Democratic candidates in the Illinois U.S. Senate primary dusted it up in a televised debate--Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
Back on February 10, after Early voting began in the Illinois Democratic Party Primary this blog reviewed candidates up and down the ballot in McHenry County and made some early endorsements. But the unfolding campaigns have caused a reassessment of those endorsements in some critical races.
Perhaps the most significant change has occurred in the fierce contest to replace Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who was on the air and in social media for nearly a year seemed to put himself in an unchallengeable lead. Despite her endorsement by popular Governor J.D. Pritzker, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton with a significant disadvantage in fundraising only got on the air just as early voting was getting underway. Rep. Robin Kelly was among the top three contenders trailed by a string of nonentities and longshots, but was cash poor and counted out of the race by pundits and political operatives alike.
In an increasingly brutal campaign Krishnamoorthi and Stratton beat each other up badly in escalating negative campaign ads, each charging the other with accepting campaign donations from Trump supporters, companies involved in an ICE detention facility in Broadview and other contractors. Raja was also tied to big donations from the so-called crypto bros and Stratton was accused of "alleged" campaign finance offences. Both of their reputations were tarnished and confused and conflicted voters finally began to open the door to Kelly who had kept mostly out of the mudslinging.
Rep. Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate.
The blog endorsed Krishnamoorthi based mostly on his electability. Pritzker and establishment Dems rallied to Stratton, but perhaps not enough. Both of the two leaders have let third-party Pacs run adds with unsubstantiated attacks and fact-checked ads. Neither candidate distanced themselves from their deep pocket benefactors. Both could be so damaged that the winner might not be able to unify the Party for the fall or appeal to independents.
Kelly, once Barack Obama's seat mate in the Illinois State Senate, has a solid record in Congress and was popular enough to be elected Democratic State Party Chair in the wake of the Mike Madigan scandal. She had to vacate that post because of conflicts with her duties as a sitting U,S. Representative, but remained on good terms with most party factions. She has finally gotten her media campaign going and has picked up some key endorsements. Heretic, Rebel, a Thing to Flout now endorses her in Tuesday's election.
State Senator Karina Villa (center) with early supporter former Congressman Chuy Garcia (right), has strong support from the Latinx communities, labor, and progressives including Sen. Bernie Sanders for her run for State Comptroller.
State Senator Margaret Croke got the strong support of Governor Pritzker but the incumbent State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who is reportedly eyeing a run for Mayor of Chicago charged that Croke would not have enough independence from the governor to challenge his policies. Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim picked up the endorsement of both the Lake and McHenry County board chairs as well as Congressman Brad Schnieder. State Senator Karina Villa got strong support from Cook County, the critical Latinx community, labor unions, and progressive heroes Chuy Garcia and Senator Bernie Sanders. We gave an early endorsement to Croke but now prefer Villa for Comptroller.
Two usually low interest races for the Democratic Party posts of Congressional District State Central Committee posts are hotly contested.
Chicago 48th Ward Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth for State Committee Woman for the 9th Congressional District.
In the 9th District, the race mirrors the knock-down drag-out for the Congressional District of retiring Rep. Jan Schakowski. State Sen. Laura Fine and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss lead their races for State Central Committeeman contest and both appeal to the important Jewish vote in the district. But Schakowski and other progressive attacked Fine for her support from the American Israel Public Affiars Committe (AIPAC). Schakowski endorsed and Sen. Tammy Duckworth back Cook County Board Member Josina Morita, an urban planner, community advocate, and working mother for Committeeperson. Critics of Israeli genocide in Gaza oppose all three leading candidates. Another candidate, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth is a veteran community activist, founder of Indivisible Illinois, and 48th Ward Alderwoman in Chicago is a progressive alternative with a low visibility campaign. The blog endorsed Morita first time out but urges voters to consider Manaa-Hoppenworth. Voters must cast ballots for both a male and a female Committeeman.
Peter Janko and State Rep. Anne Stava for Democratic State Central Committee posts from the 11th Congressional District.
In the 11th District two term progressive incumbent Peter Janko, long a burr under the saddle of former McHenry County Democratic Chair and retiring Committee Woman Kristina Zahorik is probably safe for re-election. Which is why extraordinary campaign funds are being funneled to Committee Woman candidate Janet Yang Rohr, endorsed by Zahorik and 11th District Congressman Bill Foster. Democratic voters in the District have been flooded with multiple slick and super-sized campaign mailers unheard of in this usually low-key race against State Rep. Anne Stava, who has done no campaigning for the office as she runs for re-election in Illinois House District 81. So why the big money surge for Rohr? Suspicion leads to an endorsement of underdog Stava.
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