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* The Pritzker campaign’s announcement of this endorsement was the usual stuff. But Sen. Andy Manar sent this out to his e-mail list today, and I thought you might like to see it…
Illinois needs a new direction, the people of the 48th Senate district need a new direction, Downstate Illinois needs a new direction.
And right now more than ever, Illinois needs a steady hand at the wheel, someone that can reform state government and build the trust and leadership that are required to make state government work for working people. And I believe JB Pritzker is the right man for this job and I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy for Governor.
JB Pritzker is committed to building the downstate economy in places that have been forgotten by Bruce Rauner. Bruce Rauner pays nothing but lip service to middle-class families living in Downstate Illinois while his economic policies are punishing their pocketbooks. Bruce Rauner takes Downstate voters for granted as evidenced by his attire. I know that JB Pritzker is committed to creating jobs in small towns and rural counties. In Gillespie, I watched JB listen to a constituent that has struggled to find employment. JB will remember him when decisions have to be made. I’ve heard him listen to workers in Decatur and commit to protecting their right to collectively bargain. He is committed to building the Downstate economy and he has laid out very specific plans to do so.
Speaking of building, JB Pritzker is committed to building the democratic party in Downstate Illinois. Why is that important? Because his strategy for governing I believe will be reflective of the statewide strategy that he has set into motion in his campaign from day one. He will be a Governor for all of the State and won’t be a governor that uses the office to divide the state to advance a political agenda. That is something that I welcome and that’s a very big reason why I’m standing here today. He is committed to all 102 counties in the State of Illinois.
JB Pritzker is a listener. And for me that would be a welcome change in the Governor’s office—someone that actually listens, someone that seeks to understand, someone that wakes up every day to work with others to set into motion positive change, someone that builds consensus, someone that can bring Illinois together—that’s what we need today in our State.
And finally, perhaps the issue that he and I have discussed the most is the importance of continuing our public investment in public education, FIRST in the least funded schools in Illinois. I’ve pushed JB, I’ve pushed him hard in our conversations not because I’m pushy but because I didn’t spend five years of my life fighting for reform only to watch it be pushed aside or dismantled a year or two from now. JB views the issue of equity in public education the same way that I do. And I’ve come to appreciate that it is a deeply held opinion that he has. We share many common interests, but there is no greater common interest than our shared desire to give every child in Illinois an equal shot at life and that starts by attacking poverty in the public-school classroom. Yes, it took five years to successfully indict the system that stacked the deck against children living in poverty. Yes, that system today has now been erased. Yes, a whole lot of folks are taking credit for things that they opposed for years. But what I’m most interested in is this: Governor JB Pritzker will be a partner to me to make sure we stay true to our promise of educational equity for all kids in the smallest of towns, in the toughest of neighborhoods, JB Prtizker will be fighting that fight with me when he’s in the Governor’s office.
We’ve got so many challenges in the State of Illinois. JB and I are ready to unite Illinois and finally move our state forward.
JB Pritzker is going to fix Illinois. And I’m going help him win this election and get the job done.
* Meanwhile, I neglected to post this endorsement the other day, so here it is…
Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of State Senator Don Harmon.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Daniel is ready on day one to be governor and to lead our state in the years ahead,” said Don Harmon. “We need a governor who is committed to reforming our government at its core—someone who will change the way we raise revenue and run elections to ensure our state supports middle-class families like his own. We need a transformational leader, and that’s Daniel.
“As we’ve worked together in the Senate, from introducing a constitutional amendment to allow for a fair income tax to creating a small donor matching plan to get big money out of politics, I’ve always admired Daniel’s commitment to organizing. He’s not introducing bills for the headline, or to wrap up a quick accomplishment for the next election cycle—he’s in this for the long haul and understands how to mobilize the support necessary to win meaningful reforms for working families. It’s been a pleasure to work with Daniel in the Senate, and I know our state will benefit immensely from his passion, expertise, and long-term vision when he’s governor.”
“It’s an honor to receive Don’s endorsement,” said Daniel Biss. “For years, Don has been a trusted friend and mentor as well as a crucial partner in building campaign finance, criminal justice, and tax systems that support middle-class and working families. Don’s leadership and dedication is especially evident in his long-standing advocacy for a progressive income tax. Don has shown me the importance of pushing the envelope on what is politically possible and has modeled the persistence necessary to build a system that works for the rest of us. It’s been an honor to work with Don in the legislature, and I look forward to his leadership, friendship, and guidance on the campaign trail and when I’m governor.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 12:37 pm
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Has ILGOP responded? “Madigan Puppet endorses Madigan Puppet” or something to that effect.
Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 12:40 pm
The Harmon pick up is a big one for Biss but I think Manar’s is more important. People LOVE Andy down there - the guy is a fighter and a statesman.
Comment by The Muse Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 12:40 pm
Let’s give JB a run for his money, pun intended…
Let’s have a great contest Dems…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Yep, Manar’s a big feather in JB’s cap.
Comment by Dome Gnome Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 1:04 pm
Um, no one cares. Very few people know who Manar is.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 1:34 pm
JB “building the democratic party” = buying endorsements from party leaders
Comment by RP_Progressive Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 1:44 pm
Ron, I don’t know who you are either.
Comment by Stark Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 1:49 pm
Stark, no one cares who Manar endorses. Whether or not you know me is irrelevant.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 1:54 pm
===no one cares who Manar endorses===
Try to get out of your Loop bubble.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 1:56 pm
Loop bubble? I travel extensively around the country and the world. Rural Illinois is the bubble.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 2:07 pm
= I travel extensively around the country and the world=
Cool story man!!!….
Manar was a force for education reform that greatly effected downstate communities. He’s on TV a lot down there and people know the guy’s name. People in small, rural towns in central and southern Illinois know who their state reps and state senators are - unlike most folks in the Collar and in Cook. Andy gives Pritzker some downstate street cred.
Comment by The Muse Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 2:31 pm
==Rural Illinois is the bubble.==
Your bashing of anything outside of Chicago is getting old . . . mostly because you don’t have any idea what you are talking about.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 2:41 pm
Ok, 4 people care about Manar’s endorsement.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 2:50 pm
–I travel extensively around the country and the world.–
Your mom’s the best. Still, you’re obviously a lonely and troubled child, seeking attention in the worst way.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 2:52 pm
Demoralized, the Illinois economy is driven by Chicago. The rest of the state corn and soybeans and former factories.
I wish Illinois farms would raise game animals like pheasant, rabbit, quail, guinea fowl. I would go out of my way to buy it.
I do buy Ho Ka turkeys for thanksgiving every year. Never had a better turkey.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 2:53 pm
==The rest of the state corn and soybeans==
You say that like it’s a bad thing. Illinois is the second largest exporter of soybeans and grain in the United States.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:00 pm
It’s not bad, it just does very little for the state.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:02 pm
==it just does very little for the state.==
You keep telling yourself that. It’s blatantly obvious you know nothing about the state
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:04 pm
“JB Pritzker is going to fix Illinois.”
Insert plumbing joke here.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:05 pm
You can hate on Manar all you want. But Downstate voters, downstate press, and downstate elected officials of both parties look to him for leadership. He’s a closer. There is no denying that.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:05 pm
Agriculture makes up less than 1% of Illinois’ GSP.
Comment by Ron Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:12 pm
==Very few people know who Manar is.==
That’s true statewide, but he’s beloved by Central IL Dems. More to the point, he’s *organized*. He has an operation that can help carry JB’s message through March.
I mean, sure, it’s not Jesse White, if only because Jesse White has *already endorsed* Pritzker. But it’s an extremely useful endorsement.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Other than the obvious answer that he is not Bruce Rauner, what do downstate democrats have in common with JB Pritzker?
Also, for those of you who don’t think downstate matters in the democratic primary, I have two words for you…Paul Vallas.
Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:30 pm
==what do downstate democrats have in common with JB Pritzker?==
Policy preferences. We want jobs, and his jobs plan- infrastructure and small business hubs in downstate communities- sounds worth a try.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 3:33 pm
“The Harmon pick up is a big one for Biss but I think Manar’s is more important.”
When Harmon wrote the $30,000 check to Biss back in June it was pretty obvious he was endorsing him so not exactly new news.
Comment by Anon0091 Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 4:28 pm
==what do downstate democrats have in common with JB Pritzker?==
We’re both tired of phony businessmen from Winnetka who speak with forked tongues and like to play dress-up as bikers and/or farmers?
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 4:49 pm
Manar is an asset downstate. Wish he would have considered running for Governor
Comment by Jaxon Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 8:16 pm
Lucky I have google. Now I know who Mandy Manar is.
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 9:38 pm
It’s interesting that an endorsement for Governer garners more of a conversation regarding the visibility and name recognition of the person doing the endorsee.
As a Macoupin resident that regularly tells a story that mentions Manar in it, you would be surprised how many eyes glaze over while trying to put a face with the name. I regularly follow up by mentioning he’s our state senator whose going to save education which more often than not ‘clicks’ for them.
But he’s huuuuuuge, like embarrassingly huge, for anyone with a connection to a Democrat in local politics. He’s practically worshipped by the majority of them and that’s going to help Pritzker, but your avaerage joe down here that’s ‘red’.
Basically, he’s got enough power through his Chicago friends to run the drive for the education reform touchdown, but not well known enough for anyone to fix the embellishments on his Wikipedia page.
Comment by Macoupin Manny Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 10:43 pm
“but your average joe down here that’s ‘red’ probably wouldn’t automatically recognize his name”
Comment by Macoupin Manny Thursday, Nov 9, 17 @ 8:53 am