s right about Alexi Giannoulias. I’m guessing he may win it this time.
Comment by WurfWhile.com Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 12:38 am
Rahm’s people missed a list to pay to have Tammy put on!
Someone must be asleep at the switch over there.
Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 6:43 am
Not sure if they’re right about John Sullivan retiring in 2006, that is the first I’ve heard of it.
Comment by downstateyp Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 8:20 am
As a republican, I must assume that rising star means upward mobility . . . whether within the caucus to minority leader, Speaker, or President . . . or the ability to run for state-wide office and then move up.
None of these have that kind upward mobility save Giannoulous, because of his $$ and fact he is running for a statewide office from nothing.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 8:36 am
how about State Sen. John Millner, the DuPage Republican…He’s squeaky clean and good law enforcement guy, he could go statewide in the future
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 8:45 am
I know people are excited about Alexi, but having seen him speak recently, I don’t know why. He didn’t say much about what he’d do as treasurer and his pitch essentially boiled down to vote for me because I’ve given lots to charity and Obama and Jesse are supporting me. I’m willing to be proven wrong, but so far…
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 8:58 am
I like this list. What the state GOP needs is new blood, and by that I mean elected officials and staff, and the only way that’ll happen is if JBT loses.
Comment by Krezler Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 9:03 am
I honestly do not understand the buzz with Alexi G for Treasurer. If his credentials are so great why did he not attend the state slatemaking session? The Democratic state ticket is trying to achieve some balance by including a non Cook County candidate. I anticipate Alexi G criticizing Paul M as pro life. Abortion stances are irrelevant in the Treasurer’s office job description. Why doesn’t Alexi G run for City of Chicago treasurer along with Jesse J Jr for Mayor of Chicago. I predict they would both lose.
Comment by Fouts Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 9:30 am
Alexi G was a basketball star? Not according to this:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/men/stats/1998/ban/all_by_steals.html
Comment by star? Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 9:35 am
I’m sorry Mudge isn’t running against the ethically-challenged Congressman Costello THIS year. Costello’s only opponent in the Democratic Primary (which in the 12th District is tantamount to election) is clearly a finge candidate, who is also not worthy of support. As a result, the Illinois Committee for Honest government must instead issue a “NO ENDORSEMENT” in this race, and the residents of this district must wait another two years to gain a Congressman that they don’t have to be ashamed of.
RANDALL SHERMAN
Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Comment by Randall Sherman Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 9:37 am
I think the rising stars of both parties are those who are currently not elected officials. Instead of those elected’s that are paying their dues and spending decades in the state legislature, watch out for those in the private sector who make a big run at a statewide or federal office to make a splash.
However, gov’t is not attracting quality candidates these days because many believe it is not worth it.
Comment by IL Predictor Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 10:29 am
I couldn’t agree more with the Brad Cole pick. The guy is a total firecracker. The Ryan factor is minimal - Cole has shown himself to be far above the old guard thinking that is literally sinking the state GOP. Dare I say it, he’s progessive while maintianing the core values of promoting the common good, seriously - look what he’s done with the city of Carbondale in a matter of three years. He took the med-mal issue by the horns, he has created programs that wreak of civic responiblity, he’s promoted enivormental issues and business.
Cole is the guy to watch.
Comment by SO ILL Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 10:49 am
People should go check out the stat link that was provided about Alexi’s college hoops. I, and a lot of people who I have spoken with, thought that it was silly to lead with being a ‘basketball star’ on his site running for a statewide office,and while I give him credit for making the team, seeing that he averaged 2/10 of a pt. per game, with a season high of SIX points, and that he played 46 minutes all season - his statements are downright disingenuous. He was barely a benchwarmer let alone a standout. This isn’t a talent issue, it’s an integrity issue. VERY disillusioned.
Comment by Damn Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 11:07 am
James Barr (Alderman DeKalb) at 27 he is also a former DeKalb Township Trustee and DeKalb County Board member.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 11:45 am
Not a bad list, but Ed Smith? Rising star? Maybe they are thinking of someone else. Where’s Manny Flores? I thought that guy was on every list he could find.
I’d also add David Miller to that list. He’s a close ally of JJJ and is a very smart guy who didn’t get enough credit from a lot of reporters (including CapFax) for his work on the payday loan legislation.
Comment by Goodbye Napoleon Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 1:23 pm
Alexi G’s stats prove he WAS a basketball star. According to that link above the dude was 100% from the free throw line (4/4) for that entire season. That’s amazing!
Oh no . . .we’re out of paper in this stall. Can someone throw my guy a roll?
Comment by Mike's Used Sport's Section Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 1:29 pm
To go one further on your Ed Smith question — Daley didn’t exactly oppose the smoking ban. Rode the fence - but never put his foot down (does the Hotline think the ban would have passed if Daley didn’t want it to?).
Oh, and the wording on Giannoulias’ web site is “Schoolboy legend.” It goes on to say he was all-star at Latin School, and “helped” BU reach the NCAA tourney (like legislators who vote “yea” “help pass” legislation”).
It makes none of the bold claims you are making.
So, really, it is you who are being disengenuous, not Giannoulias.
Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 1:35 pm
I agree with SO ILL. As a former Saluki, and someone who has kept an eye on Brad Cole’s rise in Republican politics recently, I agree that he is a rising star. Cole was the youngest ever member of the Carbondale City Council and the youngest mayor ever elected in Carbondale.
Carbondale has made huge strides in the 3 years of his administration.
He’s becoming known in the inside political circles as someone who is smart, witty, and a work-horse.
There really is no issue of him working for GHR. Does this mean that everyone who ever worked in this administration is guilty of crimes? Hardly. Not to mention…Cole won Mayor of Carbondale AFTER he worked for GHR.
Comment by SalukiDog Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 2:18 pm
I would really be exciting by the future of James Meeks. Especially for the work he attempting to do for the Far South Side of Chicago. He already took on the power brokers of that area which is about the 9th ward and then the south suburbs.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 2:54 pm
Cole, are you kidding me? The guy’s going to have a tough time winning reelection for a small town mayor’s office that only pays $9,000 a year.
Comment by saluki Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 4:57 pm
I think at least one person might have come on here and mentioned himself as a “rising star.”
Not that there is anything wrong with self-promotion.
Comment by No Comment Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 5:23 pm
The list given by Hotline is truely wrong, How about the real rising stars of Illinois politics,
1. Cook County Commisioner Roberto Maldonado;
2.Cook County Commisioner Claypool;
3.Cook County Commisioner Peraica;
4.Alderman Manny Flores;
5.State Rep. Toni Berrios;
6.State Rep. Cynthia Soto;
7.Attorney General Lisa Madigan;
8.Mayor Daley’s son who is in the Army;
9.State Senator Dan Cronin;
10.Dorothy Brown;
11.Alderman Banks;
12.Alderman Ocasio;
13.State Rep. Skip Saviano(Who should be running the Illinois Republican Party and should replace Tom Cross, because Saviano is the”Madigan” of the Republicans,he is the smartest and shrewdist politican in Illinois only Mike Madigan can match his “game”!
10.And people who will be future stars who are currently not elected officials,such as’
1.Fernando Grillo
2.Dean Martinez
3.Andres Fox
4.Dr. Frank J. Yanez
5.Mike Manzo
6.Bill Hogan
7.Frank Avila
8.Rich Garza
9.Tom Dart
Andy McKenna
These are some great future polticians who will lead Illinois into the future!
Please fellow bloggers,if you agree or disagree give reasons why or why not these individuals should or should not be considered.
Comment by Between the Flags Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 7:01 pm
I wish my parents owned a bank & that I went to private school. Fitzgerald was a son of a banker, but he studied the classics at an Ivy & cut his teeth in the Senate. Alexi is a sweet kid, but come on. Besides….Greeks don’t vote in the primary.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 8:53 pm
I know the political terrain in Southern Illinois pretty well and Brad Cole is a breath of fresh air.
I think he is a straight shooter and when he tells you something it’s the gospel. I’ll bet and give decent odds that C’Dale mayor is far from his last stop on the political trail.
Any takers?
Comment by Jim Muir Tuesday, Jan 24, 06 @ 11:23 pm
Alexi is not a rising star. He is stupid and naive. There is so much about him that people don’t know…it’s all going to come out in the next couple of weeks. Rather incriminating and unethical information
Comment by Deconstructing Circe Wednesday, Jan 25, 06 @ 12:10 am
I thought that Alexi was about to get kicked off the ballot? Some rising star.
Comment by Fearless Freep Wednesday, Jan 25, 06 @ 4:50 pm
I agree thatMeeks is a rising star too bad he doesnt represent African American issues like he should
Comment by demystify Wednesday, Jan 25, 06 @ 8:27 pm
Fearless, Trib and others reported a couple days ago the petition challenge was abandoned in light of the finding at the first level that Alexi had far more than the minumum number. it was doomed from the start, just a combine tactic to distract an independent campaign and waste its money.
Circe, got anything to back that up or just messing around? let’s talk in acouple weeks. Naive yet unethical…right.
Comment by corvax Wednesday, Jan 25, 06 @ 11:49 pm