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* Press release…
The Democratic Party of Illinois today announced that Mary Morrissey has been named its new executive director.
Morrissey previously served as the Democratic Party’s chief operating officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization and helping to elect Democrats to office throughout Illinois in the 2018 general election.
“I am honored to be the new executive director of the Democratic Party in Illinois,” Morrissey said. “Illinois has so many passionate advocates who share the values of the Democratic Party, and I am committed to reaching out to them and people of all backgrounds and beliefs to make a better Illinois.”
Morrissey was unanimously recommended for the position by the four chairs of the search committee that was formed to name a new executive director, which includes all of the state central committeewomen representing the Democratic Party in Illinois. In their recommendation letter, the four committee chairs also recommended they work with the new executive director to help develop a structure and revised mission for the organization.
“I am very pleased that Mary Morrissey will be leading the effort in Illinois to support the policies of the Democratic Party to help improve peoples’ lives across our state,” said Karen Yarbrough, one of the four co-chairs of the executive director search committee. “Mary started at the Democratic Party of Illinois under challenging circumstances, kept operations running and led the party to a statewide sweep last November. She has the leadership we need to keep us moving forward.”
“As President of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association and a Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, I have worked with and seen the effort Mary Morrissey has done to increase collaboration between the state and local party organizations,” said Kristina Zahorik, State Central Committee member from the 14th Congressional District. “Our strong partnership between the two statewide organizations is incredibly important to better communicate and serve voters in communities across Illinois.”
“I am thrilled that Mary Morrissey will continue her work with the Democratic Party as executive director,” said Vivian Robinson, State Central Committee member from the 15th Congressional District. “Mary and I have worked closely together to enhance the reach of the Democratic Party in Southern Illinois, hosting candidate trainings and increasing visibility, and I look forward to working with her to recruit, train and support Democratic candidates and activists leading into the 2020 election.”
As chief operating officer of the Democratic Party, Morrissey increased the state party’s coordination and support for Democratic candidates running in local, legislative, statewide and Congressional campaigns throughout the state. Morrissey engaged and mobilized voters throughout the state against dangerous policies out of the White House, improved the Party’s communications and organized candidate trainings.
“Mary Morrissey brings a lifetime of work supporting and advocating for the principles and ideals of the Democratic Party,” said Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. “This appointment reflects a continued commitment to creating a stronger and better culture in the Democratic Party throughout Illinois.”
Morrissey was also recommended for the post by Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, who served as interim executive director of the organization in the lead up to the 2018 election.
“After working closely with Mary last year to strengthen the Democratic Party of Illinois and elect candidates statewide, I am confident she is the best choice to serve as the party’s new executive director,” Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell said. “At the party and as a legislator, I witnessed firsthand Mary’s commitment to enacting the policies that reflect the values of the Democratic Party and look forward to seeing how she will continue advancing this important work as executive director.”
Prior to joining the Democratic Party of Illinois, Morrissey served for eight years as deputy chief of staff for policy and legislative affairs for former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. She led the attorney general’s legislative agenda in the General Assembly, including negotiating landmark laws to improve the response of Illinois law enforcement to sexual assault survivors.
Morrissey previously served as political director and campaign manager for former Attorney General Madigan’s 2010 successful re-election campaign. Morrissey also previously operated her own consulting firm developing advocacy campaigns for a variety of national and state organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, Cover the Uninsured Week, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Illinois Pharmacists Association. Morrissey began her career in the Legislative Staff Internship Program and Illinois House Democratic staff and is a veteran of many county, legislative and statewide campaigns.
She is top notch without a doubt. But she’s also a solidly loyal Madigan person, so it seems MJM is regaining full control of the party apparatus.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 1:44 pm
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Rich, I slightly disagree with your statement. Mary is one of the most ethically sound individuals I’ve known in this business. She may have some loyalty to the Speaker, but her first priority is and will always be democratic beliefs and values. Since taking over last summer she has changed the place and she is an excellent pick to lead the Democratic Party.
Comment by YoYa Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 1:50 pm
“She is top notch without a doubt.”
That’s all that needs to be said.
Comment by Tell Me Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 1:55 pm
===She may have some loyalty to the Speaker===
I really do love Mary, but I stopped reading your comment after that.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 1:56 pm
Rich, that was hilarious.
Loyalty and integrity do not have to be mutually exclusive, despite what some members of the City Council up in Chicago seem to think.
“Loyalty” isn’t refusing to wear a wire on your colleagues when the feds come knocking at your door.
“Loyalty” is never doing anything that would place your colleagues in harm’s way by giving the feds a reason to knock on your door in the first place.
Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 2:03 pm
===Loyalty and integrity do not have to be mutually exclusive===
And you assumed I said that… why?
Jeez, you Madiganites really need to take a breath.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 2:08 pm
How does “won’t get fooled again” by the WHO end again?
Comment by Iggy Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 2:18 pm
Mary’s the best
Comment by Feeder pig Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 2:18 pm
good person. close to Filan.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 2:23 pm
Like Christan Mitchell wasn’t fully loyal to MJM?
Comment by Token Conservative Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 2:43 pm
===Like Christan Mitchell wasn’t fully loyal===
He was put in there by the Pritzker people. Also, have you ever met Christian?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 2:53 pm
“”I really do love Mary,”"
Yep
Comment by walker Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 3:06 pm
Mary is first rate. Great choice.
Comment by Suburbanon Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 3:31 pm
Like we didn’t see this coming. She may have a good rep and will be good at what she does, but this is a consolidation of Madigan’s control over the party again.
Comment by Shytown Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 3:46 pm
Mary is a super savvy political operative of the highest integrity who is still driven by a deeply-held belief you can make the world a better through politics and government. She’ll be great at keeping Democrats working together under a big tent. We’re lucky to have her in this role.
Comment by siopm1076 Friday, Feb 15, 19 @ 3:55 pm