Race to replace Jesse Jackson Jr.: Toi Hutchinson’s campaign team

SHARE Race to replace Jesse Jackson Jr.: Toi Hutchinson’s campaign team

WASHINGTON—State Sen Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields)–running to replace now former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.–has put together a campaign team with a lot of experience running Illinois congressional races. This means a very serious bid is in the works–no matter who is slated by Democratic party bosses.

The field for the special primary election in the 2nd congressional district of Illinois is still taking shape. Whoever is the victor in the February Democratic primary will win the seat in the district so heavily Democratic Jackson easily won re-election even after disappearing last June.

Here is team Hutchinson, from the campaign…

“Polling: Jill Normington of Normington, Petts and Associates. Jill, based in Washington DC is a nationally respected pollster. Her recent Illinois clients include Congressman-elect Brad Schneider, Congresswoman-elect Tammy Duckworth and former Congresswoman Mellissa Bean.

“Direct Mail: Terry Walsh and Pete Giangreco of The Strategy Group. Terry and Pete, based in Evanston, have worked for the past four Democratic nominees for President of the United States including as top advisors to Barack Obama. Their recent Illinois clients include Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Congressman Mike Quigley, Congressman-elect Bill Foster and Congresswoman-elect Tammy Duckworth.

“Media: Ken Snyder and Terrie Pickerill of SP Media Group. Ken and Terrie, based in Chicago, are national media consultants. Their recent Illinois clients include Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Congresswoman-elect Tammy Duckworth, Congressman-elect Bill Enyart and the Illinois Senate Democrats.

“New Media: Mark Nevins, Allison Osborne, and Aaron Hunter of the Dover Group. With offices in Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Las Vegas the Dover Group is among the biggest names in managing social media and web based campaigns in Democratic politics. They’ve built award-winning online programs for candidates and campaigns across the country.

“Research: Will Caskey of Third Coast. Will, based in Chicago, is a national opposition researcher. His Illinois clients include the successful special elections of Congressman Mike Quigley and Congressman-Elect Bill Foster, as well as Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle.

“Campaign Manager: Vlad Gutman

“Finance Director: Devin Rankin, a veteran of several congressional and statewide races

“Deputy Finance Director: Sharon Weber, on leave from Nancy Kohn Consulting

“Field Director: Maura Tracy, most recently Brad Schneider’s Field Director”

CALLING ALL SECOND DISTRICT CANDIDATES: Send in your staff and consultant team and we’ll be glad to post your vitals.

The Latest
Only two days after an embarrassing loss to lowly Washington, the Bulls put on a defensive clinic against Indiana.
One woman suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. In each incident, the four to five men armed with rifles, handguns and knives, approached victims on the street in Logan Square, Portage Park, Avondale, Hermosa threatened or struck them before taking their belongings, police said.
For as big of a tournament moment as Terrence Shannon Jr. is having, it hasn’t been deemed “madness” because, under the brightest lights, he has been silent.
This year, to continue making history, the Illini will have to get past No. 2-seeded Iowa State.