Decision to Run Again Is Patronage Gift to Madigan Machine

“For a second time, Jesse White is breaking his pledge to voters not to run for re-election. It’s no surprise, coming from a career politician and Madigan patronage chief who consistently breaks his word.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe

After a disastrous license plate rollout called “ghastly” and “a mashup of indiscernible clip art” by members of the press,  Secretary of State Jesse White today announced he would run for re-election.

The announcement comes after White repeatedly promised he would not run for re-election.

In 2009, White told the Southern that “if re-elected to a fourth term in 2010, he will retire in 2014 and pursue only volunteer work.”

White broke that promise in 2014, running for re-election.

“This will be it,” he told the Daily Herald.

In 2015, White doubled down, saying “I’m not running in this next election.”

And in 2016, White said “You can take it to the bank. This is it. This is my last tour of duty.”

The Chicago Sun-Times then reported that Madigan wanted to change White’s mind. Now Jesse White has obliged.

White’s decision to break his promise is a gift to Madigan. Jesse White is well known for a “pattern of patronage” in his office. Mike Madigan relies on this patronage for his political machine.

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