U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) is the new state party leader. | File Photo
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) is the new state party leader. | File Photo
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) has been tapped to succeed Mike Madigan as the Illinois Democratic Party chairman.
In a weighted vote, Kelly edged out Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris with 52% of the vote. Harris received 48%.
"We as Democrats are at our best when we have vigorous debate, and then come together for the betterment of the party and our country," Kelly said, ABC 7 reported.
Kelly's installation is widely seen as a setback for Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who backed Harris in an attempt to consolidate much of the state's power in Chicago. Kelly was supported by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Pritzker is up for reelection in 2022.
Top Democrats from across the state meet virtually on March 3 to hold the vote. Supporters of Kelly pointed to her appeal of the urban-suburban-rural demographic her 2nd Congressional District is composed of as a strength as the party seeks to compete with Republicans for those critical voters.
The state's longest-serving lawmaker, Madigan, recently stepped down from his chair position amid a storm of controversy stemming from his alleged involvement in a federal corruption probe involving ComEd.
At the same time, he resigned from his 22nd District House seat and was replaced by Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) as the House speaker.
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