State Chair Robin Kelly announces for a new term as aides to the governor confirm he’s actively backing committee hopefuls who likely would dump her.
May 31, 2022 Greg Hinz on Politics -WTTW News- Robin Kelly and J.B. Pritzker
Even as Illinois Democrats face what could be strong November headwinds, the battle for control of the Illinois Democratic Party Is intensifying with a pair of key developments today.
In one move, incumbent state Chair Robin Kelly, who was elected over opposition from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, announced today she’ll seek a new term when the party’s central committee meets shortly after the June 28 primary.
The early announcement, in which Kelly touted her accomplishments since succeeding Mike Madigan as chair, was not unexpected. But it represents a marker of sorts for a looming fight.
Pritzker’s political spokeswoman today confirmed the governor will be quite active in central committee races that now are ongoing and which likely will determine whether Kelly has the votes to survive.
Pritzker aides earlier had seemed to suggest he wouldn’t make endorsements or contributions to candidates for committeeman and committeewoman in each of the state’s 17 congressional districts. But spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein said endorsements in “certainly several” races are coming, along with financial help.
One big donation already has been disclosed: $20,000 to help Liz Brown-Reeves in a downstate district in which U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., reportedly is backing another candidate.
Edelstein said other contributions to committee candidates will become public soon, when recipients formally report them to the State Board of Elections, a process that can take a couple of weeks, depending on when a check actually is received and cashed.
“We’re making contributions,” Edelstein said. “I just don’t know when people will (disclose).”
She added, “The governor’s going to continue supporting Democrats up and down the ballot, as he has from day one.”
Kelly defeated Pritzer-backed Michelle Harris, alderman of Chicago’s 8th Ward, in a battle that dealt in part with whether Kelly as a member of Congress would be conflicted in raising money for the state party, one of the chair’s primary jobs.
In her announcement, Kelly said she’s raised $1.9 million, with $4.2 million in cash on hand, for the party’s coordinated campaign fund. She said she’s also opened up the party to new participants and reorganized it so that it has basic things it lacked before, such as a media strategy.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the progress we’ve made together in the last 14 months and, with a full slate of fantastic Democratic candidates gearing up for this fall’s midterm election, now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to a party that is inclusive, transparent and active in everything we do,” she said.