Remaining Black candidates in the running to become Cook County board president said they see the departure of U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-7th, from the race as a window of opportunity.
Remaining Black candidates in the running to become Cook County board president said they see the departure of U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-7th, from the race as a window of opportunity.
The veteran congressman announced Monday that he would seek re-election, and bowed out of the race for county board president that included three other Black candidates. It was to be a showdown that many critics predicted would end up being a loss for the Black community, with a split-vote helping other challengers to victory.
“Danny is a good man and he can do more good for the people of Cook County by returning to Washington as an effective congressman,” said Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County and a county board president candidate in the February 2010 primary. “I will now seek his endorsement and support.”
Brown added that Davis’ exit would allow her to raise more money for her campaign and hopes his supporters will follow her.
“I have said all along that I would welcome the chance to run against Cook County Board President Todd Stroger one-on-one,” said Brown. “His departure makes it possible that will happen.”
The other two Black candidates are Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) and incumbent Stroger.
Brown said she would recommend that Preckwinkle also step aside.
“Let’s just say if Ald. Preckwinkle were to withdraw it would be something I would recommend,” she said.
Stroger said by Davis returning to Congress it would allow him to continue building partnerships with the federal government.
“I respect Congressman Davis’s decision to seek re-election for Congress. His presence on the powerful (House) Ways and Mean Committee is a significant benefit to the voters of Cook County,” Stroger said. “I’m excited about continuing our partnership in fighting for our health care system in Cook County.”
Preckwinkle echoed Brown’s sentiments.
“I see his withdrawal as an opportunity for the people of Illinois to send a well respected, experienced and hard working congressman back to Washington to advocate for Illinois,” she said. “But I also see his withdrawal as a benefit to my campaign because it will allow me to garner more support and money as a progressive, independent Democrat.”
Preckwinkle received an added boost Monday when she was selected through a lottery to be placed first on the ballot for the February primary. She will be followed by Cook County Water Reclamation District President Terry O’Brien and then Brown.
Davis had been chosen as the third name but since he is no longer a candidate his name will not appear on the ballot for county board president, said Cook County Clerk David Orr.
On Sunday Davis met with Stroger over breakfast and a week prior met with Brown. He said he also plans to meet with Preckwinkle and O’Brien, the other Democratic candidate.
Davis’ expected departure was the result of four Black candidates running for the same office.
“In the interest of unity I have decided to withdraw from the Cook County board president’s race,” Davis, who by law could not run for both seats, said at a Monday news conference. “It would be politically dangerous for four Black candidates from the same community to run for the same office.”
Attention now turns to Davis and whom he will support for county board president.
“I have not decided who I will support but I am considering all the candidates,” Davis told the Defender. “But race will not be factor for my endorsement.”
Davis has served in Congress since 1997. He served on the Chicago City Council from 1979 to 1990, and was a Cook County commissioner from 1990 to 1996.
A handful of possible candidates were prepared to run for Congress, had Davis decided to give up his congressional seat.
State Rep. LaShawn Ford, whose Democratic 8th District cover portions of the West Side, was among those candidates.
“I had decided last month not to run for his seat once I saw he was unsure if he would run for re-election,” said Ford. “But had he decided in September that he would not return to Congress I definitely would have ran for his seat. Instead I will run for re-election for my state seat.”
Other politicians who considered running for Davis’ seat include state Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-5th, who said he will now run for lieutenant governor, and state Rep. Annazette Collins, D- 10th Dist., who is expected to run for re-election.
