Who'd step in if Dems purge Burris, Stroger?
POLITICS | Party leaders see need for strong black candidates
If Illinois Democrats succeed in purging politically radioactive Sen. Roland Burris and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger from the party's ticket, what fresh new African-American faces can they recruit to attract African-American voters to the polls?
Secretary of State Jesse White, 74, is the only statewide African-American officeholder other than Burris, and White is facing an easy re-election. If African-Americans go from having a senator and County Board presidency to just White, that could provoke a backlash, some party leaders warn.
"I think because of the sheer numbers, having a candidate that appeals to the African-American voting base is going to be very important to the Democratic Party," said Larry Rogers, an attorney who serves on the Cook County Board of Review. Rogers said he has been approached by people who would like him to run for Cook County Board president, which he said he would consider only if Stroger opts not to run for re-election; and also by people who would like him to run for attorney general, should Lisa Madigan run for governor rather than seek re-election.
One of those encouraging Rogers is state Sen. James Meeks, himself considering a run for governor if Gov. Quinn and/or Lisa Madigan do not meet his challenge to run on a platform of adequately funding education in Illinois.
Meeks argues that Jesse White's presence alone on the statewide ticket will not be enough to motivate the black electorate. Meeks made the same threat four years ago but backed down when then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich promised to increase education funding, a promise, Meeks notes, that never came to fruition.
State Rep. David Miller (D-Chicago) is considering a run for lieutenant governor, either on his own or -- some say -- as an unofficial running mate with Madigan if she declares.
"I'm mulling it about," Miller said. "Right now, you've got a lot of people who are talking about running for everything." State Rep. Art Turner has formed an exploratory committee to look at running for lieutenant governor. State Sen. Rickey Hendon is, too.
Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is running hard to replace Burris in the Senate and hopes to bequeath his office to his chief of staff, former state Rep. Robin Kelly. Kelly was a legislator on the rise when she left her post representing the south suburbs to work for Giannoulias.
"I'm proud to be an African-American, and I think diversity on any ticket is important," Kelly said, "[but] we're starting to move into a new generation of leaders, people are looking at ideas candidates are bringing, real solutions, not just what group they represent."
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis said he would be open to running for either Burris' or Stroger's seat, but only if Burris or Stroger pulls out.
And even if Stroger pulls out, Davis said he would not run for County Board president unless Ald. Toni Preckwinkle pulls out of that race. Preckwinkle says she's in whether or not Stroger runs.
Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson has been mentioned as a potential U.S. Senate candidate, but her past role as spokeswoman for Blagojevich may make this a bad year for that.
So far, Burris and Stroger have brushed off suggestions from party leaders that they step aside, despite the controversies that have poll numbers for both men in the basement.
At the top of the ticket, elected officials are waiting to see if Madigan challenges Quinn in the Democratic primary, opening her office to bids from Rogers, state Rep. Jack Franks, state Rep. Julie Hamos and state Comptroller Dan Hynes, which, in turn would open up his office. Merchandise Mart President Chris Kennedy and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky also are weighing challenges to Burris.
“Right now it’s like one big chess game: Everyone’s waiting to see what Lisa’s going to do,” Turner said.
“There are a lot of individuals who are talking about running for a lot of things,” Davis said.