Danny K. Davis, the incumbent for the 7th District congressional seat in the primary election March 19, has picked up key endorsements in the past week, including those from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The 7th congressional seat, which represents much of Chicago’s West Side, plus suburban Oak Park and Forest Park, is a hotly contested race this election season as several challengers contest Davis’ position, which he’s held since 1997.
Davis is up against Kina Collins, an organizer who has run against him in the last two congressional elections, and Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Chicago’s treasurer. Nikhil Bhatia, a principal, and former Obama campaign staffer Kouri Marshall are also in the race.
Davis’ support from Pritzker and Johnson is largely backed by the congressman’s legislative record. Before he ran for the 7th District, Davis served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners and was alderman of the 29th Ward. In the 118th Congress, he is on the powerful Committee on Ways and Means and is the Subcommittee Ranking Member of the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee. He also serves on several congressional caucuses and is well-known for his work on affordable healthcare, criminal justice reform and civil rights issues.
According to Pritzker’s statement released March 1, Davis has sponsored nearly 7,000 bills, proposed another 375 and voted over 16,000 times.
“Danny has worked with his colleagues across the aisle to deliver investments and solutions for communities across his district,” Pritzker said in his endorsement announcement. “As a leader in criminal justice reform, Danny has shepherded through efforts to reduce mass incarceration, systemic racism and support rehabilitation programs.”
Pritzker added, “His unwavering commitment to defending our individual freedoms has never been more important for our future, and the future of this country, than it is right now. From a woman’s right to choose to voting rights to LGBTQ rights and civil rights, Congressman Danny Davis has been a true advocate for the ongoing mission of advancing social justice.”
At his endorsement announcement, Pritzker was joined by former Governor Patrick Quinn, former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle.
Mayor Johnson’s endorsement
Johnson also announced his endorsement for Davis Monday, like Pritzker, citing Davis’ track record of delivering results and his advocacy for social justice and economic equity.
“In Congressman Danny K. Davis, we have a dedicated leader who consistently fights for the interests of our community, always has and always will,” Johnson said in a statement. “From securing critical funding for infrastructure projects to championing legislation that supports working families, Congressman Davis has been an effective voice for our city and our district.”
Johnson added, “Congressman Davis is my congressman, he is my neighbor and my friend. I am proud to stand with Congressman Davis in his reelection campaign.”
Other endorsements for Davis
Last month, the Clergy Coalition, a group of faith-based organizations and religious leadership that has supported Davis since 1997, announced their endorsement with 89 letters from the local church community.
“Seniority and tenure are critical,” Dr. Michael Eaddy, pastor at People’s Church of the Harvest on West 5th Avenue, told Austin Weekly News in the past. “A part of what we are doing is maintaining our gains. That’s our rally cry: Maintain the gains.”
Other politicians who have endorsed Davis include Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Senator Dick Durbin, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegl, plus the mayors of Maywood, Hillside, Bellwood, Broadview and Forest Park. Davis has also received endorsements from state senators for the 3rd, 4th, 5th Districts and state representatives for the 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 78th Districts, and 14 aldermen.
Despite these endorsements, arguments against Davis, 82, cite his age and ethics as reasons against his reelection.
“Age or ageism has become a number one issue in this election. And it’s not just his campaign, it’s the presidential campaign as well,” Delmarie Cobb, owner of The Publicity Works, a political consulting and media relations firm in Chicago has told Austin Weekly News in the past. “People are using it either directly or indirectly to say it’s time for a new generation of leaders.” Despite these comments, Cobb added, “He is considered one of the most progressive congressmen in Congress, no matter what age.”
In January, constituent Tellis Parnell Sr. filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee, claiming that Davis used congressional funds to buy campaign advertising. The Davis campaign has denied the allegations.
“If the perception is — and I do think he has this perception — that Danny’s a good guy and that he’s right on the issues, they may be willing to overlook that, versus someone else who they don’t really know,” Cobb said.