UPDATED: Welch May Be on Verge of Speaker's Gavel
Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside) may be on the verge of gaining enough support to become the first African American Speaker of the Illinois House.
With some 16 hours remaining before the new General Assembly votes on a new Speaker of the House, Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch is on the verge of making history.
After being drafted into the race late Monday night by the House Black Caucus, Welch faced the full Democratic caucus for the first time Tuesday evening.
He entered the race after embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan suspended his bid for another term Monday morning.
Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) also jumped into the race Tuesday afternoon.
Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) finished second to Madigan in the first round of voting Sunday night. She dropped her bid Tuesday evening.
Williams issued a statement following the vote.
“Today I withdrew my candidacy for the Speaker of the Illinois House when it became clear I would be unable to garner the requisite 60 votes. I couldn’t be more grateful for all those who
encouraged and supported me along the way. I am proud of what we accomplished and the steps we took to begin a new chapter in the Illinois House. We made history. The House Democratic
Caucus continues to debate the best path forward and I am confident that we will reach a decision together and get to work for the people of Illinois. I will continue to push for strong and
independent women to lead - not just in the Illinois House, but at all levels of government.”
Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) also dropped her efforts Tuesday evening.
Democrats reportedly voted 50-15 for Welch Tuesday night, still short of the 60 votes needed for election.
Some House Democrats say another round of balloting is expected late Tuesday night.
UPDATE (10:39 P.M.):
Here's Rep. Stephanie Kifowit's withdrawal statement from earlier in the evening:
“On October 1, I stood up and announced my intention to run for Speaker of the House in Illinois’s 102nd General Assembly, at a time when it was assumed that Speaker Madigan would easily retain his speakership. I believed then, as I do now, that our caucus deserved a choice for new leadership in the State of Illinois.
“With additional individuals entering this race yesterday, it is clear that I do not have a path to 60 votes -- but I am encouraged and energized by the fact that the caucus has a real choice in candidates for Speaker for the first time in 38 years. I am excited for the state of Illinois, and I look forward to serving in the 102nd General Assembly under new leadership”.
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UPDATE (11:25 P.M.):
Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood) just told us it is still between Welch and Hoffman for Speaker. And that the issue is "definitely not" settled. Expecting another caucus tonight.
Asked if Welch could get to 60 votes tonight, Davis said “he's trying.”
We've been trying to reach Hoffman tonight without success.
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UPDATE (1/13 3:02 A.M.):
House Dem spokesman Steve Brown says more legislation will be called tonight, err, this morning, and the House Dems will not be caucusing again until (later this) morning. Rep. Welch has not returned our messages, but he told Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business he had secured the necessary votes to become Speaker.
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