Rep. Robin Kelly has the edge for new Democratic Party of Illinois chair

WASHINGTON — As of Tuesday night, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., has the edge over Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris (8^th) to be the next Democratic Party of Illinois chairman.

State Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, is also in the mix.

Scandalized and under a federal public corruption probe, now former state party chair Mike Madigan on Monday gave up the party gavel he’s kept in a stranglehold since 1998.

But the players in the state knew the day was coming when Madigan would have to step down.

Behind the scenes, there’s been talk about Madigan’s replacement going on among three powerful officials: Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Takeaways:

* After being led by white men forever, I am told by multiple sources there is consensus that the next DPI chair should be a female of color. Kelly and Harris are Black women. Castro is Hispanic.

* Everyone is out of practice when it comes to selecting a Democratic Party of Illinois chair and replacing Madigan quickly became messy.

The party chair is chosen by a “weighted” vote — based on Democratic vote totals — of the 36-member state central committee, two each from the 18 congressional districts in Illinois.

Harris has the backing of Pritzker and Duckworth, who will lead the statewide ticket in 2022. Durbin is supporting Kelly. The Pritzker team disagrees that Kelly is in the lead, according to their private tally.

* Castro is endorsed by Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Ill., a state central committee member. He said in a statement, “Leadership and representation matter; we have an opportunity to select a chair that will be strategic about the changing electorate and inclusive when it comes to shaping the future of the Illinois Democratic Party in Senator Cristina Castro ”

* This is the first significant split between Duckworth and her mentor, Durbin, responsible for her career in politics. They have a deep, strong and profoundly enduring relationship. This party chairman family flap is a hiccup.

* A press release sent out by the gov’s team shortly after Madigan’s announcement on Monday — highlighting the Pritzker and Duckworth backing for Harris — had Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s name on it. It was simply a mistake.

* However, that Pritzker sent out an endorsement so fast irked some folks, I am told.

* Even if Pritzker jumped the gun with the release, he is entitled to — as are Durbin and Duckworth — a say in who should lead the party.

* Getting real: Based on his past giving, Pritzker could be expected to donate tens of his millions to the party for the 2022 cycle with Harris as the chair.

But it does not abrogate the obligation of a state party chair to fundraise. Kelly has a strong track record in raising substantial money. Harris, also the 8^th Ward Democratic committeeman, does not.

As of Dec. 31, Kelly’s main federal political committee had a balance of $1 million after raising $1.6 million in the 2019-2020 cycle.

Harris’ 8^th Ward pot had a balance as of Dec. 31 of $110,886 with $5,000 of that from one of Madigan’s political funds. Her tiny campaign fund had about $2,500 cash-on-hand.

* Why Kelly has a robust running start: She knows the state and local and national politics. Her 2^nd Congressional District is urban, rural and suburban, just like Illinois. She’s a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria. She’s a former state representative. She’s run statewide. She’s had top management jobs in the office of the state Treasurer and Cook County government.

* Harris, a career alderman, is not well known among her 35 DPI peers, and Monday was a bit late to start making pals.

* I am told Lightfoot was amenable to Harris, her City Council floor leader, before she knew that Kelly was jumping in the contest. Kelly was an early Lightfoot mayoral backer. The mayor as of Tuesday is staying out of this.

* Spokesmen for the state party confirmed Tuesday that Madigan remains a member of the state central committee, so he will have a say in choosing his successor. Madigan is three for four posts: He’s out as Speaker, House member and party chair.

* Relationships: A Michelle Harris daughter, Loren, is the Chicago district director for Duckworth and has worked in her Senate office for years.

Bill Houlihan, a state central committee member, is the state director for Durbin’s Senate office and has been with Durbin for more than two decades.