Come August when candidates can officially begin circulating nominating petitions for Cook County Board president, U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-7th, may be one of four Black candidates running.
On Sunday, Davis announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to evaluate his chances of running for the post, which is currently held by fellow Democrat Todd Stroger.
“Even if I did not run, someone else will and either way I doubt if he (Todd Stroger) could win,” Davis said. “I think Todd has done the best job he could up to this point.”
Stroger, who said he plans to seek re-election as county board president, is expected to face at least two other Black candidates, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown and Alderwoman Toni Preckwinkle (4th).
Davis, a former alderman and Cook County Board commissioner, said he plans to speak to Stroger, Preckwinkle and Brown soon about his interest in the county board president seat.
Brown said she is surprised that Davis would consider leaving Congress to run for county board president.
“He has built a very respectable career as a congressman and has been a very effective one at that, so it is surprising to see him showing interest in a local race,” Brown told the Defender. “I am concerned about the Black vote being split, but in the end I think I will prevail as the next county board president.”
Davis added that he is not concerned about splitting the Black vote because “everyone speaking today may not run for office,” he explained. “I have always gotten non-African-American votes when running for office so I am not concerned about losing Black votes to other candidates. I represent diversity.”
And should Davis run and lose ,he said he would not be returning to Congress “because you cannot run for two offices at once.” Instead he said he would probably end up doing something in education or government and downplays any hint of retiring from politics.
In light of Davis considering a run for county office, state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-8th Dist., and state Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-5th Dist., both said they are considering a run for Davis’ congressional seat, which covers the state leaders’ respective districts.
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Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
On Sunday, Davis announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to evaluate his chances of running for the post, which is currently held by fellow Democrat Todd Stroger.
“Even if I did not run, someone else will and either way I doubt if he (Todd Stroger) could win,” Davis said. “I think Todd has done the best job he could up to this point.”
Stroger, who said he plans to seek re-election as county board president, is expected to face at least two other Black candidates, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown and Alderwoman Toni Preckwinkle (4th).
Davis, a former alderman and Cook County Board commissioner, said he plans to speak to Stroger, Preckwinkle and Brown soon about his interest in the county board president seat.
Brown said she is surprised that Davis would consider leaving Congress to run for county board president.
“He has built a very respectable career as a congressman and has been a very effective one at that, so it is surprising to see him showing interest in a local race,” Brown told the Defender. “I am concerned about the Black vote being split, but in the end I think I will prevail as the next county board president.”
Davis added that he is not concerned about splitting the Black vote because “everyone speaking today may not run for office,” he explained. “I have always gotten non-African-American votes when running for office so I am not concerned about losing Black votes to other candidates. I represent diversity.”
And should Davis run and lose ,he said he would not be returning to Congress “because you cannot run for two offices at once.” Instead he said he would probably end up doing something in education or government and downplays any hint of retiring from politics.
In light of Davis considering a run for county office, state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-8th Dist., and state Sen. Rickey Hendon, D-5th Dist., both said they are considering a run for Davis’ congressional seat, which covers the state leaders’ respective districts.
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Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
