(The Center Square) – Illinois Democrats rallying at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield are pushing for more power at the statehouse while making the case for a Kamala Harris presidency.
Early voting for the Nov. 5 election begins Sept. 26. Ahead of that and next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told party officials during a breakfast program in Springfield Wednesday that Illinois Republicans have the wrong policies.
“It’s embarrassing for them,” Pritzker said. “No wonder the Illinois GOP is a super minority party.”
Speeches and videos at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association morning meeting focused on party unity, abortion rights and Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump’s trials in the courts.
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said like in 2012, with former President Barack Obama’s reelection, Democrats face similar challenges this year.
“It’s exciting, but it’s going to be challenging. We have to reelect an incumbent administration with a record, a great record of fighting for working families and putting people to work,” Harmon told the group assembled at the Bank of Springfield Center. “But we have to fight that hatred that’s still out there.”
Later at the Illinois State Fair, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, declared his chamber already has the “great 78.” That’s the number of Democrats versus 40 Republicans.
“But you know what? In ‘24, we want more. You wanna help us elect more in ‘24? If you do that, we’re going to make more history,” Welch said.
Welch also said history could be made by electing Harris as the first woman president.
After joining other elected officials at the fairgrounds for an afternoon rally, Pritkzer downplayed Republican criticism that Harris has to answer for covering up President Joe Biden’s viability.
“That’s ludicrous,” Pritzker said. “First of all, Joe Biden has been one of the greatest presidents we’ve had. Look at all the things he got done in a bipartisan fashion.”
The Democratic National Convention begins next week in Chicago where the party is expected to officially nominate Harris after Biden dropped out of the race.
Illinois Republicans, who are critical of inflation and a porous border under the Biden-Harris administration, and the policies coming from the Democratic supermajority at the Illinois statehouse, hold their day at the state fair Thursday.
