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Democrats bash President Trump, look toward midterm elections on Governor's Day at IL State Fair
Democrats bash President Trump, look toward midterm elections on Governor's Day at IL State Fair
Source: ABC7 Chicago
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Democrats from across the state descended on Springfield Wednesday for what is traditionally considered the kickoff to the election season.
It's Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair.
On Wednesday morning, the party faithful gathered for an annual breakfast meeting, where Gov. JB Pritzker welcomed House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries as the keynote speaker.
The annual Democratic County Chairs Brunch is an opportunity for the party to reflect on accomplishments and chart their path forward, as they look to the 2026 midterm elections.
Nearly 1,900 Democrats from across the state packed the Bank of Springfield Convention Center in a show of party unity aimed at building excitement heading into this election season.
Pritzker bashed President Donald Trump and exhorted Democrats to be the ones to make a difference.
"I'm optimistic that the nation will have a chance to play out on the national stage. The story of restoration that we are writing here in the Prairie State, ours is a story that doesn't have a cult telling us what to believe, or sycophants telling us what to say or a king telling us what to do," Pritzker said.
With a competitive race for the U.S. Senate seat that is being vacated by Dick Durbin, all three of the leading Democratic candidates got their moments to make their pitches to the party.
"The future that we deserve requires us to lock arms and move forward as one in the direction that we choose, not the one Trump dictates. That's why my campaign is about carrying our voices to Washington," candidate Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said. "I am the only candidate that's not accepting any corporate PAC dollars in my campaign. I want to make sure that I'm centering the voices of Illinois families and not corporate special interests. That's a distinction. And I believe that with the grassroots support that I have, we are going to raise the resources that I need to get my message out."
"And so the question is this before us, 'what kind of a government do we want? What kind of a government do we want?' We want one that's there for those fighting to make it, or one that's there for those who have it made," candidate Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said. "Remember, she's also hoping for a super PAC to come to her rescue. So it's very rich for her to accuse others of somehow being beholden to other interests. The point is this, I'm blessed to have tens of thousands of individual donors who have supported me."
"This moment needs a leader who can achieve real results, and I have done just that. I am, I am a work horse. I am not show horse, and that's what leads in the Senate. So, let's do this, Illinois," candidate Rep. Robin Kelly said. "I would not have gotten in this race if I didn't think I had the resources I needed to win. I'm giving up a seat I probably could have held a long time. I would have not gotten a raise. Money's coming in. My colleagues are hosting fundraising for me all over the United States."
Jeffries called Democrats to action, as the party looks to retake the House in 2026.
With Illinois being solidly blue, Democrats had a lot of reasons to be excited about for Wednesday's state fair rally.
Pritzker rallied the party faithful, attacking Republicans in Congress who are pushing through President Trump's agenda.
But, the Democratic Party is searching for a message that will resonate more broadly leading up to the 2026 elections. And affordability may be that theme.
"We're not struggling to come up with a unified message, folks. Democrats are for working families. We're the ones who want to deliver health care and food assistance. We're the ones who want to cut taxes on middle income and working families," Pritzker said.
Democrats left Wednesday with a sense of optimism, not just in Illinois and in the battle to regain control of the U.S. House.
On Thursday, Republicans will have their day at the state fair.
By Craig Wall