Meeks Seeks Support

Pro-life Illinois state Sen. James Meeks continues to explore the possibility of running as a 3rd party candidate for governor. Meeks, who is also a Baptist minister, won in his first run for public office as an independent, upsetting the Democrat incumbent. He is an interesting candidate and poses possibilities. As I said in my earlier post, The Moral Center, if Meeks comes out in favor of real school choice he will have my vote. Sun Times:

The Chicago City Council's black caucus met with state Sen. James Meeks on Monday and agreed to back Meeks' possible third-party gubernatorial bid unless Gov. Blagojevich commits as much as $4 billion during the next four years to African-American causes.....

Ald. Beale said he expects Blagojevich to deliver on the $1 billion-a-year funding commitment for schools, job training, help for released prisoners and building needs by May 31, or the wheels will be set in motion to get Meeks and a slate of third-party candidates on the fall ballot.

Here's the mayor:

Mayor Daley, meanwhile, weighed in on the potentially devastating threat Meeks poses to Blagojevich.

When asked if Meeks had the ability to torpedo Blagojevich and perhaps the rest of the Democratic ticket in the fall, the mayor said, "Sure. Sure, that's happened before. That's a reality."

And in the Tribune, Chicago alderman Howard Brookins:

Rather than being a spoiler who would hurt Blagojevich in his contest against Republican Judy Baar Topinka, the anti-abortion rights Meeks could win in a three-way race, Brookins said.

"He stands in stark contrast to the two nominated candidates, especially with regard to abortion rights," he said.

A huge pro-Meeks turnout in the African-American community would mean that he could win with less than 40 percent of the rest of the vote, Brookins said.

Interesting times in Illinois.