Talk:Alice Palmer (Illinois politician)

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[edit] Missing specific date

I have been unable to find the specific date in January 1997 when she left the Illinois State Senate, although it is usually a day or so before the succession (which was by Barack Obama on Jnaury 8, 1997). If anyone locates this detail, please add it to both the infobox and the succession template. -- Scjessey (talk) 16:16, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Election results

  • Fremon, David K. (1988). Chicago politics, ward by ward. Bloomington: Indiana University Press ISBN 0253313449
    Appendix: 1988 Committeeman Elections, pp. 359–364:
    • Democratic Committeeman Results, 7th Ward (Democratic Primary Election, March 15, 1988)

      Alice Palmer -- 5,831 -- 60%
      William Beavers -- 3,972 -- 40%

  • State Board of Elections (1992). State of Illinois Official Vote Cast at the Primary Election, General Primary, March 17, 1992, p. 117:
    • State Senator, Thirteenth Legislative District

      Alice J. Palmer (Democratic) -- 29,115 -- 82.94%
      Charlie Calvin (Democratic) -- 5,987 -- 17.05%

  • State Board of Elections (1992). State of Illinois Official Vote Cast at the General Election, November 3, 1992, p. 46:
    • State Senator, Thirteenth Legislative District

      Alice J. Palmer (Democratic) -- 69,989 -- 100.00%

  • Scammon, Richard M.; McGillivray, Alice V.; Cook, Rhodes (1998). America votes 22 : a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1996. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly ISBN 0871879182, p. 7:
    • United States, Special Elections to the 104th Congress, Representatives, Illinois 2nd CD

      November 28, 1995 Special Democratic Primary
      Jesse Jackson Jr. -- 30,017 -- 48.2%
      Emil Jones Jr. -- 24,097 -- 38.7%
      Alice Palmer -- 6,343 -- 10.2%
      Monique D. Davis -- 1,519 -- 2.4%
      John F. Morrow -- 252 -- 0.4%

      December 12, 1995 Special Election
      Jesse Jackson Jr. (Democratic) -- 48,145 -- 76.0%
      Thomas Joseph "T.J." Somer (Republican) -- 15,171 -- 24.0%

  • Scammon, Richard M.; McGillivray, Alice V.; Cook, Rhodes (1998). America votes 22 : a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1996. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly ISBN 0871879182, p. 204:
    • Illinois Democratic Primary March 19, 1996,Congressional District 2

      Jesse Jackson Jr. -- 60,293 -- 100.00%

  • State Board of Elections (1996). State of Illinois Official Vote Cast at the Primary Election, General Primary, March 19, 1996, p. 109:
    • State Senator, Thirteenth Legislative District

      Barack Obama (Democratic) -- 16,279 -- 100.00%

  • State Board of Elections (1996). State of Illinois Official Vote Cast at the General Election, November 5, 1996, p. 32:
    • State Senator, Thirteenth Legislative District

      Barack Obama (Democratic) -- 48,592 -- 82.15%
      David Whitehead (Harold Washington Party) -- 7,461 -- 12.61%
      Rosette Caldwell Peyton (Republican) -- 3,091 -- 5.22%

  • Austin, Jan (ed.) (1996). Congressional quarterly almanac : 104th Congress, 1st session ... 1995, Volume LI. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly ISBN 1568022662, p. 12-7:
    • House Special Elections, Illinois -- 2nd

      Jackson's election was presaged by his solid plurality victory over three veteran state legislators in the Nov. 28 Democratic special primary. Jackson eclipsed two well-established state senators and two other Democrats, winning 48.2 percent of the vote.

      Jackson's closest rival was state Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones Jr., who managed 38.7 percent for second place. He was followed by state Sen. Alice J. Palmer with 10.2 percent.

      The top three Democratic candidates, Jackson, Jones and Palmer all topped the $200,000 mark, according to Federal Election Commission figures as of Nov. 8. Jackson, however, had the highest total receipts, $261,239, of all the candidates who filed reports with the FEC.

Newross (talk) 21:08, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] 2nd Congressional District campaign and aftermath timeline

This article and Barack Obama and Illinois Senate career of Barack Obama need major revision.

  • Neal, Steve (December 28, 1993). Weak field puts Reynolds in front. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 17:

    But Reynolds is headed for probable renomination over weak competition in the March 15 primary. A more formidable potential rival was deterred from making the race because State Sen. William Shaw and Ald. Allan Streeter (17th) were already in the field against Reynolds. Neither Shaw nor Streeter is a credible alternative to Reynolds.

    State Sen. Alice J. Palmer (D-Chicago), who studied a possible challenge to Reynolds, could have sent Reynolds into early retirement.

    She impressed leaders of organized labor as one of the more articulate critics of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Reynolds, who had been against NAFTA, buckled under pressure from the Clinton and Daley administrations and voted for the controversial trade pact.

    Among the reasons Palmer didn't make the race were Shaw and Streeter. Palmer could have possibly won even with Shaw and Streeter in the race.

    Without Palmer in the race, Reynolds is sitting pretty.

  • Neal, Steve (August 29, 1994). Palmer could be contender in 2nd. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 23:

    A Palmer bid also would be fueled by women's political organizations. Just as the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill hearings brought cash into female political causes, a Palmer candidacy would attract support from women angered by the allegations of sexual misconduct against Reynolds and predecessor Gus Savage.

    Palmer was encouraged by black independents to challenge Reynolds for Congress in the March primary. But when two others got into the race, she stayed out.

    Palmer is also touted as a '95 mayoral contender. But Palmer is focusing on the 2nd congressional district. If she wins that race, City Hall could be in her future.

  • Kuczka, Susan (November 22, 1994). State Sen. Palmer ponders a bid for Reynolds' 2nd district post. Chicago Tribune, p. 2
  • Neal, Steve (November 25, 1994). Palmer beats Jackson Jr. to punch. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 49:

    If the younger Jackson joins forces with Palmer, South Side Democratic leaders predicted that Jackson could win Palmer's seat in the Illinois Senate. As a state senator, the younger Jackson could seek higher office in the future and would be an important new voice in Democratic politics. If he runs against Palmer and loses, his promising career could be cut short.

  • Hevrdejs, Judy; Conklin, Mike (June 16, 1995).Changing of guard in schools puts Daley staff at head of class. Chicago Tribune, p. 28:

    Groundbreaker: No one we talked to can remember a Muslim getting elected to the Illinois Senate, but that's the goal of Gha-is F. Askia, who's holding a funder Saturday in the American Islamic College here. Askia works in Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan's office, but will run as a Dem for Alice Palmer's seat in the 13th District.

  • Hardy, Thomas (June 28, 1995). Palmer seeks to replace Reynolds; 'Pray for him, vote for me,' legislator says. Chicago Tribune, p. 3:

    Palmer was elected to a full term in 1992 and will be giving up her legislative seat to run for Congress.

  • Hevrdejs, Judy; Conklin, Mike (July 7, 1995). Something different, Democrats don't add a Senate candidate. Chicago Tribune, p. 20:

    Polpourri: . . . Barack Obama will announce he's running for the state Senate seat occupied by Alice Palmer, who's running for Reynolds' U.S. congressional seat. Obama, who has worked with Palmer, is an attorney at Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland--and newly published author of "Dreams from My Father."

  • Hardy, Thomas (August 23, 1995). Candidates line up for Reynolds' spot. Chicago Tribune, p. 23:

    Palmer, 56, announced last month that she will forgo re-election to her legislative seat next year to run for Congress.

  • Pearson, Rick; Locin, Mitchell (September 12, 1995). Voting set on successor to Reynolds; Nov. 28 primary OKd; filing to begin Oct. 2 Chicago Tribune, p. 1
  • Fornek, Scott (September 15, 1995). Sen. Jones is joining the pack; Will bid for Reynolds' House seat. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 6:

    News of Jones' decision came as supporters of a rival candidate, state Sen. Alice J. Palmer (D-Chicago), held a City Hall press conference to ask Jones and other candidates to stay out of the race. The group also called for state Rep. Monique D. Davis (D-Chicago) and Jesse Jackson Jr. to drop out of the race.

  • Strausberg, Chinta (September 19, 1995). Harvard lawyer eyes Palmer seat. Chicago Defender, p. 3:

    Although the 13th District state senatorial seat has yet to be vacated, civil rights attorney Barack Obama Monday said he's throwing his hat in the race and plans to win.

    With the political blessings of incumbent State Sen. Alice Palmer (D-13), who's running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the Second Congressional District, Obama is set to officially announce his candidacy 6 p.m. tonight at the Ramada Inn, 4900 S. Lake Shore Drive.

  • Neal, Steve (October 27, 1995). Palmer drops to 3rd in 2nd district race. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 37
  • Fornek, Scott (October 29, 1995). Foot soldiers for the '96 elections. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 14:

    Election season is officially open, and hordes of volunteers, precinct captains and political aides want your autograph. They're at your supermarket, your bowling alley - even your front door.

    They have until Dec. 18 to collect the signatures their candidates must file with the state Board of Elections to run in next year's election.

    "It is really a thankless job, but they are essential," says Carol Harwell, campaign manager for Democratic state senate candidate Barack Obama. "No candidate could run without them."

    And the circulators must ensure that those casually scribbled signatures - registered voters only - withstand challenges by rival candidates, said Michael Daly, campaign manager for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Richard J. Durbin.

    "There are dozens of pieces of little things that have to be dotted and crossed for a petition to be a legal and approved document."

    For the record, the petitions are legally required to demonstrate that the candidate has enough support from registered voters to be on the ballot - even though signing is not a commitment to vote for the candidate. The number of signatures needed varies for different offices and parties.

  • editorial (November 14, 1995). Another chance in the 2nd district. Chicago Tribune, p. 16:

    It's time to select an honest, compassionate, level-headed leader, someone who won't produce any unexpected and unwanted surprises.

    Democratic primary voters can go a long way toward that end by nominating state Sen. Alice Palmer (D-Chicago.) She is warmly endorsed by the Tribune.

    She has formidable opposition in Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones (D-Chicago), state Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) and Jesse Jackson Jr., field director for the National Rainbow Coalition. Jones is an affable and experienced legislator. Davis is a political veteran too. Jackson has inherited much of his father's flair for the well-turned phrase.

    But none of them can match Palmer's political independence and wisdom; none offers so much hope of establishing the 2nd District as the home of a congressional leader.

  • editorial (November 24, 1995). Emil Jones deserves election to Congress. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 53:

    State Sen. Alice Palmer (D-Chicago) also is bright and articulate, but fails to grasp as well as Jones the issues that concern the district's voters.

  • Briggs, Michael (November 28, 1995). Jones gets big boost of money at the end. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 9:

    In a final fund-raising flurry, Jones raked in $74,000 during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to records made public Monday. That was enough to cover a personal loan he had made to his campaign and pushed to at least $353,258 the total he has raised this year.

    Jackson, meanwhile, continued to tap donors from other states. The $45,000 that Jackson raised during the past three weeks (which also matched a loan he made to his campaign) included $1,000 donations from O.J. Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran, actor Bill Cosby and poet Maya Angelou. The donations brought his total fund-raising to at least $306,239.

    State Sen. Alice J. Palmer (D-Chicago) dropped out of the competition for campaign money after putting together a formidable organization that raised $200,036 earlier in the year. A consultant said Palmer stopped soliciting donations as the campaign drew to a close and polls showed her a distant third. Contributions to Palmer all but dried up during the past three weeks, when she took in only $3,000 from three donors.

  • Hardy, Thomas; Rubin, Bonnie Miller (November 29, 1995). Jesse Jackson Jr. rolls over veteran opponents; Somer wins GOP primary. Chicago Tribune, p. 1 (Metro):

    A disappointed Palmer told a small gathering at a Harvey hotel that she wouldn't seek re-election to the state Senate and was undecided about entering the March primary for the 2nd District seat.

  • Strausberg, Chinta (December 5, 1995). Draft Palmer campaign launched. Chicago Defender, p. 4:

    Supporters of Sen. Alice Palmer (D-13) Monday began a draft movement to persuade her to run again for her state senatorial seat after learning she's keeping a promise to back a relatively unknown African American attorney for the post.

    Prior to Palmer's losing the Nov. 28 special Second Congressional District race, she reportedly promised attorney Barack Obama, 34, to support him in his bid to win her senatorial seat, since her supporters had convinced her she would win the congressional race.

    Obama, who was born in Hawaii and who has lived in Hyde Park for a decade, said he's meeting with Palmer today over the issue and is planning on filing more than 3,000 petitions Monday in Springfield.

    Repeated efforts to reach Palmer failed; however, on the night of the primary, she reportedly told reporters she would not run for the Senate. Members of her own committee confirmed her decision but are lobbying hard to change her mind.

    Rep. Lou Jones (D-5) said Palmer is a "very principled person. When she announced her congressional candidacy, she told Obama she would support him."

    "I'm saddened by her decision not to run for Senate." Starks said, crediting her rationale on her "abysmal showing" in the Nov. 28 primary. Starks and others say Palmer was dismayed at receiving only 3,426 votes in suburban Cook County, and 2,917 or 7.37 percent, of the city voter vs. Jesse Jackson Jr., who received 9,426 of the suburban Cook County and chalked up 52.05 percent of the city vote.

  • De Zutter, Hank (December 8, 1995). What Makes Obama Run? Chicago Reader, pp. 1, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24.

    Obama is certainly not the first candidate to talk about the politics of community empowerment. His views, for instance, are not that different from those of the person he would replace, state senator Alice Palmer, who gave Obama her blessing after deciding to run for the congressional seat vacated by Mel Reynolds. She promised Obama that if she lost--which is what happened on November 28--she wouldn't then run against him to keep her senate seat.

  • Hardy, Thomas (December 19, 1995). Jackson foe now wants old job back; Palmer must now battle own endorsee. Chicago Tribune, p. 3 (Metro):

    "Michael Jordan can come back, and so have I," Palmer said in response to the mild controversy created by the filing of her nominating petitions.

    Obama, however, accused Palmer of breaking her word and acknowledged that he was being pressured to withdraw in deference to the incumbent.

    Palmer had set the stage for her conflict last summer when she launched her congressional campaign and declared that she would forgo re-election for a second term in the state Senate; she endorsed Obama for the seat Sept. 19.

    "I am disappointed that she's decided to go back on her word to me," Obama said. He argued that Palmer's action was "indicative of a political culture, where self-preservation comes in rather than service."

  • Strausberg, Chinta (December 19, 1995). Palmer OKs draft to run for re-election. Chicago Defender, p. 3:

    Accepting a draft from a bevy of supporters, State Sen. Alice J. Palmer (D-13) Monday agreed to run for re-election, prompting one opponent to place his possible candidacy on hold.

    Ending nearly two weeks of intense pressure from her supporters, including professor Robert Starks, activist Mark Allen, State Rep. Lou Jones (D-5), Ald. Barbara Holt (5), State Sens. Emil Jones and Arthur Berman, and others, Palmer confirmed she's running for re-election.

    She made the announcement during a press conference held at Harper's, 1528 E. 63rd St., Starks and Allen said Palmer "has the best track record" of the candidates.

    But, while her supporters were elated, her key opponent, attorney Barack Obama, who had received Palmer's political blessings before the primary, isn't pleased at all.

    Expressing disappointment that Palmer has opted to run and has apparently rescinded an earlier commitment to his candidacy, Obama told reporters: "I believe that I can provide that leadership.

    "In light of today's events, I intend to talk to my supporters before making any final decision." Obama said he's remaining in the race "not simply for a short-term personal victory but to make a difference for all of the residents of his district.

    He said several months ago, Palmer reportedly asked him for his support of her congressional candidacy.

    "Aware of her reputation for integrity and her progressive views on the issues, I wholeheartedly agreed," Obama said.

    "On Sept. 19, based on Palmer's insistence that she was not running for state senator in the event she lost as well as her enthusiastic support, I announced that I would run for the Senate," Obama said.

    But the political dynamics changed after the Nov. 28 primary that saw Jesse Jackson Jr. nominated and Palmer's supporters began insisting that she break that commitment made to Obama prior to the election and run for re-election.

  • Strausberg, Chinta (December 21, 1995). Palmer challenger says he won't step aside in race. Chicago Defender, p. 3:

    Civil rights attorney Barack Obama, 34, Wednesday confirmed he's staying in the state senatorial race for the 13th District seat currently held by Alice Palmer, who's been drafted to run again after losing the Second District U.S. congressional primary.

    Obama chided Palmer for reportedly telling him she would not run for her Senate seat while she was running for Congress and he said he'll let the voters decide who's best for the district come March 19.

    "I've made a commitment to a great number of volunteers ... people who've gone out on cold days and circulated petitions, raised funds on my behalf and after talking to them, they feel very strongly that we're talking about the right issues. We offer a vision for the future," Obama said.

  • Walls, Sunya (December 25, 1995). Alice Palmer decides to run for re-election. Chicago Weekend, p. 2:

    Although her run to fill the seat of the Second Congressional District was unsuccessful, State Senator Alice Palmer (D-13) has decided to run for re-election in the Illinois Senate.

    During a press conference at Harpers Banquet Hall, 1528 E. 63rd Street, she accepted a draft of over 100 supporters to keep her seat. Supporters included State Rep. Lou Jones, founder of the Black Independent Political Organization, Bob Starks, Chair of the Task Force for Black Political Empowerment, Alderman Barbara Holt, and State Senators Emil Jones and Donne Trotter.

    Mark Allen, who worked as field organizer for Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s campaign, said he would aid Palmer in her re-election.

    This will be Palmer's first bid for re-election and immediately following the press conference, she headed to Springfield to file her nominating petitions. In a call to Citizen Newspapers, the senator said it took her some time to decide to run for re-election.

    Palmer had originally endorsed attorney Barack Obama to fill her seat, but changed her mind, she said, because of the tremendous support and draft by constituents.

    "I had said I would help someone else and that is one of the reasons I was reluctant but the draft was so big," Palmer stated. While in Springfield, Palmer filed 1,600 petition signatures for the re-election. Even though she didn't officially announce her re-election until this week, supporters gathered the signatures in 10 days, Palmer said.

  • Sneed, Michael (January 11, 1996). Sneed. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 4:

    Scoopsville . . . It's a shocker: Watch for state Sen. Alice Palmer to be knocked off the ballot in her re-election bid.

    Why? Palmer, who just lost a bid to capture former U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds' seat to Jesse Jackson Jr., did not have enough valid signatures on her nominating petition. (She needed 757 valid signatures and sources say she is going to be a couple of hundred short.) Unbelievable.

  • (January 18, 1996). Area Briefs; Palmer out again. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 14:

    State Sen. Alice J. Palmer (D-Chicago) did another political about-face Wednesday, canceling her on-again, off-again re-election plans. The South Shore Democrat said she was withdrawing to avoid losing a legal challenge to the nominating petitions she filed with the state Board of Elections. In a surprise move, Palmer, 56, announced last month that she would seek re-election, a reversal of an earlier decision to step down after she lost the election for the congressional seat vacated by Mel Reynolds. Her re-entry prompted supporters of rival Democrat Barack Obama, 34, whom Palmer had previously endorsed, to file the objection to her petitions.

  • Ryan, Nancy; Hardy, Thomas (January 18, 1996). Sen. Palmer ends bid for re-election. Chicago Tribune, p. 6 (Metro):

    Then Palmer angered some supporters by deciding to run for re-election to the General Assembly, even though she already had endorsed a successor, lawyer Barack Obama.

    Obama didn't much appreciate Palmer's move, and a volunteer in his campaign challenged hundreds of the 1,580 signatures that Palmer had collected on her nominating petitions. Because of her last-minute decision to re-enter the race, Palmer had only about two weeks to collect all of the signatures.

    "When she got back in the race, a number of my supporters were surprised and didn't think that she could have gathered enough good signatures in two weeks," Obama said.

  • Strausberg, Chinta (January 18, 1996). Palmer throws in the towel; Lack of signatures forcing State Senator not to seek re-election. Chicago Defender, p. 3:

    Sen. Alice Palmer (D-13) Wednesday announced she's no longer running for re-election because she doesn't have enough signatures to get on the March 19 ballot.

    Last November, she announced she would not run for state office again and threw her support behind Obama, a civil rights attorney, but drew criticism from her foes when her supporters convinced her to run for re-election.

    "I got involved in this race based on Alice's original endorsement, and I continue to respect her and she has made significant contributions to the community," Obama said.

    Palmer said she did not have enough signatures to get on the March 19 primary.

    "We got 561 signatures but the total number required was 757," Palmer said explaining that she filed 1,580 signatures.

  • Walls, Sunya. (January 21, 1996). Alice Palmer Withdraws from race for re-election. Chicago Weekend, p. 3:

    Senator Alice Palmer (13th) has decided to withdraw from the senate race after learning she did not receive enough signatures on the petitions to run for re-election.

    Palmer had originally endorsed candidate Barack Obama to fill her seat, but then changed her mind after she was drafted by several supporters.

    Jackie Saul, election specialist with the State Board of Elections, said each candidate must submit a minimum of 757 signatures and Palmer went over the number with 81 pages filed.

    Palmer said they obtained 1,580 signatures for her re-election, but some of those names were deleted because of several problems with the signatures that don't go along city guidelines.

    Saul said the most common problem with petitions is people sign petitions but they're not registered or they may be registered but don't live within the boundaries of where the election is being held.

    Saul said anyone can challenge the validity of signatures in elections, and it's a common occurrence but the allegations must be proven.

  • Castillo, Ruben (U.S. District Judge) (March 4, 1996). Marc Ewell, Plaintiff, v. Board of Election Commissioners, Michael J. Hamblet, Chairman, Defendants. v. Barack Obama and Ronald Davis, Intervening Defendants. No. 96 C 823. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

    To be valid, the petitions had to contain the signatures of 757 qualified, registered and legal voters of the Democratic party who reside within the Thirteenth District.

    On December 26, 1995, defendant Ronald Davis (a supporter of candidate Barack Obama) filed an objection to the nomination petitions of Ewell and three other candidates with defendant Board and with the State Board of Elections.

    Davis' objections to Ewell's candidacy were examined by Lewis Powell, a hearing officer appointed by the Board. After a public hearing at which Ewell was represented by counsel, Powell determined that Ewell had only 671 valid signatures and Davis's objection to his petitions was therefore sustained.

    The Board's decision that Ewell's petitions were invalid indicates that his name will be removed from the Primary ballot. Likewise, pursuant to Davis' other objections, two other candidates' petitions were invalidated and the other challenged candidate withdrew. As a result, only one candidate, Barack Obama, remains eligible.

  • editorial (October 16, 1996). Illinois Senate endorsements. Chicago Tribune, p. 22:

    13th District (South Side): Democrat Barack Obama, an attorney, law professor and community activist, is a worthy successor to retiring Sen. Alice Palmer. Obama has potential as a political leader and is endorsed over Republican Rosette Peyton and the Harold Washington Party's David Whitehead.

  • editorial (October 27, 1996). Our endorsements for Illinois Senate. Chicago Sun-Times, p. 39:

    13th District (South and Southwest sides): Democrat Barack Obama, a lawyer and community activist, is the clear choice over Republican Rosette Caldwell Peyton and Harold Washington candidate David Whitehead.

Newross (talk) 03:43, 26 April 2008 (UTC)