26 House Democrats Say They Won't Back Welch for Another Term as Speaker
House Speaker Chris Welch’s job appears to be teetering on the edge. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
House Speaker Chris Welch’s six year run leading the chamber may be coming to an end after 26 members of his Democratic caucus say they won’t support him for another term.
In a statement released late Wednesday night, the 26 members say they’ve lost confidence in Welch in recent months.
“Over the course of the last few months, we have grown increasingly convinced that the House Democratic Caucus needs new leadership,” the statement reads. “We represent a broad spectrum of our caucus, and each have come to this decision for our own reasons. We look forward to a robust race for a new Speaker of the House.”
With a majority expected to be somewhere between 82-86 members, Welch would still be able to win a majority in a caucus vote, but wouldn’t be able to secure the 60 votes necessary on the floor to capture the gavel for the next two years.
Multiple sources say members are frustrated with the way he interacted with members, “chaos” within House Democratic staff, his handling of allegations against former Rep. Harry Benton, and the scandal that surrounded Welch’s interactions online with the same former staffer.
It isn’t clear yet if Welch will continue to pursue the job in 2026. Leadership elections typically occur during the fall veto session, which begins November 17. Welch’s office did not respond to requests for comment early Thursday morning.
If Welch doesn’t run or is challenged for the post, numerous names have been floated by other Democrats, including Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago), and Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), none of whom signed the letter. Other potential candidates include Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago), Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights), and Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago).
Here is the full list of signatories:
Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock (D-Villa Park)
Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights)
Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago)
Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington)
Rep. Justin Cochran (D-Des Plaines)
Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates)
Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa (D-Glen Ellyn)
Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago)
Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove)
Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman (D-Plainfield)
Rep. Mary Gill (D-Chicago)
Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview)
Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (D-Chicago)
Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora)
Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero)
Rep. Gregg Johnson (D-East Moline)
Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl (D-Northbrook)
Rep.-Elect Paul Kendrick, Chicago
Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet)
Rep. Joyce Mason (D-Gurnee)
Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield)
Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg)
Rep.-Elect Maria Peterson, North Barrington
Rep. Anne Stava (D-Downers Grove)
Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville)
Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr (D-Elwood)
