Democrats Running For Illinois Governor Hold 1st Televised Debate

CHICAGO, IL — With less than two months to go before the Democratic gubernatorial primary, six candidates to challenge Gov. Bruce Rauner squared off in their first televised debate Tuesday night in Chicago.

State Sen. Daniel Biss, Supt. Bob Daiber, Tio Hardiman, Chris Kennedy, Dr. Robert Marshall and J.B. Pritzker took the stage on for the one-hour event at the Union League Club of Chicago and moderated by WMAQ-TV Political Editor Carol Marin.

The forum was the first time that all six Democrats have appeared on broadcast television.

Exchanges between the biggest spending candidates grew most heated when each of the men on stage sought to distance himself from the leadership of the Illinois Democratic Party, including state party chief and House Speaker Mike Madigan and Cook County party boss and Assessor Joe Berrios.

Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune who has given his campaign more than $40 million of his own money, said he disagrees with the speaker on some issues, notably term limits for leadership positions and independent redistricting.

"I've been an independent leader and an independent thinker my entire life and that won't change when I become governor," Pritzker said.

Moderator Marin asked Prizker "how could you not have known" that imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevic was under investigation at the time the two were recorded discussing a possible appointment as treasurer from the convicted.

"Frankly, I did nothing wrong, and I was never accused of anything," Pritzker said.

.@JBPritzker can’t give a clear explanation as to why he was seemingly the only person in Illinois who didn't know that Blagojevich was under investigation in 2008. #ILDemForum #twill #ilgov pic.twitter.com/4y2ERkNtRS
— Bruce Rauner (@BruceRauner) January 24, 2018

Gov. Rauner, who has been creating ads featuring the FBI wiretaps of Blagojevic and Pritzker, quickly highlighted the question. He posted that Pritzker "can’t give a clear explanation as to why he was seemingly the only person in Illinois who didn't know" about the federal investigation into the ex-governor.

Biss claimed that the "best thing" for Gov. Rauner would be to run against the free-spending Pritzker, who he described as "another billionaire who is Mike Madigan's candidate." The Evanston Democrat said, as the only state lawmaker, in the race he had a clear track record of independence from party leadership. Biss suggested Pritzker was "obviously worried" and did not want voters to have "a clear choice between a billionaire and a middle-class candidate."

"I have nothing to do with this mess," said activist Tio Hardiman, who received more than 28 percent of the Democratic primary vote in 2014 when he challenged then-Gov. Pat Quinn. The founder of the urban anti-violence group , CeaseFire said he had the most comprehensive plans to reduce killings and increase economic opportunities in Chicago.

"We've got to quit talking about about Mike Madigan and...Joe Berrios, we've got to talk about J.B. Pritzker and Rod Blagojevich but we got to get down to business," said Madison County School Superintendent Bob Daiber, the only downstate candidate and the only candidate licensed to own a firearm. He said he would unite the divisions between different parts of the state and "bring dignity" to the office of governor.

In one notable moment, Marin asked the candidates to name one positive thing their opponents have brought to the table. Chris Kennedy was unable to come up with anything.

"I mean, I'm challenged in this election, because I think that as Democrats we believe government can be our ally and when J.B. emerges as the poster child of all that's wrong with the corrupt system in our state – it's difficult for me to heap praise on him," Kennedy said, after Pritzker had praised his family's support of the Special Olympics. Kennedy later said he apologized personally and praised his opponent's work toward improving early childhood education.

"I am not usually elected to anything," Dr. Robert Marshall told reporters gathered in the wake of the debate. The radiologist and past candidate for both major parties expressed some degree of surprise to have been invited. The top priority of the former Burr Ridge trustee's campaign is to dissolve the Illinois Constitution and divide the state into three parts.

On the Republican side, Gov. Rauner has not committed to debating his primary challenger, State Rep. Jeanne Ives.

The next televised Democratic candidates debate is set for next Tuesday, Jan. 30. It will be sponsored by the Chicago Daily Herald and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Watch the full Jan. 23 Illinois debate from WMAQ-TV. The event was also sponsored by Telemundo and the Union League Club of Chicago.

Opening portion of forum:

Top photo: Democrats running for Illinois governor, from left, billionaire J.B. Pritzker, businessman Chris Kennedy, and state Sen. Daniel Biss, educator Robert Daiber, activist Tio Hardiman, and physician Robert Marshall take their podium positions before a televised forum Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, in Chicago. The six Democrats are vying for the chance to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on March 20. (John J. Kim | Chicago Tribune via Associated Press, Pool)