Madigan suspends campaign for house speaker in IL

[It’s so Joever]

I hate Democrats. Spineless cowards.
They are complicit through their “high ground” crap in the destruction of our country.

While you are right, I'd like to point out that we should be requiring ethical standards in our elected officials. Mike Madigan doesn't have any.

Not until the GOP starts.

[The Houstonian]

End of an era

[Gracile]

Very unfortunate news

The IL Dems sans Madigan are still likely to give the Democrats a favorable congressional map.

[Born to Slay. Forced to Work.]

No! We need his magic pen to draw out all the republicans

[Conservatopia]

Perhaps some D-IL posters can help answer this please:

How much power and influence does Madigan's fabled "Program" really have?  Is it as influential as some in the media make out or is that overstated?

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

Beautiful news! I wonder if this is the preamble to retiring in 2022.

I don't understand why some people expect whoever his successor is to draw a bad congressional map for Democrats or something.

[VAR]

Good news, but

The IL Dems sans Madigan are still likely to give the Democrats a favorable congressional map.

[lfromnj]

Very unfortunate news

The IL Dems sans Madigan are still likely to give the Democrats a favorable congressional map.

The more important thing for IL Dem's is not the congressional map but change the judicial map.

[Mr.Phips]

Very unfortunate news

The IL Dems sans Madigan are still likely to give the Democrats a favorable congressional map.

The more important thing for IL Dem's is not the congressional map but change the judicial map.

Agreed.  Make sure the open seat for Kilbrides old seat takes in the most Democratic counties in the state outside of Cook county

[Gracile]

State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Hillside) is throwing his name into the ring, and is getting support from the Legislative Black Caucus:

https://capitolfax.com/2021/01/12/illinois-legislative-black-caucus-thanks-madigan-touts-welch/

Reps. Ann Williams and Stephanie Kifowit are still in (Rep. Kathleen Willis dropped out and endorsed Williams), but their paths will become much more challenging with this latest endorsement.

Edit: Welch also has Madigan's backing, which pretty much makes it a done deal-

https://twitter.com/rrhinton/status/1348842736716304387

[JGibson]

Stephanie Kifowit, the first person to challenge Michael Madigan, has bowed out.

https://twitter.com/MarkMaxwellTV/status/1349158354128670722

[JGibson]

Updates:

Ann Williams (D) dropped out of the Speaker's race.
https://twitter.com/MaryAnnAhernNBC/status/1349174942806515718



Jay Hoffman (D) joined the race, and got 15 votes. Chris Welch (D) got 50 votes. 8 voted Present.
https://twitter.com/tonyjarnold/status/1349178502659121153

[Donerail]

How much power and influence does Madigan's fabled "Program" really have?  Is it as influential as some in the media make out or is that overstated?

It works where it works and doesn't where it doesn't. Until recently, that was enough — if your majority is built on minority machine seats and white union machine seats, everyone's on the same page. When white progressives (or the handful of white suburban moderates who get elected running against Madigan) can get elected, that throws a wrench in things, but usually, if it's one or two people, they can get frozen out and made an example of. (Such is the sad tale of ex-Rep. Scott Drury.) If, however, political coalitions shift and suddenly you're dealing with a dozen+ white suburbans, that becomes a problem.

What I think is overstated by the media — helped along by the Republicans — is the idea of a "Madigan machine" as a personal operation. Much of the money & the organizing power comes from the unions, who then get their priorities heard in Springfield (compare this to Nevada's "Reid machine," which is mostly about UNITE HERE rather than Reid himself). Which side is the head and which the tail is an open question, but one that benefits no party to examine: Madigan wants to project strength and unity, Republicans benefit from having an individual villain to blame things on. Plus, the "International Union of Operating Engineers Local #150 Machine" is much less catchy.

[PSOL]

Who is Chris Weltch and Jay Hoffman? Which IL house members voted for each of them recently and which ones abstained?

[Donerail]

Who is Chris Weltch and Jay Hoffman? Which IL house members voted for each of them recently and which ones abstained?

Hoffman is a white conservative Democrat from somewhere downstate, Welch is the black caucus guy from the west suburbs.

[PSOL]

Who is Chris Weltch and Jay Hoffman? Which IL house members voted for each of them recently and which ones abstained?

Hoffman is a white conservative Democrat from somewhere downstate, Welch is the black caucus guy from the west suburbs.

What I’m getting at here is that the Illinois Democratic Party is in Dissaray as a headless chicken, no?

[Donerail]

Who is Chris Weltch and Jay Hoffman? Which IL house members voted for each of them recently and which ones abstained?

Hoffman is a white conservative Democrat from somewhere downstate, Welch is the black caucus guy from the west suburbs.

What I’m getting at here is that the Illinois Democratic Party is in Dissaray as a headless chicken, no?

The House caucus will likely install Welch as Speaker this afternoon. The Illinois Democratic Party as a whole is still under the leadership of its chairman, who remains chair despite no longer having to deal with the obligations of Speaker.

[JGibson]

Madigan Era over: Chris Welch is now the new Illinois House Speaker.

Daily Kos (written by me):

The long-awaited announcement in Illinois politics has arrived: Michael Madigan (D) will no longer be the Illinois State House Speaker, as Chris Welch (D) will be the Speaker to begin the 102nd Assembly.

Welch got 69 votes to become the next Speaker, and 3 Democrats voted Present in their private party meeting to determine who was going to fill Madigan’s shoes. He beat out Jay Hoffman (D) for that honor. He becomes the first Black person to lead the Illinois State House.

[Red Wall]

Elections move stuff. IL dems lost all competitive house races plus some referendums because Madigan tanked them. Now he's gone.

[muon2]

Perhaps some D-IL posters can help answer this please:

How much power and influence does Madigan's fabled "Program" really have?  Is it as influential as some in the media make out or is that overstated?

The "Madigan Program" usually refers to the specific steps and tactics required of candidates and their campaigns. It starts with specific weekly goals for a candidate to knock on doors and call voters. Those goals continue after an election, even during the legislative session. There are goals for fundraising and for name id in the district. Candidates have shared mailer templates to use tested messaging, and the state party will use its discounted postage rate. If a candidate is able to meet the demands of the program, the organization will help with additional funds and staff as needed based on polling.

[Aliens]

Yes! Good luck to the new Speaker Rep Welch

[GALeftist]

Pls give 14-3 map daddy

[Suburbia]

Madigan is retiring.

I like Madigan's style, but he should have left a long time ago. You can't have political monarchy.

Mitch McConnell should go too....

ILDP should let him leave as Chair as well

https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2021/2/18/22289313/michael-madigan-resigns-state-representative-22nd-district

[gerritcole]

truly end of an era - last true machine boss falls

[PSOL]

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