Illinois Tenth Dem Primary: Ilya Sheyman reacts to Tree

WASHINGTON–Illinois Democratic House hopeful Ilya Sheyman, running in

the tenth congressional district, said the late entry of John Tree into the

primary contest was a move by “Chicago political bosses.”

Story on Tree and his video announcement are HERE

Sheyman statement: “Even as Chicago political bosses launched a last-ditch, desperate effort to push another candidate into the race just weeks before the petition filing deadline, venerable Illinois Congressman Danny Davis added his name to the growing list of supporters of progressive community organizer Ilya Sheyman’s campaign on Thursday.”

BELOW, from Sheyman….

Illinois Congressman Danny K. Davis Endorses Ilya Sheyman for Congress in Illinois’ 10th District

Davis adds name to growing list of Sheyman’s backers statewide in race to turn 10th District Democratic in 2012

WAUKEGAN (November 10, 2011)–Even as Chicago political bosses launched a last-ditch, desperate effort to push another candidate into the race just weeks before the petition filing deadline, venerable Illinois Congressman Danny Davis added his name to the growing list of supporters of progressive community organizer Ilya Sheyman’s campaign on Thursday.

In a clear indication that Sheyman has achieved front-runner status, Sheyman now has more support from federal elected officials and local leaders than any other candidate, and is the only candidate in the race with support from organized labor or national progressive organizations.

“It’s becoming increasingly apparent that the old school, business-as-usual political establishment is worried about our campaign,” said Sheyman Campaign Manager Annie Weinberg. “They’re worried because they see our massive field operation, with over 350 volunteers out on the doors. They’re worried because we’ve got broad-based support from local and national leaders like Rep. Danny Davis, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., and former Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean. But really, they’re worried because they know that Ilya is a candidate who they can’t control or buy off. Ilya always been independent. He’s never been afraid to buck the status quo. That’s exactly what we’ve done in this campaign, and it’s exactly how we’ll win this primary and beat Rep. Dold in November.”

Sheyman, a Jewish immigrant from the former Soviet Union and Waukegan-based community organizer, is running on the Democratic ticket to beat Republican Rep. Robert Dold in Illinois’ 10th District.

“In my nearly 15 years in the United States Congress, I’ve rarely seen a candidate build as powerful a grassroots campaign as Ilya Sheyman’s in the 10th District,” said Rep. Davis. “Ilya shares my commitment to solving the jobs crisis, one of the most urgent and pressing issues facing our communities today. He’s an exceptional leader and a real progressive, and he’ll be an excellent addition to the Illinois Congressional Delegation as we fight in Washington to put the people of Illinois back to work.”

Rep. Davis is one of the most senior members of the Illinois Delegation, having served the state’s 7th District for over 15 years. He has been a leader in several Congressional caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus, the Progressive Caucus, the Urban Caucus and the Community Health Centers Caucus. He has also been at the forefront of the effort to solve the nation’s unemployment crisis.

“Rep. Davis’ endorsement today is another signal that this campaign is a moving train, and that national and local leaders are ready to get on board to beat Republican Rep. Bob Dold,” said Sheyman, who last week was endorsed by Reps. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Jesse Jackson, Jr. of Illinois’ 2nd District. “Congressman Davis shares my dedication to creating good jobs and putting the people of Illinois back to work in these tough economic times. It will be an honor to serve alongside him in Washington.”

In addition to Reps. Davis, Jackson, Ellison and Grijalva, Sheyman has the support of former Democratic National Committee Chair Gov. Howard Dean, as well as MoveOn.org, whose 12,000 members in the 10th District recently voted to endorse him. Sheyman has also been endorsed by Democracy for America, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 73, the International Longshoremen’s Association–AFL-CIO, and Mike McGue, the president of the Lake County Federation of Teachers.

To learn more about Rep. Danny K. Davis, please visit http://davisforcongress.us/.

For more information about Ilya Sheyman’s campaign for Congress, please visit www.sheymanforcongress.com or contact Joanna Klonsky at 312-307-0840.