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* Mark Maxwell…
Sarah Frey, a family pumpkin farmer whose distribution deal with Walmart propelled her company to nationwide fame and impressed the likes of academic experts at Harvard Business School, is quietly growing support in the early stages of a 2020 primary contest to replace outgoing U.S. Representative John Shimkus in the 15th Congressional District.
Republicans in Washington, D.C., are “looking for a woman in that seat,” according to two sources close to the party’s effort to recruit candidates for the open seat. The focus on recruiting a female candidate could help the Illinois GOP address a gender deficit on Capitol Hill. All five Republicans currently serving in Illinois’ Congressional delegation are men.
The push to recruit a female could also be interpreted as an early snub to State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville), who has not yet officially announced a campaign, but immediately started seeking support from state party officials after Rep. Shimkus announced he would not seek re-election.
From a 2015 Huffington Post profile…
Sarah was raised on a small, 100-acre farm in southern Illinois, where at age eight, she and her mother would buy watermelons from local farmers and then go store-to-store, making deliveries to local grocers during the summer. At age 16, Sarah bought a truck and took over the distribution, and it wasn’t long before she grew the client list from 12 stores to more than 150. In fact, she purchased the family business when she was 18 years old. […]
Tsamma (pronounced Sah-Mah), is the first and only bottled watermelon juice produced in the U.S. Sarah created Tsamma after noticing a gap in the variety of flavored juice and sports drinks offered to consumers. Seizing the opportunity to fill a market void, Sarah launched Tsamma in June 2014 and within two months secured product distribution to more than 1,500 stores nationwide.
According to the New York Times, she also grows more pumpkins than anyone else in the country. Sen. Plummer could have his work cut out for him if they both decide to run.
* Meanwhile, Cal Skinner reports on a new poll from the Evelyn Sanguinetti congressional campaign…
The first [push question] had to do with Sanguinett’s Hispanic background and her being the first such Lieutenent Governor in the United States.
The second claimed that Sanguinetti “spent ten years fighting Mike Madigan,” while (apparently because of contributions from the same union source) Jeanne Ives “is Mike Madigan’s favorite Republican.”
Bruce Rauner, you will recall, used that exact same attack on Ives during the 2018 primary.
* Speaking of Ives…
Jeanne Ives, Republican Candidate for Congress (IL-6), has been endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund.
The SBA List, which is nearly a million members strong, supports candidates committed to defending life at all stages and to promotion laws that save lives.
The SBA List described Ives as “a bold pro-life leader who will fight to protect unborn children in Congress,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Illinois recently passed one of the most extreme abortion laws in the country – legalizing abortion up to the moment of birth, allowing non- doctors to perform abortions, and even repealing the state’s ban on gruesome partial-birth abortions. As a state legislator, Jeanne worked hard to oppose laws forcing taxpayers to fun abortion. Illinois citizens deserve a passionate pro-life advocate like Jeanne will stand up to the extreme abortion lobby in Washington.”
* Related…
* Trump’s takeover of GOP forces many House Republicans to head for the exits: Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), another retiring member, declined to say whether he had any problems with Trump. “The president is the de facto head of the party by definition, but the party for me is less government, individual responsibility, lower taxes, more personal freedoms and liberties,” he said. “People come and go. Personalities are personalities,” he added.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:08 am
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Anybody who spent the last decade “fighting Mike Madigan” is clearly not the successful person for the job. The 74 House Democratic seats say so. But in the GOP base, the Madigan attacks are red meat. Fighting Mike Madigan has been a disaster. Somebody needs to be honest with the GOP base.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:17 am
“Plummer Pumpkined”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:18 am
- Grandson of Man -
Some folks , rightly or wrongly, are expecting some news out of 219 S. Dearborn to change “dynamics” before the 2020 election day.
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:23 am
If Jason runs, he’ll get gourd. (Bonus points for autumnal humor on this first day of fall)
Comment by Hard Hat Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:24 am
The Susan B. Anthony folks had me at “bold” and “pro-life,” but they lost me at “leader” when describing Jeanne Ives. Crying loudly in the background and doing nothing substantive does not qualify one as a leader.
Comment by Travel Guy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:30 am
To the Post,
I think I can say I’m one who has given Jason Plummer some grief over the years, I can probably safely say he’d believe I’m not much of a fan.
Plummer has been impressive to how he’s gone about his business. Frankly, he has shown more learning than trying to teach, and listens far more than trying to speak. He’s worked with both sides of the aisle, and while still partisan, he’s been more thoughtful than I thought.
This race, for this Congressional seat, they don’t come up too often. Plummer would like to, I’m sure, be on in his way to a bigger stage, with a bigger title. I hope he stays. There, I said it.
There’s zero risk running. He’s not up, crowded field, that seat is as red as it can be by Illinois standards. That’s not the political concern. It’s the new map, and while Plummer isn’t guaranteed a thing in a new state Senate map either, odds are he won’t be completely drawn out as this Shimkus seat will most assuredly will.
Plummer has a real chance to keep proving to folks like me we had him wrong, and after the Congressional remap in a cycle or two Plummer may get his chance again. Plummer’s age with an actual base of a seat allows him more long term chances. Plummer is beginning a career, not looking for a capstone.
If the powers in DC aren’t looking at ya, that’s fine. I stand by my long held belief, run ‘em all. But, it would be a real shame if Plummer ran against the consensus, won, then was basically drawn away, and not really able to go back.
Hopefully not loudly hearing about an announcement means Plummer is weighing options, and being cautions.
One race at a time, but ignoring pitfalls isn’t all that great either.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:33 am
Sanguinetti is a Raunerite by association or directly. If she wants to attack Ives for a federal gig by using a state politician, surely Ives can do the same with Sanguinetti by tying her to Rauner.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:33 am
- Steve -
Unless you know what the “guys down the street” are thinking, you’re trolling, no different than Kass and his thoughts on Lisa Madigan or other conspiracies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:35 am
Slip and Sue is nothing of a Republican nor a conservative.
Slip and Sue was hired to be a Raunerite, who just as well coulda been hired to work for Pat Quinn. Her emails tell quite a bit.
Rewarding Slip and Sue with this nomination would be a sad thing after this state wholly rejected Raunerism.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:37 am
The Sanguinetti vs. Ives saga is hilarious and sad at the same time.
They are both caricatures of themselves. Although ineffective Ives was elected to the house. Sanguinetti was more of a prop.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:38 am
===Sanguinetti was more of a prop.===
This is the correct answer.
She was constantly missing, was no where during the 2 year impasse, and was a loud cheerleader for the pain when she did speak. How many press conferences, even as that prop, did Rauner not have her around? Too many.
She made out good with Rauner hiring her. Maybe she can work for Bruce again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:40 am
Support Ives in this race, for loyalty. Rauner treated people abominably and cravenly, putting them in an impossible position in his war on Madigan and betraying them on abortion when they could not continue his budget sabotage. They took the tough budget and revenue votes for him. He fired his staff for his own faults. He also looked to bail on the GOP in last year’s election by trying to find a candidate to replace him.
Sanguinetti’s going for the Raunerite smear. Go get ‘er, Jeanne.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 10:53 am
I could be wrong, but I did a quick check of a database of voters and I did not find a Sarah Frey registered in Wayne County or anywhere in the 15th. Nor is there any registration of a Sarah Frey-Talley anywhere in Illinois. Interesting, but I would not swear to this being a fact.
Comment by illini Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:09 am
OW
There’s no trolling on this subject. By this time next year, we probably might have a trial concerning the Alderman Ed Burke situation (unless he pleads guilty). Also, it’s highly probable that by this next year more politicians than just Alderman Ed Burke will be indicted. Whether that changes the Illinois state politics dynamics is a matter of who and what happens. But, if you believe only Ed Burke will indicted from this investigation than I guess it’s trolling.
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:16 am
===Jeanne Ives “is Mike Madigan’s favorite Republican.”===
Slip and Sue is wholly dishonest, not only about this, but about herself. If she were to win and run with Trump, the personal trolling of herself is a mockery of her own story, and that part would be deliciously awful.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:18 am
“ The SBA List, which is nearly a million members strong, supports candidates committed to defending life at all stages and to promotion laws that save lives.”
Oh yea, I’m sure they’re pro-maternal health and pro-health-care for all and anti-death penalty. What, they’re not? I see. Pro-life until the moment of birth. Yup - that kind of supposed pro-life.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:18 am
One lost against rauner, other lost with rauner. Who’s Rauners favorite republican?
Comment by Rabid Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:18 am
===we probably might===
So you have NO clue. You’re saying that. Right here.
Stop.
===Also, it’s highly probable that by this next year more politicians than just Alderman Ed Burke will be indicted.===
Yeah, this is trolling of things you have zero idea about.
This is Kassian type of silliness. Watch what does happen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:20 am
Ives is not a Madigan stooge. It’s outrageous to call her that. Hoping Ives gets the better of this race and battle.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:21 am
OW
Grand juries don’t meet forever . They have time limits on them, for you rookies out there.
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:25 am
===Grand juries don’t meet forever . They have time limits on them, for you rookies out there.===
Grand juries aren’t required to indict, for all those rookies out there, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:30 am
OW
Grand juries aren’t required to indict: but they often due.
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:31 am
Not sure Evelyn wants to go down the rabbit hole of Mike Madigan’s favorite politician. Bruce had unlimited money to spend and deliver that message. Which was on TV and in mail endlessly during the campaign.
Jeanne won Dupage and Kane County over Bruce in the primary even with the Madigan message. She lost Cook but I didn’t drill down to the Northwest suburbs side of the Cook numbers. The bulk of the GOP base in this election is in DuPage.
Evelyn has a problem if this is her actual message.
Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:34 am
===but they often due.===
… and you’re sure about this one?
Please stop. I fed you. Take the day to register to vote and understand your Kassian ways, lol
To the Post,
I know zero about Ms. Frey and her political philosophies or her take on Trump. Nothing. Nada.
All that said, a downstate female, business-person, deciding to make a run? Welp, ok. At least she’s not another angry, middle aged, white male? That’s all I have until I learn a bit more.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:35 am
And Evelyn Sanguinetti is nobody’s favorite Republican.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:38 am
I don’t agree with Jeanne Ives on a lot of things, but she is consistent on her positions on issues. Meanwhile, her campaign style is a “pit-bull attack”, not afraid to take on anyone. She took on Rauner when most other “Republican” politicians were too afraid to do anything except go along in lockstep with whatever Rauner wanted.
Comment by DuPage Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 11:54 am
And if there’s anything this country needs, it’s some more of that.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 12:38 pm
I thought Sarah Freys pumpkin patch was mostly in Indiana…and she lived there.
Comment by flea Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 12:39 pm
Does all stages of like include 14 and pregnant?
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 1:07 pm
This pumpkin person sounds like an even better recruit - if the ILGOP wants a woman in the seat - than Harold. Maybe they have some game after all.
Comment by DarkHorse Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 2:50 pm
===I did not find a Sarah Frey registered in Wayne County===
Sarah Talley. She’s registered and a voter.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 3:15 pm
Is Slip&Sue leaking on Sweaty Palms to damage the CommandoJeane…what a clown car parking lot the GOPies have.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 3:18 pm
OW
I’m “two years Danny Solis ” sure. Along with “complex and unusual investigation ” sure.
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 3:31 pm
===I’m “two years Danny Solis ” sure. Along with “complex and unusual investigation ” sure.===
Both are not new revelations.
Do better.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 23, 19 @ 3:33 pm