The day before a showdown vote she was destined to lose, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly on Friday withdrew her bid for a second term as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, clearing the way for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to install his pick to lead the party, state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez.
“I was elected as the first woman and the first Black chair of the DPI because of my vision for an inclusive, diverse, and people-first party,” Kelly, of Matteson, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that support for my re-election as chair will come up just shy of the necessary majority. Therefore, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for chair.
