Many Illinois Democrats say they are trying to coalesce rapidly around Vice President Kamala Harris as the new nominee for president following Joe Biden's decision to exit the race. Republicans say they see an opportunity.
A Biden delegate from Bloomington hopes the Democratic Party can avoid a contested convention next month. State Rep. Sharon Chung said she plans to support the vice president.
"A lot of the chaos I was a little scared of. I really don't like chaos and drama. I try to steer clear of a lot of that if possible," said Chung.
Chances of that chaos coming to pass are diminishing by the hour.
Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation said they are backing Harris as the nominee. Illinois U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Eric Sorensen have endorsed Harris, as has Gov. JB Pritzker.
In a statement, Pritzker said he has spent hours talking with party leaders and giving input about how to defeat Donald Trump in November. He praised Harris for protecting women's rights, that she represents the party's best chance to beat Trump, and that it's past time for a woman to be president.
Meanwhile, the Tazewell County Republican Party chairman said he's not so sure Harris is the best candidate the Democrats have. Jim Rule said having an open convention could produce a stronger Democratic nominee but "destroys their message of unity."
Rule said he believes President Biden's decision to abandon the race will help former President Donald Trump.
"Regardless of who the Democrats decide on whether they coalesce on Vice President Harris or whether they have an open convention, I think we're going to do well," said Rule.
State Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria also is an Illinois delegate in next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Koehler said Harris boasts a "stellar" public service record.
"She has been there at the table with all the discussions on foreign policy. She is ready to take over and hit the ground running. I think she is really going to add a real spark to this campaign," said Koehler.
Former Harris delegates
Bloomington labor figure Mike Matejka was a Harris delegate four years ago when the then-senator sought the presidential nomination.
Matejka said he would love to see a debate between Harris and Trump. Matejka noted Harris is a former prosecutor and can demonstrate that to the American public.
"They want to see an adult in the room around decisions that are going to affect their everyday life and not someone who is just going to go on tangents or go on rants and raves," he said.
Matejka said Harris' background intrigued him enough to support her four years ago. He said she comes from a liberal state, but also was a prosecutor.
"I thought that was a very interesting combination, somebody who could uphold the law but at the same time be someone who was going to do progressive things for people," said Matejka.
Matejka said he thinks Harris will be able to maintain the forward momentum of the Biden administration on infrastructure and climate change while safeguarding social security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Another Harris delegate four years ago is Chemberly Harris, a member of the Normal Town Council, who is running for mayor. Harris said what drew her to the vice president was her status as a woman and person of color who ran for offices "people in those categories don't typically get to hold."
She said she does not have data to say whether gender and race will greatly affect the presidential contest. She said people do tend to lean toward people who are similar to them instead of looking at the totality of the candidate. She said Harris will just have to do what she can do.
"I think we as individuals are going to have to take an inner look within ourselves. This is a time, and definitely when you are talking about the national race, where we're going to have to erase the notions of Rs and Ds and look at people's humanity and their true beliefs within our democracy and our country," said Chemberly Harris.
Chemberly Harris noted the vice president also went to a historical black college. She said some people tend to look down on that, though the record of achievements by such graduates indicate that should not happen.
Koehler said the next big decision for Democrats is who joins Harris on the ballot as running mate.
"Gov. Pritzker would be an excellent choice for the ticket, but then again Illinois is probably not going to vote for Trump in the first place. So, it may be that there will be more interest in some of the swing states," said Koehler.
In his own statement, Pritzker made no mention whether he is interested in being Harris' vice president.
Republicans are hoping the switch up at the top of the ticket will help them in other races. Rule, the Tazewell County GOP chair, said the decision does not change his party's approach to the election.
"I think that the down ballot races are going to be much more stronger. But that really depends on how the Republicans in their particular races, like myself as the county chair, how we promote those races, how we get them name recognition so we know who they are," said Rule.
Rule, like other GOP leaders, said President Biden should resign, arguing that if the president doesn't have the ability to run for office, he shouldn't continue as president. Democrats said there's a big difference between the next four years and the next six months.
"I think we're at a very interesting crossroads in time. I think we will truly know the heart of our country after the November election,” said Chemberly Harris.
Before that, the Democratic National Convention begins Aug. 19 in Chicago.
