JB Pritzker Opened A Campaign Office In Town Today

[JimGinPA]

He's running for Governor of Illinois. We went down and met him and Lt. Governor candidate Juliana Stratton this morning. They both seem like good candidates. I don't know a lot about them except for his ads (which are pretty convincing). One thing I did like was that JB wouldn't badmouth Chris Kennedy (who I get emails from almost daily). I'll support whoever ends up running, but if any DUer's that are here in Illinois have more information about them I'd appreciate it. I just moved back to Southern Illinois after the election and I'm not very informed on state politics.

[murielm99]

1. Pritzker is a very rich man,

a billionaire. He seems to be spending a lot of his own money.

He has the support of the labor unions. He wants a public option for health insurance. He seems to be a good candidate. I have met him. He is personable and well informed.

I am supporting Kennedy, but I will vote for Pritzker if he wins the primary, which seems likely.

Currently, we have nine Democrats running for governor ... so far.

[JimGinPA]

2. Wow! Thanks!

I've been kind of caught up in national politics since November.


I really like our two Senators but our congress-critter is a RW ass - Bost. I joined a Facebook page (Friends of Indivisible 12th) a few weeks ago & I'm trying to get up to speed.

[murielm99]

4. I have not joined any of the resistance movements here

in my county, but I have attended meetings and gone on protest walks. I am still very active in working with Democrats in Carroll, Lee and Whiteside Counties. I will work for individual candidates, but I am not interested in a leadership role. I am running for precinct committeeman, and will stay active in my precinct and help GOTV in my area. I turned 69 yesterday, and I think it is time for younger people to take on those jobs. I will work with them, but that is all. Most of them are far better at using all types of social media than I am.

I find many of the newer groups to be quite naive. They haven't yet figured out how politics work in this state. I think many of them may fall away in the next two to five years. They will not get everything they want in 2018, and they will get discouraged. I have seen this happen many times over my fifty plus years as an activist.

If you decide to join some newer or already established group, let me know. I am always interested in what other Democrats in Illinois are doing. I am in Ogle County.

[murielm99]

5. Where are you located?

Southern Illinois?

[JimGinPA]

6. Near Belleville...

I grew up around here but I lived in Pennsylvania, in & near Lancaster, for the last 30 years.

[Wounded Bear]

3. K & R ......we need more Dems...nt

[LuvLoogie]

7. I've met Chris Kennedy a few times, briefly, in the course of my doing work in his office

at the Merchandise Mart. I think he got in and announced early because he felt he had a duty to oppose Rauner. It did not seem like anyone else would take up the reins.

I think Pritzker's messaging has been better. He seems more enthusiastic as well. My head leans Pritzker; my heart leans Kennedy.

I think Pritzker beats Rauner handily. I think it's close if it's Kennedy.

[former9thward]

8. Pritzker has been hit in the Chicago area over "toiletgate"

He bought a mansion next door to his and tore out the toilets. That made it "uninhabitable" according to the tax rules and so he got a huge property tax reduction because of it. So everyone else has to pay his share. The commercials just write themselves with that episode. I was at the Chicago Federation of Labor, Labor Day lunch on Wednesday, and both Pritzker and Kennedy got about equal applause. But Pritzker is willing to spend more money on the race so we will see.

[AngryAmish]

9. I have been a lifelong Democrat in Illinois.

This one I sit out. I wonder who is a mark enough to donate to the billionaires? Actually, the ones who donated expect something if they are not marks. But there are some suckers out there. There always are.

[grantcart]

11. Mr Pritzker is self funding his campaign and is not seeking donations

[grantcart]

10. Pritzker family was close to Clinton's but became major supporters of Obama

Penny Pritzger was Secretary of Commerce under the President and they remain close personal friends. The Pritzger family owned the Hyatt hotel chain.

Their ongoing investment company assists large public employee unions invest and is considered the top company in its field.

[AngryAmish]

12. I always liked Missy Hyatt.

[Tatiana]

13. My heart and my primary vote is going to Kennedy.

I like his stands on the issues, including public education and the economy. I also think that he, like Hillary, would deliver great governance, but just doesn't have the charm required of most politicians. I do believe can lead us to getting our financial house back in order.

However, either of the candidates are a thousand times better than mini-Trumpster Rauner. Plus, Pritzker can compete with Rauner's deep pockets. And he's likable.