Numerous Incumbents Facing Potential Primary Trouble
Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), who is facing a high profile primary in March.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
Some House Democrats are quietly wringing their hands over primary challenges to two of their members.
Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), the longest serving member of the General Assembly, faces a primary challenge from Michael Crawford, Dean of the private university “The Chicago School.”
Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago), a former athletic administrator for the City Colleges of Chicago, has served in the house since he was appointed to replace former Rep. Andre Thapedi in 2021. He is being challenged by Lisa Davis, an assistant Cook County Public Defender.
Both challengers this week were endorsed by the powerful Illinois AFL-CIO and we’re told other unions may follow suit.
Flowers has been a lightning rod of sorts in recent years. She was kicked off of House Speaker Chris Welch’s leadership team after telling a staffer they were dressed like a Nazi. She has served in the House since 1985.
Nichols, meanwhile, drew ire from progressives in his caucus when a group of his supporters ‘interrupted’ a pro-trans rally last month.
Flowers ended the year with around $175,000 in the bank, while Crawford had under $1,000. Nichols had around $50,000 in the bank at the end of 2023, while Davis had under $100. Though, we’re told, more money will be flowing to the challengers “soon.”
Three Republican incumbents facing primary challengers are far outraising their opponents.
Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has around $43,000 in the bank while challenger Marsha Webb has around $8,000. Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) has $83,000 in the bank. His Freedom Caucus-backed opponent, Angela Evans, filed with less than $2,000 in the bank.
The race all eyes are on remains Rep. Blaine Wilhour’s (R-Beecher City) primary against corrections employee Matt Hall. Wilhour has around $48,000 to Hall’s $1,100. But, we reported earlier in the week both the Illinois Education Association and AFSMCE have told insiders they are “all in” on beating Wilhour.
In the Senate, Senate President Don Harmon is “all in” for appointed Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago). Committees controlled by Harmon already pumped nearly $300,000 last quarter and the Senate Dems are apparently paying five staffers on the ground in the district already.
Senate Dems also dropped another $500,000 cash into Toro’s account last week.
Her toughest challenge comes from progressive-backed Graciela Guzman, who worked for former Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas. Guzman ended 2023 with $65,000 in the bank, though the Democratic spigot for Toro may not shut before the March 19 primary.
Senate Republicans are said to be directing donors to the coffers of Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), who is facing a challenge from attorney Wesley Kash. Kash has received over $300,000 in cash from his father and grandmother, but hasn’t used it as of the end of the year. He’s been combative and, sort of, weird, on the campaign trail, which has seemingly turned a lot of folks off to the seriousness of his campaign.
Bryant finished the year with around $280,000 in the bank. Kash, who repaid $50,000 in loans to his father, has around $250,000.
