UPDATED: Madigan "Suspends" Speaker Campaign but Won't Drop Out, Throwing Dems in Further Disarray
House Speaker Michael Madigan announced Monday morning he was suspending his campaign for re-election, but not dropping out, throwing Democrats into further disarray about 48 hours before a vote for a new Speaker is taken.
After failing to reach the 60 votes he needs to retain the Speaker’s gavel in a private Democratic caucus Sunday night, embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan announced Monday morning he was “suspending” his campaign for Speaker, but not dropping out.
Madigan’s statement:
“This is not a withdrawal.
“I have suspended my campaign for Speaker.
“As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first.
“The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”
It appears to many as if Madigan is daring his caucus to find someone who can get to the 60-vote threshold for Speaker and that Madigan is positioning himself to re-enter the race when the caucus remains deadlocked.
His closest challenger, Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), received 18 votes Sunday night, far below the needed number for election.
House Democrats appeared stunned by the move Monday morning and none have been willing to comment to The Illinoize.
UPDATE (2:56 P.M.):
State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), one of the original 19 Madigan opponents, issued a statement Monday afternoon:
“This is truly a historic moment for our caucus and our state. Speaker Madigan’s decision to suspend his campaign is an opportunity for us to come together as Democrats and carve a new path forward. Our caucus’ growing diversity is our strength, and we need to respect that as we decide what our leadership team looks like going forward. I anticipate that this debate will be robust and impassioned, but in the end, we are all Democrats, and we will come together to turn the page and fight for new solutions for the people of Illinois.
“This news came as a shock to a lot of the caucus, so I expect the race will change dramatically as a result. This is a time to hear what all of our colleagues have to say about their visions for a new leadership team. I have nothing to announce right now, but will keep everyone apprised if that should change.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) says Madigan is creating “uncertainty and misdirection.”
“His latest statement about suspending his bid for Speaker, but not withdrawing, is typical of his style and appears to be another ploy or a head fake,” Durkin said. “For the sake of the institution, his caucus must demand that he be direct and honest about his intentions – in or out.”
The move also potentially allows other Democrats to jump in the Speaker’s race, including potential Madigan loyalists. More candidates could further muddy the waters as well as complicate the future of legislation in the final hours of the 101st General Assembly.
Democrats are expected to hold a private caucus again Monday afternoon.