State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), one of two openly gay and lesbian lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly, just endorsed freshman State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) for reelection in the upcoming Democratic primary over gay rights activist Jim Madigan.
Responding to an inquiry from your Huffington Post blogger, Harris said, "She has been a strong advocate for lesbian, gay and trans[gender] issues in Springfield, worked hard behind the scenes in the last few months to preserve funding for HIV/AIDS services in Illinois and is well thought of in the district as well."
Steans, 46, whose Chicago-lakefront senate district overlaps Harris' house district, provided the following statement on Harris' endorsement:
"Greg has been a true mentor and guiding force for me in Springfield. He is a voice for progressive policy change, most notably in human rights and health care reform. And I look forward to our continued fight for marriage equality."
Madigan, 35, a University of Chicago-trained lawyer, is the former interim executive director of Equality Illinois, a statewide gay rights political organization based in Chicago.
In response to the Harris endorsement, Madigan stated, "While I appreciate Rep. Harris' opinions on this race, I would think he, more than many, would realize how vital it is for all communities to be directly represented."
"For the record, I did not ask for or in any way seek the endorsement of Greg Harris," Madigan added. "I look forward to working hard during this election and winning the endorsement of the people of the 7th district."
In addition to Harris, your Huffington Post blogger contacted freshman State Representative Deb Mell (D-Chicago), an openly lesbian legislator, regarding her endorsement intentions in the Steans-Madigan race. Mell did not immediately respond for comment.
An ally of Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), Steans will also undoubtedly have Cullerton's backing, too.
Steans, appointed to the 7th District senate seat in February 2008, following the retirement of long-time State Sen. Carol Ronen, defeated activist Suzanne Elder nearly two-to one in the February 5, 2008, Democratic primary in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.
In addition to endorsements, another key political barometer in the race will be campaign cash.
Madigan -- no relation to Attorney General Lisa Madigan or her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan -- filed his first campaign contributions report last week with the Illinois State Board of Elections and reported raising $845 and having $445 cash-on-hand.
Steans, who assumed office in February 2008, reported raising $67,458 and having $78,897 cash-on-hand.
Madigan, who semi-officially kicked-off his campaign on June 28 at Chicago's Gay Parade, wrote the following about his campaign finances:
"I completed my tenure at Equality Illinois on June 26, 2009. I pledged that I would not solicit contributions until I completed my service to that 501(c)(3) organization and to the LGBT community. I fulfilled that promise."
Madigan also took the opportunity to poke at Steans and her campaign cash stash.
"It is true that I am behind Senator Steans in funds available, but my family and I cannot match the $97,178 that Steans' family has poured into her campaign in just one year," Madigan said. "I will continue to raise money from private citizens who share my beliefs, not my family tree."
Steans responded, "I have always voluntarily limited contribution amounts to my campaign ... equal to the federal campaign contribution limits (currently $2,400). Over 500 people have contributed to my campaign with amounts ranging from $20 to the federal limit."
The freshmen senator, unwilling to cede any group to Madigan, also stated, "People from every walk of life support my progressive, reform approach to Illinois politics."
Money aside, the Harris endorsement is a huge plus for the freshman senator whose north lakefront district includes a heavy concentration of gay and lesbian voters. Harris is a popular and well-respected lawmaker in the gay, lesbian and transgendered community.
Madigan's climb to the state senate just got a little steeper. Not unwinnable, but steeper.
Candidates will begin circulating primary nominating petitions on August 4 for the February 2, 2010 Democratic primary.
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It might be advisable for '(our) huffingtonpost blogger" to perhaps share the positions of both candidates on a variety of issues and perhaps highlight where there is a divergence of opinion. It's all great and good that Greg supports Steans over Madigan, but I don't know the criteria that Greg is using. Perhaps it's her scratching his back and vice versa - the same ole' Illinois politics perhaps?
I'd like to hear each of the candidates positions on issues relevant to the GLBT community they will represent - not just who endorses them (or not). Let's make the election one of informing the citizens so they can make the right decision on who should best represent them. Who cares that Greg supports one and not the other. The GLBT community has many divergent opinions - so let's hear them all.
Because the website laying out my legislative priorities doesn't even launch until later this week, the only people who know those priorities are those who've inquired. Rep. Harris has not inquired. The author of this article asked to meet later this week, and I agreed to do so.
I appreciate your comment asking for information, so I am listing some general highlights of my platform below.
I will work hard to:
● Restore political life in Chicago as an honorable profession
● Fight for marriage equality for the LGBT community (and continue my advocacy for civil unions in Illinois in the meantiime)
● Keep students healthier and safer through everyday exercise and anti-bullying legislation
● Stop the introduction of gambling machines into our neighborhoods
● Make the tax code fairer by allowing low-pay workers to pay a lower income tax rate than millionaires pay
● Stop the cycle of domestic violence and gang violence with programs that teach students how to cope with anger, jealousy and frustration
● Defend women’s reproductive freedom
● Allow voters to recall government officials who abuse the public trust
● Secure the quality and fairness of our justice system with better funding for public defenders and the State’s Attorney
● Support environmental initiatives such as recycling and green roofs
I know these are just tidbits, but this reply is long enough already.
Best,
Jim Madigan
I would love to help you get elected and help you defeat Heather Steans. Please let me know how I can contact you to A) sign your nominating petition and B) help your campaign.
Thanks
Endorsements are just one piece of a campaign coverage--but an important piece.
The opinions of trusted elected officials matter to the average voter. Endorsements act as one of many voting cues for voters to help voters shape their own opinion and, ultimately, their ballot. Positions on issues, candidate age, candidate gender, candidate race, candidate professional experience, etc. are other voter cues.
I will be meeting with both Madigan and Steans later this week to interview them regarding their positions on issues--and report on those positions as the campaign further unfolds.
Until you have "vetted" Madigan's views in more detail, it is indeed difficult for you to assert "that Madigan might be a better option". In the end, he may be--and the campaign will give him the chance to prove it.
David Ormsby
Trust me, I don't like Steans, but while you don't propose it directly, the angle of the article is the fact that 2 openly gay elected officials aren't backing an avid gay rights supporter.
While I don't believe in the litmus test idea, I do think that, given the composition of the district, one needs to be sure to elect someone who will legislate in the best interest of their constituents (mostly gay/lebsian). Clearly Madigan has proven himself, advocating on behalf of gay rights at EI.