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Another Democrat Enters Race For Governor As Labor Endorses Billionaire

Scott Drury
ILGA.gov

Democratic state Rep. Scott Drury, from the Chicago suburb of Highwood, is entering the race for Illinois governor.

Drury is the only Democrat in a generation who did not vote in favor of Michael Madigan to be speaker of the House. He says that proves an independence the other candidates lack.

“I have battle scars from doing that," Drury said in a telephone interview. “And you know the others can say it, but their history just doesn’t back that up."

He says it’s no good to have one man with such a tight grip on the Democratic Party — and likewise with Gov. Bruce Rauner calling the shots for Republicans.

“So you have two people making the decisions for the entire state, and people no longer feel represented in their representative government,” Drury said.

Meanwhile on Monday, another Democratic candidate got a major union endorsement. The AFL-CIO says billionaire investor J.B. Pritzker is their choice to beat Rauner, who’s agenda has sought to weaken labor.

Other Democratic candidates include state Sen. Daniel Biss, Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar, businessman Chris Kennedy, and Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Bob Daiber. I’m Brian Mackey.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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