Sources: Delgado Working to Secure Votes for Speaker
Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) in 2024. (Photo: Chicago Sun-Times)
Multiple sources say Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) spent much of the weekend working to cobble together a coalition broad enough to help her reach the 60 votes necessary to become Speaker of the House in January.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the House Democrats we spoke to say Delgado appears to be hoping to bring enough votes from the Latino caucus and Women’s caucuses, of which she belongs, and is attempting to peel off enough Black caucus to lock up the piece together the votes she needs.
Delgado has not returned messages from The Illinoize.
Sources say Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) has also been working the phones since last week gauging interest in a potential run for Speaker.
“I don’t think he’s finding a ton of support,” one House Democrat said.
Sources believe both Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria, and Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights) are gearing up to seek the role but haven’t been actively asking other members for support yet.
Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) and Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) have also been mentioned as potential candidates, though their interest hasn’t been fully revealed.
Democrats have yet to lay out a timeline for choosing a Speaker.
