Cook County Dems Endorse Quinn For Governor

The Cook County Democratic Party officially endorsed Illinois Governor Pat Quinn for re-election Friday. But Quinn’s primary opponent is downplaying their vote.

Quinn spoke briefly to Cook County committeemen, saying he expects the campaign to be a tough one.

“Every campaign is tough, but I’ve been proven in our state, every part of our state,” Quinn said in his speech.

Notably missing from the meeting was Quinn’s primary challenger, Bill Daley.

A Daley spokesman said in a statement, “In the last three slate-making sessions, the Cook County Democratic Party has backed Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn, and when you look at all the assets of incumbency Governor Quinn is now spreading around, we don't see any reason why that would change, no matter how failed Governor Quinn's record is."

“I think he should’ve come in, should’ve been heard,” said Joe Berrios, Cook County’s assessor and chairman of the Cook County Democrats. The official vote was kept closed to the public, but Berrios said all but three committeemen supported Quinn.

One of those who didn’t support Quinn is John Daley, the brother of former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley. John Daley said his brother still has a good chance of winning the primary considering how narrowly Quinn won election in 2010.

“I would assume, based upon the election results, Pat Quinn’s name is toxic because he didn’t carry any counties downstate,” John Daley said.

In 2010, Quinn won the Democratic primary by about 8,00 votes.

Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack said Ald. Roberto Maldonado and John O’Sullivan from Worth Township also did not support Quinn.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul, who is also considering a run for governor, did not show up either.

In another contested statewide race, the Cook County Democrats endorsed State Sen. Michael Frerichs for state treasurer over Chicago Alderman Jason Ervin.