Nichols Withdraws After Welch Sides with Opponent
Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago) withdrew from his primary against Assistant Cook County Public Defender Lisa Davis late Friday. House Speaker Chris Welch had reportedly sided with Davis, directing hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions against one of his members.
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The House Democrat campaign operation confirmed late Friday Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago) has withdrawn from his primary with Assistant Cook County Public Defender Lisa Davis.
House Speaker Chris Welch had essentially thrown Nichols to the wolves over a what was described as “a whole lot of problems” with his relationships in the caucus and his campaign efforts, which included being tied closely to former Rep. Ken Dunkin.
Welch has directed hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions against Nichols in the race. Nichols, an Assistant Athletic Director for the City Colleges of Chicago, was appointed to the House representing his far southside district in 2021.
Nichols’ 32nd District
The withdrawal paperwork was filed with the State Board of Elections late Friday afternoon, we’re told, but hasn’t been posted online.
We weren’t able to reach Nichols over the weekend.
While it means Nichols is out, obviously, it will also have an impact on Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago). Unions have been splitting their cash between Davis and Flowers’ challenger Michael Crawford. Now those sights will be set squarely on Flowers.