January 23, 2006
The Futures Market: Illinois
A number of our '03 stars are either on their way up or building bases to move up eventually. Meanwhile, Dems face an embarrasment of riches in IL 04, where Rep. Luis Gutierrez's (D) expected '07 bid for Chicago Mayor may pit a number of rising minority stars against one another. In all, though, both IL parties managed to field a candidate in each CD (see 12/20/05's Hotline). And looking at the quality of both parties' benches, that trend may continue. [REID WILSON]
The stars we've been watching since '03
- State Rep. Beth Coulson (R): Elected in a Dem district, she just keeps winning. "Always going to be a target, but she's definately somebody to look towards in the future." "Will probably look to go to DC" eventually.
- State Sen. Dan Cronin (R): Considered a statewide bid and a congressional bid before deciding against runs. "I think he's got some ambition."
- State House Min Leader Tom Cross (R): Helped pick up a seat in '04, going to face some big challenges in '06. "Has a great future." He's closely aligned with Speaker Dennis Hastert and has been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Hastert when he retires.
- State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R): Running for LG. Some say he's "one of the frontrunners," but others call him "kind of a joke right now."
- State Sen. Dan Rutherford (R): We met him as a State Rep., and now he's running for Sec/State. "He is a great candidate and a great party builder." "He's got an uphill battle in front of him," but he's "energetic." Could be setting himself up for a run against Sen. Dick Durbin (D) in '08 or a statewide bid in '10.
- DuPage Co. Board Chair Robert Schillerstrom (R): Has over $1M in his campaign war chest. He occasionally floats his name for some races, but if he's going to have a future, he "needs to build his downstate connections."
- State Treas. Judy Baar Topinka (R): Running for Gov, leading in the polls at the moment. Conservatives don't like her, but "Judy is an establishment" GOPer in IL, "and establishment" GOPers "win."
- State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D): The first Hispanic legislator elected outside Cook County, LaVia had considered a bid for Congress early in '05. She may well run in the future.
- State Sen. James Clayborne Jr. (D): "He's been eclipsed a little bit by some newer guys," but he's still a factor in the legislature.
- State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D): Served as Gov. Rod Blagojevich's (D) floor leader, and "that hasn't been the easiest task," but he's "still hanging on."
- State Rep. Susan Mendoza (D): Currently considered one of the front-runners for Rep. Luis Gutierrez's (D) IL 04 seat if he runs for Mayor of Chicago in '08, as expected. "The arrow is up on her."
- Alderman Todd Stroger (D): Not considered a rising star.
- State Sen. John Sullivan (D): Retiring in '06.
And the ones to watch in the future:
- Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole (R): "Very politically savvy," he was recently appointed the the state GOP central cmte. His only downside: He served in the admin of ex-Gov. George Ryan (R), "which could hurt him."
- State Rep. Jim Watson (R): An Iraqi war vet, Watson was briefly considered as a running mate by Topinka. "Given his age, he has a long future in the party." Could be a candidate to replace Reps. Ray LaHood (R) or John Shimkus (R)."
- State Rep. Aaron Shock (R): At age 19, Shock beat the President of his local school board. Now 23, Shock is seeking his second term from heavily Dem Peoria. He faces what will be one of the most expensive re-election bids in the state.
- State Rep. Roger Eddy (R): "Well-liked, respected on both sides of the aisle." A possible future candidate for Congress.
- Alderman Ed Smith (D): While he's older than others on the list, Smith just passed a smoking ban in Chicago, over the objections of Mayor Richard Daley (D). He's currently pondering a county-wide bid for office in '08.
- State Sen./Rev. James Meeks (D): A strong ally of Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., (D), Meeks "has become a real powerhouse very quickly in the" legislature. Is considered a possible future mayoral or congressional candidate.
- Alexi Giannoulias (D): A former college basketball star at Boston University, Giannoulias comes from a banking family. Now, at 29, he's making a run for State Treas.
- Madison Co. State's Atty Bill Mudge (D): Is considered one of the front-runners when Rep. Jerry Costello (D) retires in IL 12.
Posted at 08:38 AM
Comments
The Chicago Mayor race is in 2007, not 2008
Howie | 01.23.06 02:58 PM
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I think I would have to argue that you would have to add
1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores
State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago)
State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago)
State Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park)
Angelo "Skip" Saviano (R-Elmwood Park)
Jack Rabbit Slim | 01.23.06 06:56 PM
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I commend the effort, but you're way off on some of these. Mendoza is an also-ran who won't even be in the race in '07. The previous poster is pretty much dead-on. Saviano is the most effective Republican in the House, Fritchey is a star that can pretty much pick his next office, and Harmon has a whole lot of upside as well.
Real Chicagoan | 01.23.06 10:57 PM
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Also look at the stars that faded:
State Sen. Steven Rauschenberger (R)
(Crazy move to join failing Gidwitz campaign)
State Sen. Susan Garrett (D)
(Didn't run for Congress, spending most time in California now)
Phil O'Hara | 01.24.06 07:52 AM
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Sen. John Sullivan is not retiring. Not sure where you got that.
Rich Miller | 01.25.06 05:46 PM
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I don't know everyone on the list but I definitely agree with some of the women on the list. Rep. Coulsen has literally saved babies' lives with her legislation and I can't imagine anyone beating her in her district. Rep. Mendoza would be an excellent choice for Congress. She's articulate, energetic and is known for being a well-liked and effective legislator who takes on serious issues and gets results. Her arrow has got to be way up. From what I hear of Rep. Chapa La Via, she's well-liked too and nearly impossible to beat. I think she's an officer in the Army too. Go girls!
Elizabeth Moens | 01.27.06 11:46 AM
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I truely believe that the top up and comers in Illinois politics are a ;
1.State Rep. Susan Mendoza(Great looking and very smart, and able to build consensus!);
2.State Rep. Chapa La Via(Also drop dead gorgeous and extremely smart and able to get things done);
3.Sate Rep. Toni Berrios(very smart,and works hard for her district)
4.Emma Lozano(Community Activist and and able to change elections)
4.Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado( Hard worker,great thinker and an activist);
5.State Rep. Skip Saviano(known in Illinois Politics as the "Hammer", smart,efficient and consensus builder truely can bring the Republicans back to Power if they(Republicans) can get rid of that dead horse named Tom Cross);
5.Ray Frias(ex- Alderman and State Rep.);
6. Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica(fighting to make Cook County a Republican bastion,);
7.Alderman Tony Banks(popular and strong leadership skills);
8.State Rep. Cynthia Soto(smart and hard working);
9.Alderman Manny Flores(very bright and able to cross over);
10.Dr. Frank J. Yanez(smart,dedicated community activist who can easily cross over and brings big money to the table);
11.Congressman Luis Guiterrez(possible Mayoral bid in the Future);
12.Sate Sen. Dan Cronin(can bring credibilty back to the Republicans);
13. Dupage Conty President Schillerstrom(Can be next Republican Governor);
14.Chris Nybo(Dupage Attorney ans Republican leader,next State Rep.?)
15.Andy McKenna(Republican Party Chair can possibly run against Durbin?)
16.Bill Hogan(Republican Activist and Party insider)
Cuban | 01.30.06 04:38 PM
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What about state Sen. Rick Winkel (R-Champaign)? If he can get that DA position over Darin LaHood, might that set him up to take over Tim Johnson's (R-15) seat when Johnson leaves in a couple terms?
Jeremy | 02.14.06 02:11 PM
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I agree with the list that Cuban made but I would strike out Mendoza and Frias, they are too into the HDO baggage.
robert | 03.09.06 11:01 PM
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My husband and I voted for you and are very schocked that you uphold smoking, we lost a
dear Mother, Brother, Dad and many cousins from
lung cancer. cause smoking may if you loose a
loved one you will change your mind.
sorry you got our vote, will be the last time.
Willa | 04.27.07 08:33 PM
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Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
sweeta-kq | 03.27.08 02:40 AM
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Sorry, but what is kimerikas?
Jane.
sweeta-kq | 03.27.08 02:40 AM
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