Congressman Danny K. Davis to run for Re-Election for Congress, Drop Out of Race Against Todd Stroger

According to published reports in the Chicago Tribune, veteran U.S. Rep. Danny Davis today dropped his bid to challenge Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and said he will seek re-election to Congress.

Davis had hedged his bets by filing petitions for the Feb. 2 Democratic primary for county president as well as for the seat in Congress he has held for 13 years. A run for board president would end his career in the House.

"I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for Cook County Board president and instead will run for reelection," Davis said at a morning news conference. He said he likes being a congressman and "I'm good at it."


Davis said he realized that it would be "politically dangerous" for candidates from the same political and community base to run at the same time.
Stroger still faces a crowded field of challengers that includes Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, 4th, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President Terrence O'Brien, the only white candidate for the Democratic nomination.

Black ministers earlier this fall had said they were worried the number of black challengers to Stroger could result in blacks losing the post, which an African American has held for more than a decade.

Davis said he met with Stroger Sunday as part of his decision process. "I talked with (Stroger) about the information I had and I talked with him about about the challenges of the race," Davis said.

Davis said it was a difficult decision but unity was the prime consideration. He said he will make an endorsement in the race but hasn't decided yet who it will be.

Several Democrats have filed to run for Davis' 7th District seat, but could opt to drop out now that he's staying in the federal race.

Todd Stroger Files to Run for Re-Election for Cook County Board President...

According to the Chicago Tribune, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger late Monday afternoon filed his paperwork to run for for re-election.

By waiting until just before the filing deadline, Stroger secured the last position on the ballot, which is considered second best to the first spot.

"I feel great," Stroger said after filing. "I feel like 150 pounds of dynamite."

Stroger joins a crowded Democratic field for county board president. It includes Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown; Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, 4th; and Water Reclamation District President Terrence O'Brien. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Chicago, has filed for both county board president and Congress. Davis will need to choose between the two by next Monday.

Stroger filed petitions with about 22,000 signatures. Nearly 8,150 valid signatures are needed to withstand a challenge. He has been considered politically vulnerable in the wake of a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase he pushed through the county board in February 2008.

Proviso School Board President Being Courted for U.S. Congress

With 7th District U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis exploring a run for Cook County Board President, party leaders are looking for a possible placement of Davis in Congress. One name being bantered about is Proviso School Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch. Other names being strongly considered are State Representative Karen A. Yarbrough and Broadview Mayor Sherman A. Jones. Party officials like Welch because he's young, and his future is bright in the Democratic Party.

Danny K. Davis Exploring Run For Cook County Board President...

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis is looking into a run for Cook County Board president.

The congressman has conducted a poll regarding his chances and will announce the formation of an exploratory committee "within a few weeks," according to spokeswoman Tumia Romero.

The poll results, which will also be announced within a few weeks, were called "very favorable," according to a release this afternoon.

Davis will seek the input of Cook County residents for the purposes of considering a run for board president, the release said. To that end, he has set up a Web site, davisforcountyboardpresident.com.

The 67-year-old Davis has been in Congress since 1997. Prior to his election to Congress, he served on the Cook County Board, having been elected in 1990 and 1994. He also served for 11 years as a member of the Chicago City Council representing the 29th Ward.

West Suburban Mayors and Other Elected Officials Support Danny K. Davis For Senate!

Congressman Danny K. Davis, Mayor Frank Pasquale, Bellwood, Mayor Joseph T. Tamburino, Hillside, Illinois and other proviso Mayors and Village Presidents and community residents and elected officials will gather on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 11:15am at the Best Western Hotel. The West Suburban Officials plan to emphatically endorse Danny Davis for Senate.

Supporters of Congressman Davis say that he is uniquely qualified to hold the position. Davis worked as a postal clerk, taught in the Chicago Public Schools, worked as a community organizer, Executive Director of the Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission, worked as a Community Health Planner, worked in Health Clinics and ultimately became the President of the National Association of Community Health Centers, an organization of great distinction.


Congressman Davis has been an elected official for 29 years beginning as Alderman where he served for eleven years in the Chicago City Council becoming Chairman of the Health Substance Abuse and Zoning Committees and was President Pro-Temp of the Chicago City Council.

He was a member of the Cook County Board for 6 years and has been a member of Congress for the past twelve years where he currently serves as Chairman of the Sub-Committee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia.

Davis said, “In every legislative body in which I have served, I have sponsored and passed meaningful public policy initiatives. I am a coalition builder and work well with all communities.”

Happy Thanksgiving Proviso!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in Proviso Township. Even in difficult economic times, we all have much to be thankful for each and every day. Take a moment to say what you're thankful for today.

As a reminder, the Proviso East Marching Band will be the star attraction in the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Don't forget to tune in and catch the Pirates.

Also, Congressman Danny K. Davis will provide free Thanksgiving Day dinner at Wallace's Catfish Corner, 2800 W. Madison, Chicago, Illinois from Noon to 3pm on Thanksgiving Day.

If you have something of important happening on Thanksgiving Day or just want to give thanks, post it here.

Congressman Danny K. Davis, 7th District for Senate!!!

Congressman Danny K. Davis, from the 7th District, is garnering support for the US Senate seat that has been vacated by President-Elect Barack Obama. Most recently, State Representative Eddie Washington, 60th District representing Waukegan, North Chicago and Park City, and Lake County Residents announced their support and urged Governor Blagojavich to appoint Congressman Danny K. Davis to replace President-Elect Obama as U. S. Senator. A few weeks ago more than a dozen elected officials and hundreds of Illinois residents urged Gov. Blagojavich to appoint Cong. Davis.
Davis continues to build momentum around the State of Illinois. Here's to Congressman Davis and hoping he gets the nod! If Davis gets the nod for Senate, a number of people are rumored as possible successors to his Congressional seat. Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr. is a possiblity. State Representative Karen Yarbrough, and former Davis Chief of Staff Richard R. Boykin are also possibilities. If Rogers and/or Yarbrough get the nod for Congressman, it is rumored Proviso School Board President Emanuel "Chris" Welch could replace Rogers and/or Yarbrough. Stay tuned.