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* This is a pretty good summary of what went on and how it could play out…
State senators gathered at the Best Western Hillside earlier this week to talk about rules for electing the chamber’s next president and to hear from the three contenders vying for the job that opens up when Sen. John Cullerton retires from the General Assembly later this month.
The candidates — Don Harmon, Kimberly Lightford and Elgie Sims (in alphabetical order, FYI) — impressed their colleagues. “They all had good ideas. It’s going to come down to leadership style,” one senator told Playbook. […]
Senators have good reason to hold back on their endorsements: They’re either angling for a leadership position with whoever will offer it, or they don’t want to risk alienating the next president if they align with a losing candidate. […]
Sims heads one group. He’s a former state representative who’s been a senator since 2018. He’s not likely to be named Senate president, but throwing his name in the ring gives him bargaining power for a leadership position. A few senators (at least two) have committed to Sims as president so that gives him a bloc that could sway the decision toward Harmon or Lightford. One thing to watch: If Sims announces his support early, it may signal who will win the presidency. Sims will support the winner.
The second group includes 11 moderate-to-conservative Democrats who call themselves the “X” Caucus because they couldn’t otherwise come up with a name. The group is loosely headed by state Sen. Steve Landek of the 12th District. Members are scheduled to meet next week to discuss the vote. What they decide coming out of that meeting could shift the game entirely.
A more progressive third group includes Sens. Omar Aquino, Robert Martwick, Robert Peters and Ram Villivalam.
Some senators in the three groups are also members of the Women’s, Black or Latino caucuses, which have their own priorities. And don’t forget the Republicans. If Democrats don’t come out of their caucus with the full support of one candidate, Republicans could muddle things when the full chamber meets to finalize the decision.
There’s also an unofficial generational alliance — senators who are skeptical of old-school politics and practices. Will that play out in the decision-making?
I just don’t think the Democrats will take this fight to the full chamber, but weirder things have happened. It’s also possible that a new candidate could emerge if none of the three garner enough votes, but it’s probably too early to say anything for sure.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 9:12 am
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This makes a whole lotta sense.
The republicans may talk a bit about wading in but I wonder if any of them really dumb enough AND crazy enough to risk democrats meddling with the minority leader vote?
Comment by Anonish Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 9:18 am
I’ve yet to see a list of the eleven X-men…anyone?
Comment by Southsider Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 9:33 am
It still seems farfetched to me, but republicans could avoid the risk of problems with the minority leader vote by agreeing with a subset of democrats to vote the same way on both leaders.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 9:58 am
- Robert the Bruce -
A great deal of trust would need to be secured, plus, all the Dems would be better suited to double cross on that deal and saddle the Raunerites with their worst option.
Good way to settle all family business and make intra-party peace is to then all agree to cripple the minority party.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 10:02 am
OW, agree. I should have said very farfetched. In this fantasyland, I wonder if they could vote on the minority leader first, or concurrently, or if that’s not allowed per chamber rules.
If my math is right, the X caucus plus republicans equals more than half the votes.
Still very farfetched.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 11:00 am
I don’t know much about these 3 contenders, and am admittedly also ignorant of ways to find their major accomplishments (major bills they’ve sponsored/co-sponsored/voted for).
Could anyone enlighten me?
Comment by Techie Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 11:39 am
I’m rooting for a three way race on the Dem side, and then Brady becomes President. That would be fun, eh?
Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 12:36 pm
==an unofficial generational alliance — senators who are skeptical of old-school politics and practices==
If they’re serious about that, I would think the remap would be a top issue.
Comment by Anonanonsir Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:08 pm