Madigan suspends campaign for Speaker

Posted on January 11, 2021
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago). (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By WJBC Staff and Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) released a statement Monday and said he has suspended his campaign for Speaker.

Madigan’s statement:

“This is not a withdrawal.

“I have suspended my campaign for Speaker.

“As I have said many times in the past, I have always put the best interest of the House Democratic Caucus and our members first.

“The House Democratic Caucus can work to find someone, other than me, to get 60 votes for Speaker.”

One might assume this would allow one of the 51 House Democrats who voted for Madigan to step up as a candidate. This would include – unlike the announced candidates – a person of color; the Black and Latino caucuses have been in support of Madigan, who has been speaker – except for 1995-96 – since 1983.

Reps. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) received 18 and 3 votes, respectively, in Sunday’s straw poll.

More caucusing, campaigning, and voting, are expected as the General Assembly’s lame duck session continues Monday and Tuesday.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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