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The July 31 announcement that long-time 7th District Congressman Danny K. Davis was not running for re-election has changed the local political dynamics in more ways than one.
Don Harmon, State Senate President and Democratic Oak Park Township Committeeman, said Sunday that he will be circulating nominating petitions for the party office of 7th District State Central Committeeman, an office Davis has held since 1998.
Meanwhile, Harmon’s counterpart in the Illinois General Assembly, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has started actively campaigning for the post and has secured an endorsement from Davis and 18 other political figures, including River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci and State Rep. LaShawn Ford. […]
For 15 years, Harmon has eyed a seat on the powerful Democratic State Central Committee. Twice in the time period — in 2009 and in 2022 — Harmon has stepped back after Davis chose to run for re-election, saying he would not oppose Davis.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:16 pm
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What an interesting development…a schism perhaps?
Stay tuned.
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:20 pm
This can’t be good for Dems long-term. Wish they’d just figure it out behind the scenes.
Comment by Alton Sinkhole Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:30 pm
How long do we think Hernandez will remain chair after one of them joins the fray?
Comment by Jax Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:39 pm
wow. wild
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:43 pm
Time for a third person to collect signatures so voters can express how they feel about political class
Comment by PoliticsD Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 5:03 pm
===a schism perhaps?===
Harmon has wanted that job forever. Welch was recently elected township committeeperson. This was gonna happen sooner or later because the new map put the two leaders in the same congressional district.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 5:09 pm
This is a spot for a Black man. The Democratic Party has a Black male problem and Harmon winning that seat would be a major problem for the party that’s losing black male votes daily.
Comment by West Side Black Elected Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 5:13 pm
Danny Davis endorsed Welch… I would expect JB agrees with that
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 8:22 pm
It’s unique, but also I remain fixated on the framing that they’re both from 2 of the most historic mafia municipalities so it’s hard to differentiate the two. I’m not saying to exhume the bodies in Hillside or whatever but IMO Speaker Welch should be more public about the potential successors of the folks buried there. I predict that this election will entirely depend on the result of President Harmon’s appeal.
Comment by Macon Deliberations Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 8:25 pm
To Oak Park’s credit though, guess the Giancana murder is solved?
Comment by Macon Deliberation Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 8:29 pm
“The Democratic Party has a Black male problem”
The Democratic Party has a male problem in general. Men, especially latino and young white men are leaving the party. Because men feel that they don’t have a place in the party.
As to the seat, I have a hard time seeing Welch win against Harmon. Welchs political operation has relied on a mix of a core group, a new set of seasonal hires every cycle, and Ex-Madigan staffers that are now lobbyists to fill the gaps. I have feeling that those lobbyist may play a Switzerland card is this scenario. Whereas Harmon has mirrored the Madigan playbook. As a result his political operation has become more stable.
In a head to head its gonna come down to who wants it more. Be that in how much they commit in effort and resources. Harmon, unlike Welch, isn’t making a habit of spending a million or two to primary his own Caucus members. Inversely Welch is trying to make moves to expand his Caucus to over 80 member. It will cost Welch money to ensure a these preferred candidates make it through their primaries. Harmon doesn’t have that appear to have this issue or it’s nowhere as big of a commitment compared to Welch
Also, I think this should be said. Harmon didn’t sit back in a caucus meeting and let his members tear into the Governors staffers. Because the 2nd floor hasn’t forgotten about that. The 2nd floor has the means and motivation to put their thumb on the scale should they feel inclined to.
Comment by Principal Skinner Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 8:40 pm
I wonder which candidate the Illinois Legislative Staff Association will endorse in this race?
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 7:47 am