State Rep. Scott Drury Considers Bid For Governor

HIGHWOOD, IL — The only Democratic state representative in Illinois not to vote for House Speaker Michael Madigan's reelection to a 17th term said Monday he is considering a bid for the party's nomination for governor in next year's primary.

Rep. Scott Drury was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2012. He represents the 58th District, which includes Highwood, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Deerfield and parts of several other North Shore communities.

Drury sent an email to supporters Monday blaming both parties for Illinois' problems and announcing he is exploring a possible attempt to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Drury lost the vice-chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee after he voted "present" on the vote on Madigan's election as speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives in January. A Madigan spokesman denied the assignment was related to his vote.

Read his complete email to supporters below:

Friends:

With your encouragement, I have decided to explore a run for governor. By all accounts, Illinois is headed downhill. Partisan bickering, public corruption and uncontrolled violence have come to define our once great State. The public feels helpless against a billionaire governor and Democratic machine that refuse to prioritize people's needs over political gain. Governor Rauner's approval rating is dreadful, and Mike Madigan's is even worse. The public believes Republicans and Democrats share the blame for the State's problems and knows that long-term solutions are needed.

Before running for public office, I was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago. In that position, I fought on the front lines of the battle to rid our State of public corruption and gun violence. Public service - not partisan politics - guided the mission.

Since taking office, my goal has been to usher in a new era of government in Illinois - one defined by credibility and responsibility. The public does not trust Illinois government. If Illinois is to change course and move forward, it first must establish a strong foundation of trust upon which it can build.

To that end, in January, I became the first Democrat in 30 years to refuse to support Mike Madigan in his quest to become Speaker of the Illinois House. The status quo has no place in the new era I envision. My vote represented the majority view of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, alike. While entrenched politicians did not like my actions, I sided with the public.

Further, back in 2015, I was the first Democrat to publicly set forth a viable solution to the budget standoff that is destroying our State - proposing that each party simultaneously submit a truly balanced budget, each of which would then be publicly debated and voted upon. The common-sense proposal received universal accolades. But those who see political value in keeping the impasse going have chosen to continue the destruction.

I recognize the enormity of trying to change the status quo in Illinois and the resistance the establishment will put forth to stop the effort. However, as Bob Dylan famously wrote, "the first one now will later be last, for the times they are a-changin'." The purpose of this exploration is to determine whether Illinois is ready for such change.

Scott R. Drury

Top photo: courtesy Friends of Scott Drury