Dems Choose Congresswoman Robin Kelly as New Party Chair
Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) was chosen the new chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois Wednesday night, replacing former House Speaker Michael Madigan. Kelly was backed by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and defeated Chicago Alderman Michele Harris, who was supported by Madigan, Governor JB Pritzker, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
Despite heavy hitter opponents, including billionaire Governor JB Pritzker, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) secured a narrow victory Wednesday night in a heated and vicious battle to become new state Democratic Party chair.
Pritzker, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and former House Speaker and previous party chair Michael Madigan all backed southside Alderman Michele Harris. Kelly had the backing of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. The competition between the two women became a proxy battle, of sorts, between Durbin and Pritzker for control of the party.
More controversy arose in recent days as a leading Democratic law firm issued an opinion that Kelly was ineligible to serve or raise money as state Democratic chair, which she vehemently denied.
Kelly represents the 2nd Congressional district, which stretches from Jackson Park on Chicago’s southside, along the Indiana border, to Kankakee County.
This story will be updated.
UPDATE (11:21 P.M.):
The questions about Kelly’s candidacy were repeated ad nauseam Wednesday night, as former Senate President John Cullerton made multiple statements about whether Kelly can, or should, hold the office.
“We’re going to have a serious problem. Look, the Republicans are going to have a field day with this,” Cullerton said, referring to the legal questions regarding Kelly’s candidacy.. “I think this is going to be a quagmire we’re going to get in if you’re successful.”
Kelly claimed her lawyers made it clear she could serve as chair and cited how other members of Congress serve as state chairs in Colorado and Georgia.
Most undecided, or at least, undeclared state central committee members broke to Kelly in the final hours before the vote Wednesday night.
Kelly, after her election, tried to speak of a party that needs to move forward and battle the GOP head on.
“Our democracy is under siege,” she said. “In state after state, Republicans are trying to roll back voting rights, suppress the rights of people of color to vote and trampling on what makes democracy sacred, the right of all people to participate in the process.”
Governor JB Pritzker tweeted his congratulations to the candidate he didn’t support earlier this evening.
—-