Proxy War Between Durbin and Pritzker Escalates
Senator Richard Durbin visits with then Governor-elect JB Pritzker and his wife, M.K., during an open house in Springfield in 2019.
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There’s a new chapter being written in the battle for control of the state Democratic party.
There are multiple primaries in the races for 34 State Central Committee spots (one man and one woman from each of the 17 congressional districts) and many have loyalties to either Governor JB Pritzker or Senator Dick Durbin. Who wins those primaries could have a big impact on if Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) will get a full term leading the state party.
Kelly defeated Pritzker-backed Chicago Alderwoman Michelle Harris in a battle that led to questions as to whether Kelly could raise money for the state party, which is obviously one of the things a party chair is expected to do.
Prtizker has begun giving contributions out to his preferred candidates and Deputy Governor Andy Manar, a former Springfield-area state senator, appears in a mail piece for 15th District candidate Liz Brown-Reeves.
I’m told the relationship between Pritzker and Durbin is “tense.” I asked a Democratic insider last night how ugly the battle could get and the reply was “that’s up to the governor.” Yikes.
This morning at an event in East St.Louis, Pritzker dodged questions about his support for Kelly: