Could Flowers Defy the Odds and Win Re-election?
Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) delivers yard signs in her district earlier this month. She is facing a primary opponent backed by House Speaker Chris Welch. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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Whether they’re talking on or off the record, the political topic on the mind of many Chicago Democrats is the fate of Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago).
Flowers has been targeted for defeat by House Speaker Chris Welch.
Welch is backing Michael Crawford, a Dean at The Chicago School, a psychology and behavioral science college in downtown Chicago. Welch has directed around $1.4 million to Crawford, mainly from unions allies and House Democrats.
The issues between Flowers and Welch have been well-documented, that she was removed from leadership last year and banned from Democratic caucus meetings after comparing the dress of a Democratic staffer to a Nazi.
Flowers has not returned multiple calls from The Illinoize.
Michael Crawford, who is challenging Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) in the March 19 primary.
We discussed Flowers’ future in multiple conversations with lawmakers, insiders, and consultants. In recent weeks, most conversations treated Flowers as “toast,” as one insider put it, but the discussion of her chances has changed the last couple of weeks.
“If anyone wins this race, it’s Mary Flowers,” said a Democratic lawmaker. “She’s an institution and she sure isn’t going quietly.”
Others were even more optimistic.
“I think she might win this race,” said one Democratic strategist, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “In that district, someone who has been around [almost 40 years] has almost universal name ID. And it’s positive name ID, too.”
The influx of cash has helped Crawford begin advertising on broadcast TV in recent days.
TaQuoya McConnico, executive director for the House Democrats’ political arm, did not return a message seeking comment from The Illinoize.
She said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune that party leaders are “speaking with one voice … after much consideration of the future of our caucus.”
None of the Democrats we spoke to were willing (or able) to discuss any polling they’ve seen in the race, but one insider claimed polling is likely to be “unreliable” in the southside-based district.
But some remain skeptical of Flowers’ chances.
“Mary has had a good run,” said one longtime Democratic insider. “But you just don’t survive when the Speaker comes this hard after you. Nobody does.”