Chris Kennedy announces run for governor

[highplainsdem]

Source: Chicago Sun Times

Chris Kennedy, a member of the Kennedy political dynasty, announced today he has tossed his hat in the ring for Governor.

Kennedy, who has dipped his toe in the gubernatorial waters several times previously — only to pull out before officially announcing his candidacy — tells Sneed he is announcing his candidacy Wednesday afternoon.

-snip-

Kennedy, son of the late U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, has spent the past few months interviewing pollsters and consultants to prepare for a possible 2018 gubernatorial run.

-snip-

Kennedy, the former chairman of the Merchandise Mart, cofounded TOP BOX Foods in 2012 with his wife, Sheila. It is a nonprofit organization which sells fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy meats at a lower cost to under-served areas.

-snip-

Read more: http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chris-kennedy-announces-run-for-governor/

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[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Anybody but Rauner!

[Javaman]

2. This is the sane son. nt

[frazzled]

3. I wonder if that means

Dick Durbin will not run. There's been a lot of chatter about that—which perhaps is just wishful thinking we could get someone so popular and experienced that getting rid of Rauner would be almost a given. Part of me can't imagine and wouldn't want Durbin to leave the minority leadership at such a critical time; and part of me wouldn't blame him for giving up on that institution at the moment to come and save his home state from devastation.

I like Chris Kennedy, but he's never held office before (of course, neither had Rauner), though he has been elected chair of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. He also did a good job, imo, of running grandpa Joe's Merchandise Mart for a number of years. But I wonder if the Kennedy name is enough to create a landslide.

[Chicago1980]

5. When has Durbin even shown interest in being governor?

I've not heard any chatter about that.

[murielm99]

6. Durbin said months ago that he did not want to run for governor.

I was at a regional dinner for Democrats two years ago where Cheri Bustos mentioned the idea. Of course, we all liked it. I thought Cheri might make a good candidate herself. Maybe she is not well known enough statewide. And we do need her in Congress.

I think almost anyone might beat The Ruiner right now. His popularity numbers are lower than trump's.

[frazzled]

7. I see he said it November 17th--missed it

So thanks for letting me know. It seemed unlikely to me, but I do think he contemplated running if Clinton had won and if we had taken the Senate. Neither of which (sob) happened. I saw him on Chicago Tonight or something in the fall, where he was very coy about "not talking about it now." So I do think he may have been seriously considering it at one time.

[Corey_Baker08]

10. Well Trump Has Never Held Elected Office, To This Day...

Yet he occupies the White House

[frazzled]

11. Kennedy's not having held office is not a liability for me, personally

I was all set to support him in the primaries when he was considering running for the Senate in 2009, after Obama became president. I did not want Giannoulis to become the candidate. In the end, however, Kennedy decided not to run, and Giannoulis became the candidate. He lost to Republican Mark Kirk in 2010. Kennedy could have done no worse, and probably would have done better. As far as I know, his reputation is pretty spotless, though who knows what opponents will come up with.

I do wonder how others, however, will view his family name and resume. Right now, I'm excited about supporting him.

[dubyadiprecession]

4. I'm glad he doesn't take up after the Skakel's

[Thekaspervote]

8. You mean gov ruiner... ruiner is my name and ruining is my game go Chris!!!

We so desperately need a gov here in Il
Ruiner is a giant cog in the wheel

[Bengus81]

9. NO...make your run in Kansas!! We have an insane Repuke in Sam Brokeback that Trump

was supposed to take. He's nearly BK this State with ZERO income taxes for HUGE Corporations,smaller LLC etc. Yeah,that's ZERO since 2012. We're facing a BILLION $$$ shortfall by June 2018.

[Tatiana]

12. He has my vote! Anyone but that Trump-wannabe Rauner!

Chris will need to work on the charisma, but I think he can be a decent governor.

[PossiblePasts]

13. Some positive news! Rauner's got to go

I moved to IL in April of last year. Didn't realize what an ass clown Rauner is.

[yagotme]

14. Sorry you had to show up

in such a horribly run state. I'd say "Welcome to IL", but my heart wouldn't really be in it. Am thinking about moving out, myself.

[PossiblePasts]

16. I've lived all over

but this is the first time we've lived in IL. We also have a child with special needs, and the lack of services for her is appalling. She's going to be 16 in a few weeks, I have no clue what will happen to her when she becomes an adult-let alone when my husband and I are dead.

[yagotme]

18. Well, I hope the best for you and your family.

[Renew Deal]

15. What are his views on vaccinations?

[brooklynite]

17. Gee...I can remember when "dynasties" were a BAD thing...