Illinois Democrats open door to input on gubernatorial candidates

Posted on January 27, 2017
Bruce Rauner
Gov. Rauner has $50 million in his campaign war chest for a reelection bid in 2018. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By RFD Radio

SPRINGFIELD – Since U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin opted not to join the 2018 governor’s race, it’s been a muddled picture as far as who will seek the Democratic nomination and who could be a viable opponent to Bruce Rauner.

The Illinois Democratic County Chairman’s Association has launched an online gubernatorial straw poll of its members and Democrats who join the organization online. Association President Doug House notes with Rauner recently putting $50 million of his money into his re-election campaign fund, Democrats don’t have the luxury of waiting.

“When the governor puts so much money into this and starts running televised campaigns against candidates six months in advance of the election, it accelerates the process,”House said.

The candidates included in the first straw poll are (in alphabetical order):

* State Senator Daniel Biss
* Congresswoman Cheri Bustos
* Congresswoman Robin Kelly
* Chris Kennedy
* State Senator Andy Manar
* Alderman Ameya Pawar
* J.B. Pritzker
* State Senator Kwame Raoul
* Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers

The straw poll will run until midnight on Jan. 29.

IDCCA intends to conduct several more polls to continue drawing attention to the Democratic primary race for governor.

Voting link http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07edqhemzkiy8ustps/start

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