UPDATE: South Suburban Congresswoman Robin Kelly says she's taking herself out of the running to remain as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party, ending a power struggle between her and Governor JB Pritzker.
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Mayor Lori Lightfoot is still standing with Congresswoman Robin Kelly as the Democratic Party of Illinois prepares for Saturday' contentious vote for its chair.
Mayor Lightfoot was quick to point out on Thursday that she’s not a member of the Illinois Democratic State Central Committee, so she has no vote. But, she said she’s still backing Robin Kelly to be the state party chair, the post once held by former Speaker Michael Madigan.
Governor Pritzker is backing IL Rep. Lisa Hernandez, whom he feels could raise campaign cash without the restrictions of a federal official like Kelly faces. Mayor Lightfoot rejects the notion that Kelly is hamstrung in fundraising. She said Kelly has raised almost $2.5. million in less than a year.
Lightfoot said what Illinois Democrats should be thinking about is persuading National Democratic leaders that Chicago is the best place for the 2024 convention.
“Unity and no distractions is a critical thing they’re (National Democratic Party leaders) looking at for every city. So, I worry that this falls into one of those forbidden topics of disunity, a distraction. We need to be focused on uniting, moving forward together,” Lightfoot said.
National Democratic Chairman Jaime Harrison and his team were in town earlier this week sizing up the city.
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