Democratic Senate, comptroller candidates pitch for Cook County party’s support

CHICAGO (WGN) — Democrats vying for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s Senate seat made their pitch to Cook County Democratic leaders on Friday, as the party also backed a new candidate for state comptroller.

It was an opportunity to shine before members of the Cook County Democratic Party Committee as several candidates declared their intent to run for state comptroller. The party leaders were all under one roof at Local 134 on the South Side, hearing from candidates running for elected state office and those vying for the highly sought-after U.S. Senate seat.

Top runners in the U.S. Senate race are Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly, who, a source says, stayed in Washington, D.C., for an early morning vote and missed her flight home, missing Friday’s meeting. 

Krisnamoorthi, who is currently leading in fundraising with about $21 million, says holding the Trump administration accountable and helping residents meet their economic needs would be his top priorities in the Senate. 

“First of all, we have to hold accountable those that are actually voting for these cuts. Secondly, we Democrats have to run on a message and agenda of doing whatever we can to reverse, stall, throw sand in the gears, and delay these particular cuts,” Krisnamoorthi said.

Lt. Governor Stratton, who has the support of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, says if she is elected to represent the state in Washington, she plans to help break up the status quo. 

“I’m talking to voters all across the state, and they are looking me in the eye and saying, ‘I am looking for someone to stand up and be a fighter for me.’ They want to see the same kind of energy that they’re bringing as they protest in the streets against the chaos that’s coming out of Washington,” Stratton said. 

Following Wednesday’s announcement that current Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza would not seek re-election, Several candidates, including Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, former state Senator Ricky Hendon, Champaign County Auditor George Danos, 25th District State Senator Karina Villa, and 12th District Representative Margaret Croke, who received the committee’s endorsement, want the spot. 

“We are at a critical time for our state’s future. You need someone in this role who can be fiscally responsible,” Croke said.

During the meeting, long-time Congressman Danny Davis announced that while he’s not retiring, it’s on his mind.

“I’m not saying that I’m going to retire just yet,” Davis said. “What I am saying is that I am thinking about it, and I will decide it in the next seven to eight days.”