Have a news tip, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? I’d like to hear from you: For buzzy nuggets and details that you won’t find anywhere else, subscribe today. STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What’s really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who’s up, who’s down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider’s guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. If you are Carol Ronen, Playbook would like to hear from you. Ronen is a former state senator who held the seat that Steans moved into back in 2008. Heather Steans, is the insider pick for the seat. Insiders say Leo Smith, the husband of former state Sen. Has the position been “publicly posted,” the letter asks? And the Indo-American Democratic Organization wrote a letter to Ronen calling for some transparency.

The Asian American Caucus sent a letter urging the appointment come from that community. Why Ronen is in charge: She served alongside Cabonargi in the 9th District, so it’s the elected folks in that district who will be voting.Ĭalls for diversity: A number of elected officials and community folks are hoping to see the party name an Asian-American Democrat to the committee. Cabonargi stepped down after being tapped by the Biden administration for a regional job.īy invitation only: A party spokeswoman said only Carol Ronen, who is heading the meeting, can invite folks. Even Willie Wilson calls himself a Democrat, and he voted for Donald Trump in 2016.ĭems and their backroom deals: A meeting Sunday to vote on who will replace Mike Cabonargi on the Democratic State Central Committee is not public. Party affiliations: The mayor’s position is nonpartisan, though all the candidates describe themselves as Democrats, including Vallas, who ran as a Democrat for governor in 2002 and as lieutenant governor in 2013. Fox 32’s Mike Flannery has a new poll showing Lightfoot and Vallas in a dead heat with Garcia trailing.

The attacks on Vallas indicate he’s gaining steam in the mayor’s race ahead of the Feb. Garcia called Vallas “a liar” and “a wolf in sheep’s clothing, reports NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern, We asked Vallas what was out of context in his words, “Fundamentally, I oppose abortion.” A spokeswoman said he was referring to his Greek Orthodox faith, which opposes abortion. “Shame on you, Paul, for not talking about women’s rights until today.” “Paul Vallas has been silent on this for seven months until today at this forum,” Lightfoot said. At a recent forum, Lightfoot criticized him for not speaking out sooner on the repeal of Roe v. These aren’t the first attacks on Vallas’ stand on abortion. Oh right, he’s anti-choice, so he’s never going to be here,” she says. The issue gained steam: Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted a video last night pretending to look for Vallas at a Planned Parenthood event she was attending. I’m proud to have been endorsed by pro-choice organizations like Planned Parenthood in previous campaigns for state office, and I have publicly pledged to ensure that Chicago remains a reproductive safe haven for all women.” His response: “I am a lifelong Democrat who has always been 100 percent pro-choice. Lost in translation: Vallas’ campaign said the video is from a 2009 interview with Jeff Berkowitz, who features conservative candidates on his public affairs show, and that Garcia edited the interview “out of context.” The video shows Vallas in his own words, saying, “Fundamentally, I oppose abortion” and “I’m more of a Republican than a Democrat.” The endorsement comes on the heels of Jesus “Chuy” Garcia making news Thursday with a video calling out Vallas for comments he made on abortion. The Chicago Tribune has endorsed Paul Vallas for mayor, the paper reported this morning. Delia Ramirez set to give State of the Union response, reports Nicholas Wu Today’s the day the music died in 1959.bįIRST IN POLITICO: Progressive Rep. Vallas gets Tribune endorsement despite hits

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