About two-dozen elected officials –– local and state –– put their muscle Monday behind Gov. Pat Quinn’s quest for election to a full term as governor.
About two-dozen elected officials –– local and state –– put their muscle Monday behind Gov. Pat Quinn’s quest for election to a full term as governor. Citing the governor’s qualifications and track record in the African American community, state Sen. Rev. James Meeks, D-15th, Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th) and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-1st, said they know Quinn’s heart and it’s with the communities they represent. “We proudly and resoundly give our support to Pat Quinn, hopefully our next governor for a while. You don’t have to convince me you’re with the Black community. We know you and we give our support wholeheartedly,” Meeks told Quinn during the endorsement session at the Parkway Ballroom on 44th Street and King Drive. The senator, who represents the Far South Side and south suburbs, said it was shameful the governor’s race took a “tragic” turn about race, referring to a recent commercial by Quinn’s opponent, state Comptroller Dan Hynes. Hynes’ ad show a clip of the late Mayor Harold Washington banishing Quinn for a poor work performance 23 years ago while Quinn worked for the mayor’s administration. “This isn’t about race, it’s about qualifications,” Meeks said to resounding applause from colleagues including state Sens. Jacqueline Collins, D-16th, Kwame Raoul, D-13th, and Donne Trotter, D-17th, state Reps. Emil Jones III, D-14th, Ken Dunkin, D-5th, and Annazette Collins, D-10th, and many South Side aldermen and business owners. Lyle, who organized the endorsing group, said they began meeting in September about which candidate to back. They looked at each candidate’s track record in addition to conducting interviews with each. “We recommend Pat Quinn,” the alderman said. Rush said Quinn isn’t a fly-by-night candidate who just burst on the scene. He’s been steeped in public service and fighting for those with the least opportunities. If there was one “distinguishing characteristic” that separates Quinn from the others, it’s the fact that: “Pat likes jobs,” the congressman said. “Our community needs jobs. They need help creating jobs and the small business community needs help,” he said, calling Quinn the perfect candidate to get the job done. “I’m standing pat with Pat,” Rush quipped, adding his disdain for Hynes’ ad. Rush said he was astounded at the “guts, gumption and audacity” of the commercial, and called it a “false image” of Quinn. Lyle also chimed in on Hynes’ ad. “Friends fall out then they make up,” Lyle said, adding that Quinn and Washington remained friends. Quinn took the dais and co-signed the alderman’s statement. “I stood by Harold Washington in every election,” the governor said. Hynes told the Defender the ad is not about race but speaks to Quinn’s qualifications. The statement Washington made in the ad rings true today about Quinn, he said. Quinn attacked Hynes for failing to act on 22 letters of complaints about south suburban Burr Oak Cemetery before scandal broke out last year. He also said Hynes hasn’t “created one job” in the last 12 years. “The best way to help people out is a good job. That’s what we have to work on as a team. I believe in rolling up my sleeves. I’m proud to have the endorsement of so many that I’ve worked with over the years,” Quinn said. The Illinois Primary is Feb. 2. Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender
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