Why Welch "Cut Loose" Two Members in Tough Primaries
Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago) at a fundraiser with House Speaker Chris Welch (second from left). Welch has seemingly withdrawn support for Nichols’ re-election campaign.
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If two Democratic legislators from the southside of Chicago are going to win competitive primaries next month, they won’t have the help of House Speaker Chris Welch’s powerful political organization. And some believe Welch may be actively supporting their opponents.
Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), the longest-serving member of the General Assembly, was kicked out of House leadership and banned from caucus meetings last year. Sources indicated Flowers had made repeated “outbursts” in Democratic caucus meetings, often adding further drama to already tricky debates. She had also been admonished for the way she treated staff, including comparing the appearance of a House staffer to a Nazi.
Flowers did not return a message from The Illinoize this week.
Numerous sources say it’s no surprise Welch isn’t supporting her in a primary against Michael Crawford, Dean of the private university “The Chicago School.”
Crawford has raised more than $380,000 in large donations, mostly from Welch-friendly unions since January 19.
The issues surrounding Rep. Cyril Nichols (D-Chicago) seem less clear.
Nichols, an Assistant Athletic Director at the City Colleges of Chicago, was appointed in 2021 to replace former Rep. Andre Thapedi, and was not the chosen candidate of House Democrats.
Nichols drew ire from progressives in his caucus when a group of his supporters ‘interrupted’ a pro-trans rally last year, though we’re told Nichols wasn’t directly blamed for the event.
"The guy created a whole lot of problems for himself on his own,” one top Democratic insider told us.
We’re told many Democratic feathers were ruffled because Nichols has a close relationship with former Rep. Ken Dunkin. Dunkin drew the ire of Democrats in 2015 for siding on some key issues with Republican Governor Bruce Rauner. Dunkin was defeated in a primary in 2016 by now-Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.
Nichols is opposed by Assistant Cook County Public Defender Lisa Davis. Davis has raised more than $340,000 in large donations since January 19, many unions and many mirroring donations made to Crawford.
Nichols did not return messages from The Illinoize.
Some Democrats are privately frustrated with Welch’s perceived role in bouncing his own members.
“We may be flying high now, but sowing divisions in the caucus doesn’t make a lot of sense,” said one Democratic consultant. “It really looks bad in the [Black] community for the Speaker to cut loose Black Democrats in office.”
Welch has not directly endorsed or contributed money or staff to the insurgent campaigns. The House Democratic campaign arm did not respond to a request for comment.
But other Democrats say Welch is playing the long game.
“I think the Speaker sees there are members who aren’t good for the caucus,” one source said. “And he wants to make the caucus better.”