Illinois 2010 Elections: Victory Fund Endorses Democratic State Senate Candidate Jim Madigan

Jim Madigan and Campaign Manager Lauren Peters wait in the rain for three hours to turn in Jim's petition on the first day for candidates to file with the State Board of Elections in Springfield, IL.

(Chicago, IL) — November 11, 2009. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed Illinois Democratic State Senate candidate Jim Madigan in his primary race against first-term incumbent Heather Steans (D-Chicago).

Madigan, a civil rights attorney and gay rights activist, announced the news on Friday, November 6 via Twitter.

The Victory Fund endorsement is an important boost to Madigan’s campaign.

This national group identifies, trains and helps elects gay and lesbian candidate to all levels of office across the United States. And it has an impressive track record. In the 2008 cycle, it endorsed 111 openly gay or lesbian candidates – 80 of whom won.

The national endorsement–which also will draw donations to Madigan’s campaign–will also help counterbalance the strong local gay and lesbian backing garnered by Steans in the contest for the 7th district seat on Chicago’s North Side.

In fact, Steans hosted a fund-raiser last night, Tuesday, November 10, at Hamburger Mary’s in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood which included an all-star host committee of gay and lesbian political and civic leaders, including openly gay State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago).

State Rep. Greg Harris introduces State Senator Heather Steans during the Nov. 10 fundraiser at Hamburger Mary's.

In addition to Harris, the Steans committe included: political consultant and long-time fund-raiser Michael Bauer, activist Kelly Cassidy, Howard Brown Health Center CEO Michael Cook, former City of Chicago Gay & Lesbian Liaison Mary Morten, former Deputy Cook County Clerk Brandon Neese, Chicago House President Rev. Stan Sloan, AIDS Foundation of Chicago lobbyist John Peller, and Governor Pat Quinn’s Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance Michael McRaith.

Additionally, openly gay Alderman Tom Tunney (D-44th), openly lesbian Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, and Equality Illinois political director Rick Garcia have endorsed Steans.

Madigan, the former interim Executive Director of Equality Illinois a statewide gay rights group, filed his nominating petitions at the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield on October 26 with 3,000 signatures, three times the 1,000 necessary to secure a spot on the February 2 primary ballot.

Madigan’s petitions were photocopied by a local political operative which suggested a potential petition challenge, but no challenge emerged. Madigan followed the 3-to-1 petition “rule of thumb”, collecting three times the number of signatures that he legally needed, and he apparently hewed to the arcane ballot access law requirements which routinely torment even experienced candidates.

In fact, State Rep. Deb Mell, the legislature’s first openly lesbian lawmaker and daughter of long-term Alderman Dick Mell (D-33) is facing a stiff challenge to her petitions by her openly gay opponent Joe Laiacona.

In addition to Madigan’s endorsement, the Victory Fund has also endorsed two other openly gay Illinois candidates. Todd Connnor, a Democrat running for one of three open seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and Linda Pauel, a Democrat seeking a judgeship in Illinois’ 1st judicial circuit, also have the Fund’s backing.

Let the show begin.

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