The Democratic Party of Illinois says it'll meet later this month to consider slating statewide candidates in next year's election. But at least one of those candidates thinks its a bad idea.
It's been rare for the state Democratic Party to get involved in recent primary elections. That makes the announcement of the meeting something of a surprise.
Democratic Party chairman Mike Madigan — you may also know him as speaker of the Illinois House — says the meeting will give the candidates an opportunity to "convey the strengths they bring to the ticket."
But the campaign of at least one of those candidates — Bill Daley, who's running for governor — says he think's the party is making a mistake.
"The Democratic Party of Illinois should allow its voters to hear more about the candidates for governor and their choices for lieutenant governor before selecting a candidate for endorsement," says campaign manager Tom Bowen.
He says the party should not endorse anyone. Daley is taking on Gov. Pat Quinn in what's become the only contested statewide Democratic primary so far.
The Quinn campaign says it will seek the endorsement. "We believe the Democratic Party of Illinois should support the incumbent Democratic governor," a spokeswoman says in an e-mail.
Quinn has already been slated by the Cook County Democratic Party; Daley did not seek that endorsement.
