Saturday, December 9, 2017

Chicago, IL – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth endorsed JB Pritzker for governor yesterday at a campaign event in Chicago. The senators join Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, the Illinois AFL-CIO and over 30 individual unions in supporting JB’s campaign.

Here’s what Illinoisans are reading and seeing in the news about the big endorsements:

From WQAD:

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth endorsed JB Pritzker for Illinois governor at a campaign event in Chicago today.

“I’m proud to endorse JB Pritzker for governor because he will be a strong partner and an effective leader for our state,” Durbin said. “I’ve spoken with all the Democratic candidates and heard their visions for our state, and JB has emerged as the clear choice for governor.”

Pritzker previously received endorsements from Secretary of State Jesse White, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.

“With JB, I know I’ll have a partner in the governor’s office who will work to create good jobs, help give veterans the support and opportunity they deserve, and make sure every child gets a quality education,” Duckworth said.

From WMAQ:

Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker picked up two huge endorsements on Friday, as Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth both added their support to his campaign.

“I will be in charge,” Pritzker said at the campaign event. “I won’t standby mealy-mouthed.”

Pritzker, considered one of the frontrunners for the Democratic nomination to take on incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner, held an event Friday afternoon to announce the endorsements, which are the biggest ones he’s added to his campaign during the primary season.

From WGN:

From WSIL:

From WICD:

From KLJB:

From WHBF:

From CLTV:

From Chicago Sun-Times:

“From Chicago to Cairo, J.B. has been listening and talking about how best to address the challenges facing our communities every day,” Duckworth said. “He has fought for our state and our families and now it’s time for us to fight for him.”

The move deals a blow to candidates Chris Kennedy and State Sen. Daniel Biss, who are the other top fundraisers for the March primary. […]

“We need a governor who will put behind us the tragedy of that budget crisis that hurt us all across this state,” Durbin said. “We need to stand together in this campaign.”

In his speech, Pritzker continued to rail against Rauner — mocking Rauner’s comment earlier this week that he doesn’t control the state.

“As candidates, as elected officials, of all the things we owe you, the most important thing is acknowledgement of our responsibility to you,” Prizker said. “If I’m elected, when it comes time to pass a budget I will work with every elected official in Springfield and all the concerned citizens and social service agencies that make this state run.”

From Crain’s Chicago Business:

In a news conference and a joint statement today, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats, dropped their prior neutrality and joined other pols—such as Secretary of State Jesse White, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and state Treasurer Mike Frerichs—who earlier had endorsed Pritzker, too.

Pritzker “will be a strong partner and an effective leader,” said Durbin. “I’ve spoken with all the Democratic candidates and heard their vision for our state, and J.B. has emerged as the clear choice.”

Said Duckworth: “I know he is ready to fight for working families. . . .With J.B., I know I’ll have a partner in the governor’s office who will work to create good jobs, help give veterans the support and opportunity they deserve and make sure every child gets a quality education.” […]

And the backing is also an indication that the Pritzker bandwagon has begun to move in the polls, with neither of the other major candidates—businessman Chris Kennedy and state Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston—believed to be making much progress.

From Chicago Tribune:

Democratic U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth endorsed J.B. Pritzker’s bid for governor on Friday in an attempt to show some party unity behind a candidate beset by rivals’ criticisms and attacks by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Appearing at a brief rally at the Theater on the Lake, Pritzker, Durbin and Duckworth frequently encouraged unity as the billionaire entrepreneur and investor continued his efforts to link Rauner’s governorship to Donald Trump’s presidency.

“Illinois is coming together with a common purpose — beating Bruce Rauner,” Pritzker said. He called Durbin and Duckworth “two of our fiercest leaders in Washington to say we are uniting as Democrats and we are ready to win.”

The three criticized the first-term governor for failing to speak about issues affecting Illinoisans in Washington, including Republican-led efforts to change the federal tax code and repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

“While Sen. Durbin and Sen. Duckworth fight for us in Washington, Bruce Rauner is asleep at the wheel, letting Donald Trump have his way with us here in Illinois,” Pritzker said. “Together, we are united and ready for the fight.”

The endorsements were the latest in a series of high-profile statements of support for Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune. Among his supporters: all current Democratic statewide elected officials seeking re-election, the Democratic County Chairmen’s Association, the Cook County Democratic organization, the state AFL-CIO and several individual unions.

From State Journal-Register:

“I’ve spoken with all the Democratic candidates and heard their visions for our state, and J.B. has emerged as the clear choice for governor,” Durbin said in a statement.

“J.B. has traveled across Illinois, hearing from people in Rockford and Cairo, Macomb and Danville, and everywhere in between,” Durbin added. “He has thoughtful and comprehensive policy plans on the issues that matter to Illinoisans. He has shown continued support for immigrants and the Dream Act, protecting health care for all, and creating new and good paying jobs in Illinois.”

At an event in Chicago where both senators announced their backing of Pritzker, Duckworth said that especially with Republican President Donald Trump in the White House, Illinois needs a governor who will “choose people over politics.”

She also said the state “needs a governor who is in charge and takes responsibility” for the power of his office.

GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner earlier in the week told reporters he is “not in charge,” […]

From Illinois Public Media:

Illinois’ two Democratic U-S senators are taking sides in the primary for governor Friday. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are both endorsing businessman J.B. Pritzker.

According to a Pritzker campaign news release, Durbin said at a news conference Friday that Pritzker “will be a strong partner and an effective leader,” and was the “clear choice” among the Democratic candidate for governor.

The same release quoted Duckworth as saying Pritzker was “ready to fight for working families” and also work to help veterans and for children’s education. […]

Meanwhile, it’s a different story on the Republican side. Four congressmen have declined to endorse incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner. He’s being challenged from the right by state Rep. Jeanne Ives.

From WICS:

Democratic gubernatorial Candidate J.B Pritzker is getting a huge endorsement.

Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin both announced they are supporting Pritzker for the Democratic nomination.

The Senators said they believe Pritzker will fight for Illinois residents and be an effective leader for the state.

From Daily Kos:

On Friday, both Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth endorsed billionaire venture capitalist J.B. Pritzker. […]

There haven’t been many polls, but Pritzker is widely acknowledged as the primary frontrunner.

From WMAY:

More top Democrats are lining up behind governor candidate J.B. Pritzker. At an event in Chicago, Pritzker picked up the endorsement of both of Illinois’s U.S. senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.

Pritzker has been consolidating support among top statewide officeholders in an effort to squeeze out the rest of the crowded Democratic field for governor.

From Daily Northwestern:

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) endorsed J.B. Pritzker for governor at a Friday campaign event in Chicago.

They join other notable political figures who have endorsed Pritzker, including secretary of state Jesse White, state comptroller Susana Mendoza and state treasurer Mike Frerichs. The Illinois AFL-CIO and more than 30 independent unions have also endorsed the businessman, according to a Friday news release from Pritzker’s campaign.

“(Pritzker) has thoughtful and comprehensive policy plans on the issues that matter to Illinoisans,” Durbin said in the release. “He has shown continued support for immigrants and the Dream Act, protecting health care for all, and creating new and good paying jobs in Illinois — all things that will make Illinois stronger.”

Duckworth said in the release that she believes Pritzker (School of Law ’93) will work to create good jobs, give veterans support and opportunities and ensure equal education for children.