Public Theology: A Message from John Schmidt

Dear Friends,

I have had the opportunity to work closely with a number of political leaders - from serving at the national level as Associate Attorney General of the United States to acting locally as Chief of Staff to Mayor Richard M. Daley - and that experience has impressed upon me the qualities that will be required to deal with the enormous financial and other challenges now facing the State of Illinois. Fortunately, there is a candidate in the race for Governor who I believe has those qualities and that is why I recently announced my support for Dan Hynes.

I have watched Dan over the years. We actually started out running for elected office at the same time in 1998, when I was a candidate in the Democratic primary for Governor and he was a candidate in the primary for Comptroller. He won his race, and I have watched him carry out the responsibilities of the Comptroller's office in an exemplary fashion over the past 11 years. He has been an honest watchdog over the budget and he stood up to two ethically challenged governors when few others would. Today I see that Dan has grown as a candidate, but more importantly, he has grown as a public official into the kind of calm, steady leader we need to get Illinois back on track.

I don't find it easy to oppose an incumbent Governor of my own party. But I have come to the conclusion - one that I find is shared by many others - that the incumbent is simply not capable of governing competently and effectively.

As Democrats, we have a profound obligation not to give our state another failed Governor. As citizens, setting aside any consideration of party, we have an obligation to do everything we can to elect a Governor who will govern competently and effectively at a time of enormous challenge to our state.

I am convinced Dan Hynes will be that Governor. That is why I stand behind him and I encourage you to do the same. Take a moment, e-mail your friends and ask them to sign up here to help Dan become the next Governor of the State of Illinois.

Sincerely,

John Schmidt