* Two high-ranking House Democrats have confirmed ominous rumors that House Speaker Michael Madigan is suspending his re-election campaign so he does not stand in the way of anyone else trying to get to 60. More in a bit.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
House Chairman Michael J. Madigan released the following statement on Monday:
“It’s 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 interests 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 the speaker.”
… Add… Tribune …
By stepping aside, even though it is temporary, Madigan could possibly aim to show the broken caucus that no one else can get the necessary support.
I think that’s a big part of this, but I see no more than a small handful of members who voted against him yesterday and crawled back and asked him to save them. The harsh reality is that he can not turn 60. It’s not like a campaign where the person with the most votes wins. For Madigan, it’s like accepting an account. And 60 is the magic number.
* Back to the article …
While Madigan waits to see if an alternative can garner 60 votes from a very diverse caucus, it also opens the door to new candidates, including from the House Black and Latinx caucuses whose members overwhelmingly override the speaker’s re-election endorsed.
And women. Do not forget women.
The list of groups demanding the House elect a female speaker now includes: Illinois Democratic Women, We Will, Vote Mama, She Votes, Illinois NOW, Lake County Democratic Women, Northwest / North NOW, McHenry NOW, Resistor SisterHood, Democratic Women of McDonough County, Illinois Handmaids, Peoria NOU, Indivisible Oak Park, Friends Who March, Indivisible Illinois, Chicago NOU and Women’s March Chicago.
… Add… Press release…
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has released the following statement on the latest updates to the Speaker’s election:
‘With another 36 hours before the inauguration of a new General Assembly, Michael Madigan continues to create uncertainty and misrepresentation. His latest statement about suspending his bid on the speaker but not withdrawing is typical of his style and appears to be another gimmick or a headache. For the sake of the institution, his caucus must demand that he be direct and honest about his intentions – inside or out. ”
Good point.