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In a surprise move, Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool announced yesterday afternoon that he would not be running for County Board President. Claypool, who ran as a reformer against John Stroger in the 2006 Democratic primary, said in an email to supporters that he has "decided not to be a candidate again for Cook County board president. Nor will I be a candidate for a third term on the board." He has also canceled his June 30 fundraiser, and "will be returning all checks." In an early May poll, Claypool was ahead of both incumbent Todd Stroger and 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle.
In announcing his decision to leave Cook County politics, Claypool cited his role as Chief Operating Officer at Rise Health. "President Obama is poised to finally pass national health care reform. But to achieve the goal of universal access, quality and affordability, it will take both government reform and private sector innovation. I have come to believe so much in the potential of our ideas that I have chosen to remain in my role as chief operating officer," he said in the email.
Todd Stroger has indicated that he intends to seek re-election. Toni Preckwinkle, who launched her new website earlier yesterday, will challenge him in the primary. With Paul Vallas staying in New Orleans for the time being, there is no clear candidate for the Republican primary. The election is early next year.
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I would love to know the real reason why Claypool is apparently giving up his local political career, at least for now.
I always got the sense that there was a lot more going on with Claypool than he would want us to know. Perhaps that's partly because he fashioned himself as a hardcore reformer even though he was an insider for so long.
Chicago makes one hopelessly cynical, I guess.
Tilda,
Its called Dirt, or
as Willie Starks said in that nifty little book All the King's Men, "there's something on everybody. Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption"
Hate Stroger the politican all you want but as a person he is "cleaner" than Daley, Quigley, Jane Schakoswky, Claypool and of course Sufferdine. Claypool tossed stones and broke his own house
Every politican in Illinois is about "reform" when they can win off it. Did you see the new York Times article on our own "state reform commission"? The reformers are nothing but a bunch of dirty polticos who have learned how to dress right and northsiders( yea including myself) buy into it because it looks pretty on the outside and its easier that way
Jack, there's something on everybody. Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption.
Nice Starks refer.
Yeah, I want to know the dirt.
Or maybe Claypool is simply not the courageous reformer he imagined himself to be.
I loved that Book! But the Movie with S. Penn made me want to sleep, but his speeches were good.
I didn't see the movie because I did not want to ruin the book. I guess I was right, even though I think Penn is a great actor overall.
Reminds me, I've not read the book in years, and I'm due.
I'm really getting worried that Toddler (aka Urkel, aka Carlton Banks) will win by default. I don't think Preckwinkle has what it takes to beat him and who knows with Peraica. This might be the first time in my life I vote Republican though
I think the key is whether the Daley brothers want that to happen.
I will gladly vote GOP in this race, as I did last time, though Tony P is, to put it mildly, a tool with his own longstanding problems. What's the alternative?
I read that Tom Dart is considering running. He could be a viable candidate.
I'd vote for him...who's the other guy, can't remember his name, but he's a huge Blackhawks fan and he was talking shit about the Red Wings? He's some how involved with the county
That would be Mike Quigley. And he's sitting in Rahm Emanuel's congressional seat now, so you won't be able to vote for him for county board president.
When Chicago does NOT get the Olympics, Daley will announce he will not run for another term. Claypool will then run. You heard it here first.
hmmm... very interesting! i hope you're right. well, about the no olympics & daley stepping down thing. i dig claypool mainly because he's the thorn in toddler's side... not necessarily because i think he's the best guy out there for either cook county board pres or mayor.
Yeah, think about it. The natives are restless. The press is actually growing a pair and asking inconvenient questions about parking meters, Daley's nephew, and other family business deals. Daley's wife has been in a long battle with cancer (she is well, but it is incurable) and he will likely face a stronger opponent than he has in the past. He will retire to his high rise over Millenium Park and spend all the dirty money he has stashed. Of course, if we do get the Olympics, he will run -- he brought us the Olympics! But, this latest bit with the promise of taxpayer money was a surprise for him. Not that the IOC asked him for it, but that the citizens would get upset with his bait and switch.
It is a shame that Claypool is out of the running. He had my vote. Now I am throwing my support behind Jim Houlihan. I think he has a done a great job as the county assessor and has brought some much needed reforms to that office. I think he could hopefully do the same for the county as whole. I have lived in the city for many years and have seen many pols come and go. Houlihan started out in the 70's as a reformer and has remained a reform throughout, even when I believe it has cost him chances at obtaining higher office.
Daley has never really liked him because of his support and backing of Harold Washington. If Daley doesn't like someone you know he is a straight shooter! I would probably vote for anyone who Daley and Madigan don't like because you know it is because they are playing by the old-school Daley/Madigan Machine Rules. The only path to true reform is to go against whomever gets the backing of these criminals.
Honestly, I don't know much about Houlihan except that he seems likes an affable Irish brogue who likes a good drink and while he maybe on a long leash he is still on a leash of the regular democratic party. And call me racist, but the Irish have this city on locked down.
I think every body, white and Black should be concerned about minority hiring and contracts, especially during these economic times. Its only fair.
There's no way that Toddler can actually win, unless there are some ballot box-stuffing shenanigans. He's done enough bad shit, been completely aloof and even cocky about what he's doing.
careful there! stranger things (err... more worthless politicians have been elected) have happened.
i cannot wait to work for the campaign of the toddler's opponent!