Top Democrat Says Pritzker "Very Interested" in VP
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor JB Pritzker campaign in Chicago in 2022. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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A top Illinois Democrat says Governor JB Pritzker is “very interested” in serving as Vice President.
Former Senate President John Cullerton, who serves on the Illinois Democratic State Central Committee and the Democratic National Committee says he believes there is a long list of reasons and accomplishments that would help the second-term governor rise to the top of Vice President Harris’ short list.
Cullerton, who says he used the same pollster as the Biden campaign during his time as Senate President, made it clear “a year and a half ago” that Biden was unlikely to win the presidency and said it wasn’t a surprise Biden eventually exited the race.
Cullerton says he never believed Pritzker was a contender for the presidential nomination because it was “obvious” that Harris was the choice for the top of the ticket.
He says that leaves the question of Harris’ running mate unsettled.
“I’m a strong supporter of Pritzker,” Cullerton said. “The governors [in contention] are rock stars. But Pritzker is an excellent candidate. He has had a great record, he’s got a business record, he’s kind of middle-of-the-road [politically], and he’s been a [strong] supporter of choice. That’s the kind of thing that helps drive turnout to win the election.”
Cullerton says he believes Pritzker would be willing to dip into his vast wealth to help finance the campaign. He has dropped more than $300 million into his campaign for governor since announcing for the office in 2017.
Cullerton says he has not spoken to Pritzker since Biden walked away from the race, but says previous conversations about the position lead him to believe in Pritzker’s interest.
We asked Cullerton if he believes Pritzker, who has been an executive in business and as Governor, wants to be someone’s Vice President.
“I know he does,” Cullerton said. “He’s very interested.”
We reached out to Pritzker’s campaign to confirm the conversation with Cullerton or to confirm his interest in serving as Vice President. They did not return our message.
The Illinoize spoke to several Democratic officeholders and political strategists Monday, none of whom were willing to speak on the record about Pritzker, most believe Pritzker wants to serve on the national stage.
“He was made for this,” one consultant said.
Pritzker’s potential push for Vice President is already getting some support among Illinois’ congressional delegation.
“That would be great. He’s ready to roll,” Congressman Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) told CBS2 Monday. “He’s an extraordinary governor and he’d be a great candidate for Vice President.”
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday night Pritzker is among six candidates the Harris campaign has requested vetting materials for. (Five are governors: Pritzker, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and one Senator: Mark Kelly of Arizona.)
Pritzker denied the report during an interview on MSNBC Tuesday morning.