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* Brenden Moore looks at a potential Rodney Davis gubernatorial bid…
There is a purpose for Davis wading into Illinois state politics — it’s a trial balloon as he explores a possible run for governor in 2022 against Pritzker, who has all but declared his intent to seek a second term.
“He is kicking the tires as being a very political person,” said one longtime Illinois GOP political operative regarding Davis. “But, I think, as with everybody in the Republican Party, they’re looking to see what Ken Griffin is going to do. And Ken Griffin is obviously invested in the outcome of this race.”
Many believe Griffin is looking to carry over his 2020 success to the 2022 governor’s race, where any candidate challenging billionaire Pritzker would be at an immediate financial disadvantage. […]
“His decision on what he would run for is kind of, dependent on redistricting and the timetable for that,” said Davis spokesman Aaron DeGroot. “So, I guess it’s just kind of a wait and see at this point.”
Seems sorta crass. “I need a job” isn’t a great reason for running for something.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 9:54 am
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Classic Kinsleyan Gaffe - inadvertently (or thoughtlessly) tell the truth. And yea, hell of a campaign slogan. “Vote Davis - he needs a job”
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:02 am
=== But, I think, as with everybody in the Republican Party, they’re looking to see what Ken Griffin is going to do. ===
To be saying this out loud in such a matter of fact way - The ILGOP is so far gone at this point, it’s simply unrecoverable.
Let me know when they get back to listening to what their constituents want and maybe one day I would vote for another republican based on their stance and actions on the issues, and not based on who is funding them.
At the local level, Tom Cross was the last republican I ever cast a vote for. He might not have been the best in every aspect, but he was better that his democratic contender at the time - at least locally.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:02 am
Meh, another “small-government” Republican trying to figure out a way to keep their snout in the public trough.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:04 am
Is Pritzker really that vulnerable? What can be do in the next year and a half to lose this race? I get Davis would be formidable right now cuz he has w moderate reputation, but voters will soon know he voted for Trump Tax Cuts, against the Equality Act, is anti-choice, has an A rating from the NRA, and said yes to repealing the ACÁ. I’m sure Pritzker campaign will make sure suburbanites will know his record.
Comment by IlliniVoter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:04 am
I guess we’ll get to find out if Ken Griffin or Donald Trump moves more votes in the Illinois Republican primary. Smart money is on Trump, unless there are too many con artists splitting the vote.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:05 am
Congressional redistricting has been pushed back due to the Census delay, so how much time would Davis (or anyone else affected by redistricting) have to organize a run for governor?
Someone who is serious about getting elected in 15 months should be running now.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:07 am
Also, If Rodney appeals to Republican primary voters as Tom Butler and Pat Brady are saying then why is taking on Mary Miller such a big challenge. Rodney has seniority and will be a committee chair assuming GOP win in 2022. It’s obviously a bigger challenge to appeal to crazies first then try to moderate without losing crazies.
Comment by IlliniVoter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:11 am
“Is Pritzker really that vulnerable?”
Not particularly. But you never know so you run like you’re ten points behind all the way to the finish line. But wait, I thought he wasn’t sure he was running for re-election. /s
Comment by Southern Skeptic Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:11 am
===2020 success===
LOL
The Fair Tax win cost over $600+ million loopholes to close
The Kilbride win cost a remapping that *could* lean just as easily to a 5-2 Democratic majority split as to a 4-3 coin flip.
Rodney Davis is so scared of Mary Miller, he’s waiting to see which job he can try to have… selfishly.
===Seems sorta crass. “I need a job” isn’t a great reason for running for something.===
Those wins seems ridiculous now.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:13 am
Waiting to see if he’ll have a job next year or will need to hand it off to Rep. Miller…not exactly a rallying cry.
“But, I think, as with everybody in the Republican Party, they’re looking to see what Ken Griffin is going to do.”
Why even have a primary if this guy is the one carrying this hollow shell of a party?
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:14 am
“Many believe Griffin is looking to carry over his 2020 success to the 2022 governor’s race…”
Perhaps Griffy should use the same team, convicted Ex-Eongressman LaHood, bumbly Noland and Trump Justice Dept. and see how it goes
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:18 am
Rodney looking to pad out that existing Tier One pension.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:18 am
“I need a job”
But for many in IL politics, “my friends/relatives need a job” seems to be quite a motivating factor.
Comment by Fav Human Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:19 am
What will he do if he’s not mapped with anyone else in the new map, but instead his district becomes far flung? Such as taking over parts of LaHood, Kinzinger, and even portions of Bustos’ current territories? Will he stay (in Congress) or will he go (run for Governor)?
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:24 am
Reminds me of The Ladykillers remake-
Vote for Rodney Davis.
He’s too old to go to work now.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:27 am
I wonder how he’ll explain his decision to run for governor more than a year from now. Will he just say how he wants to bring what he has done in Congress to Illinois? Will he just say Pritzker is just disastrous for IL and how I will fix it like Bruce? Just pack up your bags, relax for a year, move down to Florida , and make bank as a lobbyist.
Comment by IlliniVoter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:32 am
Translated message to Dems:
Gimme a good district or I run for Governor.
Plus, you could end up with Marjorie, er Mary Miller permanently.
Comment by Medvale School for the Gifted. Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:43 am
Medvale, but do the Dems care?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:45 am
I don’t know about you, but I find that kind of heartfelt dedication to public service inspiring. /s
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:47 am
Sounds like Davis doesn’t want to face Miller for fear that he won’t be seen as Trumpian enough. Of course he’ll have the opposite problem in dealing with moderate and suburban voters.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:57 am
Great question, Rich.
Rodney has proven himself resilient, and now in his fifth term, after surviving some bruising battles.
He has some Trump baggage, but his best shot, if he survives a primary, would be in a mid-term presidential year.
Not sure who else the Rs really have (besides Darren).
So, I think the Ds should not ignore him too much while he makes noise to get a reaction.
Comment by Medvale School for the Gifted. Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:58 am
Personally, I am looking for a law and order Governor. Not sure Davis is the guy. JB sure isn’t.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 10:58 am
=== He has some Trump baggage===
LOL
Davis refused to impeach Trump after inciting an insurrection. If that’s baggage, boy, at $300,000 a day, every day, reminding folks Davis supported Trump in TWO impeachment votes… statewide…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:01 am
I don’t see how awaiting to see how the field unfolds and redistricting unfolds as “I need a job”. It seems to be factors that all politicians use to decide which office they choose to seek. I doubt if the Congressman would have difficulty finding employment if he decided his years of public service were at an end or if the voters decided that for you. Guess that perspective makes for a less appealing story.
Comment by Eastside Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:04 am
‘TWO impeachment votes’:
If Davis were to win the primary, the impeachment votes may not mean so much to independent voters in a mid-term term election. He sure did not seem to have trouble getting re-elected in a marginal district with Biden at the top of the ticket.
Of course, he did ‘run against Madigan’ in his last race, so there’s that.
Comment by Medvale School for the Gifted. Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:11 am
Perhaps Griffy could read this https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/06/andrew-yang-mayor-race-postmortem while he builds his team.
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:12 am
Yes, Rodney won five times in the 13th but let’s look under the hood. Davis’ best areas have always been the rural counties, Macon County, and Metro-East suburbs. The latter two have been trending GOP. Dems are strongest in Champaign-Urbana, Springfield, and BloNo. Illinois is a metropolitan used state. To win, Rodney needs to appeal to people outside his home base in the rurals and white working class suburbs. That means he has to at least get 20% in Chicago alone and win the Collars by large margin. Thing is collars are moving left like Springfield and BloNo. It will be a difficult balancing act for sure.
Comment by 2022 Voter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:12 am
=== If Davis were to win the primary===
… where he will remind primary voters of *his* support of Trump. Can’t win in the cult without a homage to the cult leader. Davis ain’t Kinzinger.
===… may not mean so much to independent voters in a mid-term term election===
This is wishful thinking in a couple fronts;
How did Trump do with independent voters in Illinois?
You think Trump is going to stay quiet in 2022?
You think Cook and the collars which are trending “non-Trump” from the past will now forget?
This is good stuff here…
===That means he has to at least get 20% in Chicago alone and win the Collars by large margin. Thing is collars are moving left like Springfield and BloNo. It will be a difficult balancing act for sure.===
Voting… twice… not to impeach… it’ll matter as long as Trump sucks the oxygen from allowing the GOP to “move on”.
===He sure did not seem to have trouble getting re-elected in a marginal district with Biden at the top of the ticket.===
Rodney embraced Trump, and fought Madigan. Both sticky wickets moving forward.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:25 am
=== I don’t see how awaiting to see how the field unfolds and redistricting unfolds as “I need a job”. It seems to be factors that all politicians use to decide which office they choose to seek.===
Here’s the rub… and the Spokesperson makes the point too… Griffin… and the remap.
Davis being afraid of Mary Miller and running statewide only makes sense if Davis has “Griffin Money”
It’s not that Davis is being at all shrewd, calculating a next political adventure, it’s about securing a job… easiest.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:28 am
===dependent on redistricting===
If this is an implied threat to the Dems, it isn’t much of one. Even if Davis is the least objectionable GOP candidate, that isn’t saying much. He faces very strong headwinds in money, his policies, and his voting record. I suspect that some people have convinced themselves that JB is vulnerable because a loud minority (who never voted for him anyway) remains upset. Dems seem generally pleased with most aspects, and willing to ignore or forgive his failures.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:33 am
Trump has said he will help campaign for the GOP, so we probably won’t be saying bye bye to him soon. Imagine Donald Trump leaving a message telling supporters to vote for Rodney Davis to fix Illinois’ high crime, rising taxes, and sancturary cities. That alone would energize many Dems to vote against Davis.
I live almost right next to IL 13 and the final days of the campaign was about how Betsy took Madigan’s money and how she’ll be beholden to Madigan. He can’t be just say Fire Pritzker without offering a way better alternative for Illinois for the next four years. I don’t think voters will suddenly want a switch while there are still structural issues to fix.
Comment by No on Trump Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:34 am
=JB is vulnerable because a loud minority (who never voted for him anyway) remains upset.=
This is it in a nutshell. There’s very little evidence that Pritzker has lost meaningful support from those that elected him. That could change in the next 18 months or so. But absent that I can’t see anybody in this crop that’s capable of taking him out.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:47 am
Miller and Davis are going to find themselves…Trumped.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 11:56 am
Davis ain’t Kinzinger
Are you actually arguing Kinzinger is more popular with Republican voters than Davis?
For some reason Republican primary voters aren’t wild about Democrats favorite Republican
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:06 pm
===very little evidence that Pritzker has lost meaningful support from those that elected him===
Maybe. But there is evidence that his opposition has hardened to a diamond-like quality.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:23 pm
Even if Davis and Miller are in the same district Congress is still the easier path for Davis. For either office Davis would face a bruising primary against the hardcore Trump faction. However the general in a deep red Congressional district would be a relative cakewalk, while a gubernatorial race against a deep pocketed Pritzker with a recovering economy would be brutal.
Comment by Independent Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:28 pm
=== evidence that his opposition has hardened to a diamond-like quality===
In what ways?
Comment by Just Wonderinf Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:29 pm
=== Are you actually arguing Kinzinger is more popular with Republican voters than Davis?===
Your bot-ness needs a reboot or learn to read for comprehension
=== === If Davis were to win the primary===
… where he will remind primary voters of *his* support of Trump. Can’t win in the cult without a homage to the cult leader. Davis ain’t Kinzinger.
===… may not mean so much to independent voters in a mid-term term election===
This is wishful thinking in a couple fronts;
How did Trump do with independent voters in Illinois?===
Davis is likely more popular with Trumpkins than Kinzinger… and rubbing in a primary where Davis will remind Trumpkins he (Davis) was with Trump… Davis is no Kinzinger, as independents will see Davis as no Kinzinger too.
===For some reason Republican primary voters aren’t wild about Democrats favorite Republican===
For a bit who tries often to tell me they don’t support Trump, this sounds like someone who not only embraces Trump, but sees the cult’s actions as good in a primary.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:29 pm
=== Even if Davis and Miller are in the same district Congress is still the easier path for Davis. For either office Davis would face a bruising primary against the hardcore Trump faction.===
Gotta *win* that primary as Miller brings in and celebrates Marjorie Taylor Greene
Bruising would be Davis’ best scenario. Swamped by Q’s and conspiracy theorists …is the fear… and why Davis fears Miller.
If Davis didn’t fear Miller he’d already announce for another term.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:33 pm
‘This is wishful thinking on a couple of fronts.’
Some thoughts:
Agreed that if Trump were to weigh in for Rodney, that would not serve him well. But Trump may also be much weaker by then due to potential legal woes.
In a state where less than 50% are not fully vaccinated because many are led astray, it is evident that facts do not matter to a large percentage of people.
JB should be applauded for his efforts on fighting COVID because his efforts have saved lives. But in a non-presidential election year where facts no longer matter, all bets are off, it seems to me.
One major issue Rodney would face is that, unlike Edgar and Thompson, he is solidly pro-life.
Comment by Medvale School for the Gifted. Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:36 pm
With an opponent like Bailey, JB can win over the suburban voters who supported Rauner in 2018. Rodney being seen as more moderate may add a wrinkle to that, but JB has the money to blast the suburbs with ads tying Rodney to Trump. Just as the GOP labels every Dem a socialist, JB and Dems can label any GOP candidate a Trump supporter and win by doing well in the collar counties.
Comment by The Real Downstate Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:41 pm
=== But Trump may also be much weaker by then due to potential legal woes.===
Davis voting twice, refusing to impeach… then Trump legal woes… those ads write themselves.
===But in a non-presidential election year where facts no longer matter, all bets are off, it seems to me.===
If facts don’t matter, than Davis should embrace Trump, with Trump support and run against Pritzker (if Davis is nominated) as a Trumpkin, facts be.. well, facts be “alternative”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:44 pm
===very little evidence that Pritzker has lost meaningful support from those that elected him===
==Maybe. But there is evidence that his opposition has hardened to a diamond-like quality.==
Bingo! And add to that - JB’s support has always been and remains quite soft.
Not saying any Republican will have any easy time knocking him out, or even getting close. But if the R’s nominate someone who can tell a halfway decent story, all bets are off.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:47 pm
==Someone who is serious about getting elected in 15 months should be running now. ==
I mean, he kinda is, but I see what you’re saying.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:48 pm
=== Not saying any Republican will have any easy time knocking him out, or even getting close. But if the R’s nominate someone who can tell a halfway decent story, all bets are off.===
They will need… need.. 9-figures in money to tell a story, and try to fend off “Trump” links.
They can do it, the real question is “will”, will they be able to do it. Griffin is now even more important with Rauner gone.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:55 pm
“But, I think, as with everybody in the Republican Party, they’re looking to see what Ken Griffin is going to do.”
Shameless they are?
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:56 pm
=== the R’s nominate someone who can tell a halfway decent story===
Rodney would be the best messenger of all given his image as a “moderate.” What would that halfway decent story be? Would it be one like Rauner told? An IPI or Tribune version?
Comment by IlliniVoter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:58 pm
=== the R’s nominate someone who can tell a halfway decent story===
Rodney would be the best messenger of all given his image as a “moderate.” What would that halfway decent story be? Would it be one like Rauner told? An IPI or Tribune version?
Comment by Curious Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 12:58 pm
=== What would that halfway decent story be? Would it be one like Rauner told? An IPI or Tribune version?===
This time with Trump baggage to fend off too.
Don’t envy the crew who hasta do it, and beg for the money to do it with
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:00 pm
- Curious -, ask - IlliniVoter -
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:01 pm
If Griffin is interested in funneling money to his preferred candidate, why couldn’t he just run for Governor himself?
Having a guy like Griffin bankroll a candidate would make it easy to paint Rodney or whoever as a rag beholden to corporate interests. Hardly makes the Republican Party the working class party.
Comment by IlliniVoter Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:02 pm
=== If Griffin is interested in funneling money to his preferred candidate, why couldn’t he just run for Governor himself?===
The goal is to be the billionaire kingmaker, not the king taking the slings and arrows.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:04 pm
Rebooted and still don’t believe for a second that Illinois Republicans will re-elect Kinzinger or much less support him for Governor over his impeachment vote for a President on his way out of office.
Maybe you can cite a single candidate who alienated his base and cruised to reelection
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:06 pm
=== Maybe you can cite a single candidate who alienated his base and cruised to reelection===
The admitting that the Trumpkin Cult is the base is proof positive
1) You see Trump as the GOP
2) Being against the Trumpkin Base is bad
3) You don’t see Kinzinger as good
What your reboot continues to misfire is the idea was talking about independents and the general election framing, nothing to do with a primary.
Kinzinger unable to be seen winning a Trumpkin primary is more of an indictment (no pun intended to the cult leader) of how far the “GOP” is turning toward the “bad”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:11 pm
=Someone who is serious about getting elected in 15 months should be running now.=
Therein lies the conundrum, the GQP is not serious about getting elected or governing in Illinois.
=Just as the GOP labels every Dem a socialist,=
Given his elite status as a socialist farmer, this will be a tough one for Bailey.
But I will absolutely vote for Bailey in the primary and I encourage everyone to do the same. I wish I could vote for him twice./s
Bailey is a gift to the ILDP just as Mary “Eva Braun” Miller is.
Rodney Davis shows is political fortitude, or lack thereof, with his hedging and “I need a job” attitude. He will get eaten alive in gubernatorial primary by the GQP Volk.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:16 pm
By your definition virtually every Republican currently serving in the Senate or Congress will lose their next election because of Trump.
You also seem the imply Democrats will be able to hold onto their 4 vote majority in the House in the midterms based on their obsession with focusing on the former President
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:17 pm
Rodney Davis has never held a real job except when he was flipping burgers at any of his father’s McDonald franchises. He is the pure definition of a lifelong politician with little insight into working people’s lives.
Comment by truthteller Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:37 pm
I see any GOP candidate for state wide office as winding up in a squeeze. S/he can’t afford to cheese off the possibly over-exuberant, devotees who will say absolutely illogical and/or appalling things. The candidate will then be asked to respond to the appalling thing said, the candidate will be unable to answer forthrightly that that’s just nonsense and lather rinse and repeat through the entire election season. And if the candidate voted for impeachment, I don’t see them winning the primary and if they voted for impeachment I do not see them winning the general.
And that’s even before they get to the point where they either need to affirm or condemn the events of 0106.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 1:43 pm
Billionaire kingmakers are essentially undemocratic in their attempts to subvert the will of the people.
We rule by way of vote here in America…that’s the democratic deal.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 2:01 pm
(Sigh)
=== By your definition…===
===You also seem the imply…===
I do neither of what you think your programming shows.
“When Lucky Pierre is asked something, what we get is ‘Trump/Rauner’ talking points. You see, sir, the bot software was originally written to look for ways to control a positive narrative or shed negative light on good things. And I think when it gets confused, it kind of runs home to mama”
- Seaman Beaumont, USN, USS Dallas… maybe.
Ok… let’s try this…
===every===
Gerrymandering in Red states alone makes this bot foolishness silly, unless it’s in your programming.
And…
===Democrats will be able to hold onto===
I made no assertion like that, your bot programming towards that default is working, so that’s good.
Stick with the discussion;
Davis, statewide, re-elect, his record towards both.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 2:05 pm
The former President remains highly popular with the minority of voters in Illinois that still identify themselves as Republicans. But as we saw in 2020 statewide that translates to a double digit loss. So if the argument is that a Republican has to stay loyal to the base and it’s leader, realize that in Illinois that leaves you on the outside looking in.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jun 24, 21 @ 2:35 pm