* Two high-level House Democrats have confirmed rampant rumors that House Speaker Michael Madigan is suspending his reelection campaign so that he’s not standing in the way of someone else trying to get to 60. More in a bit.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Press release…
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan released the following statement Monday:
“This is not a withdrawal.
“I have suspended my campaign for Speaker.
“As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first.
“The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”
…Adding… Tribune…
By stepping aside, albeit temporarily, Madigan may be aiming to show the fractured caucus that no one else can muster the necessary support.
I think that’s a big part of this, but I don’t see more than a tiny handful of the members who voted against him yesterday crawling back and asking him to save them. The harsh reality is, he can’t get to 60. This isn’t like a campaign where the person with the most votes wins. For Madigan, this is like passing a bill. And 60 is the magic number.
* Back to the article…
As Madigan waits to see if an alternative can gather 60 votes from a very diverse caucus, it also opens up the door to new candidates, including from the House Black and Latinx caucuses whose members overwhelmingly endorsed the speaker’s reelection.
And women. Don’t forget women.
The list of groups demanding the House elect a woman Speaker now includes: Illinois Democratic Women, We Will, Vote Mama, She Votes, Illinois NOW, Lake County Democratic Women, Northwest/North NOW, McHenry NOW, Resistor SisterHood, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Illinois Handmaids, Peoria NOW, Indivisible Oak Park, Friends Who March, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOW and Women’s March Chicago.
…Adding… Press release…
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) released the following statement on the latest updates of the Speaker’s election:
“With 36 hours left before the swearing-in of a new General Assembly, Michael Madigan continues to create uncertainty and misdirection. His latest statement about suspending his bid for Speaker, but not withdrawing, is typical of his style and appears to be another ploy or a head fake. For the sake of the institution, his caucus must demand that he be direct and honest about his intentions – in or out.”
Good point.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Following is a statement from State Rep. Kelly Cassidy in reaction to the news that Speaker Madigan is suspending his campaign for speaker.
“This is truly a historic moment for our caucus and our state. Speaker Madigan’s decision to suspend his campaign is an opportunity for us to come together as Democrats and carve a new path forward. Our caucus’ growing diversity is our strength, and we need to respect that as we decide what our leadership team looks like going forward. I anticipate that this debate will be robust and impassioned, but in the end, we are all Democrats, and we will come together to turn the page and fight for new solutions for the people of Illinois.
“This news came as a shock to a lot of the caucus, so I expect the race will change dramatically as a result. This is a time to hear what all of our colleagues have to say about their visions for a new leadership team. I have nothing to announce right now, but will keep everyone apprised if that should change.”
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