Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell Running for Secretary of State
Chicago Alderwoman Pat Dowell, who has represented her southside ward since 2007, says she’s running for Secretary of State in 2022.
Longtime Chicago Alderwoman Pat Dowell appears to be the fourth Democrat headed for a primary to replace Jesse White as Secretary of State next year.
From the great Rick Pearson of the Chicago Tribune:
“I can absolutely take a pledge today that I would not seek higher office from the secretary of state position,” said Dowell, 63, who has represented the South Side 3rd Ward since 2007.
“My goal for this office is to provide the residents of Illinois with the best customer service possible and not use the office as a personal steppingstone to advance my career,” she said.
Dowell said she would “take the office into a new era in ways that provide greater customer service for the people of Illinois, increasing efficiency and innovative cutting edge technology.”
Dowell cited her work as chair of the City Council’s budget committee in shepherding through a $12.8 billion city spending plan as an example of her leadership in being able to work with “diverse communities and people with different perspectives.”
Former Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, and State Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort) have all indicated they plan to seek the office next year. Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, who had been considering a bid, announced Monday she would not seek the position. The Tribune reports Yarbrough is supporting Dowell.
86-year-old Secretary of State Jesse White, who has held the position since 1999, is not seeking re-election next year.