The Civic Report

Chris Kennedy

Merchandise Mart boss Chris Kennedy, he of the golden name and golden pocketbook, has decided against drawing on his surname or his wealth to run for governor or the U.S. Senate, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Kennedy explained in an e-mail to friends why he opted not to run for the Senate:

In the end, I did not want to have to leave the state in order to serve it. They say love conquers all, and in my case, it conquered ambition. I realize that I would rather be a good husband and a good father than a good Washington politician.

His uncle Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) battle with cancer and the recent death of his aunt Eunice Shriver, a founder of the Special Olympics, had factored into his decision, Kennedy said.

I have been increasingly aware of the enormous contributions that my Uncle Teddy has made because of his service in the United States Senate.  I think the more we learn of his story, the more we want to carry on his legacy.

Bizarre reporting quirk: The Sun-Times Michael Sneed leads off her news article on Kennedy with this peculiar third-person reference to herself: “Sneed has learned the Merchandise Mart’s Chris Kennedy has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate — or any political office this year.”

Mark Kirk

Alexi Giannoulias

Cheryle Jackson

2010 U.S. Senate Race

Republican Mark Kirk edges out Democrats Alexi Giannoulias and Cheryle Jackson for the lead in the race for Barack Obama’s old Senate seat, a new Rasmussen poll finds.

On the Kirk-Giannoulias match-up, here is the question and the results:

In thinking about the 2010 Election for the United States Senate, suppose you had a choice between Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. If the election were held today would you vote for Republican Mark Kirk or Democrat Alexi Giannoulias?

41% Kirk

38% Giannoulias

4% Some other candidate

17% Not sure

Kirk bested Jackson 47 percent to 30 percent, with 6 percent saying some other candidate and 17 percent not sure.

Noteworthy tidbit: In each case, you’ll notice, 17 percent of respondents weren’t sure. Expect that to change as the race proceeds.

Stakes: Kirk is seeking to break the stranglehold Democrats have on statewide offices in Illinois. Many political observers consider him the Republicans’ best shot.

U.S. Senator Roland Burris

Now this is rich: Roland Burris told ABC News this week he might run for his senate seat after all.

Burris had said previously the fund-raising demands were too much and that he would not seek election to the seat Rod Blagojevich appointed him to.

Now apparently a chorus of people has arisen to beg the senator not to leave.

“What I’m still hearing,” Burris told ABC, is “people from all over the country and they are saying, ‘Don’t give up that seat.’”

Juicy quote: When asked if that meant he would be running after all, Burris said, “You never say never in this business.”

U.S. Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson

Chicago Urban League president Cheryle Jackson wants Barack Obama’s old U.S. Senate seat.

Although politically untested, Jackson has name recognition, especially in Chicago. She will face a field that includes fellow Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk.

The Associated Press makes special note that Jackson is African American.

Her entry into the race makes her the best-known black candidate to seek the seat that has been held by three of the nation’s four black senators in modern times. The Senate’s only black member – Roland Burris – currently holds it.

Blago baggage: Jackson served as Rod Blagojevich’s spokeswoman in his first term.

Strategy talk: Rival Alexi Giannoulias told Chicago Public Radio Tuesday he wouldn’t attack Jackson for her Blagojevich ties — for now.

Jackson quote: The Chicago Sun-Times, reporting on Jackson’s entry into the race, leads with this quote from her:

“I want to focus on the economy, jobs, I know a little something about that, helping to create jobs, supporting entrepreneurs to create jobs, connecting people to jobs, preparing and training people for jobs,” Jackson said.

What is the Urban League? An organization dedicated to economically empowering African Americans.