Kam Buckner's Difficult Path to the Speaker's Gavel
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) at the statehouse in 2025. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), seen as one of the top contenders to replace House Speaker Chris Welch, is facing pushback from his caucus as he’s seen as the top choice of the outgoing speaker.
Sources say Buckner has been calling members to court support for a run at the Speaker’s gavel, but has received few commitments from members thus far. We’re told many members are looking for a “clean break” from Welch’s term.
“I think people are pretty hesitant. A lot of people want a clean slate,” one top Democrat told The Illinoize on the condition of anonymity. “It’s not just Welch, it’s a lot of the people in his inner circle. Not all, but some of them have been big problems. If Kam wants to be seen as a serious contender, I think people are gonna want to hear what he’s gonna do differently.”
Other Democrats say they have an aversion to supporting Buckner, too.
“He would be Chris’ pick,” said another Democrat. “I don’t think that helps him at all.”
Buckner did not return messages seeking comment. He did confirm to the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ Wednesday he is planning to seek the Speaker job.
But he did have a prominent Democratic defender.
“I think as a decision maker, [Kam] would be terrific,” longtime Democratic strategist Thom Serafin told me on the radio yesterday. “He’s one of those guys that likes to do his job and move on without beating his chest.”
Sources say Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) and Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) are seen as two of the top tier candidates at this point. Rep Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) is also making calls, we’re told, though he appears to have a significantly narrower path to the Speaker’s job.
No member we have spoken to has heard from Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), who was expected to be a contender for the role.
Meanwhile, Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights) put out a statement Tuesday announcing she won’t run for Speaker.
“I want a Speaker who is prepared to strengthen House Democrats as a whole, both legislatively and politically, with a leadership team that reflects our caucus and a staff that is empowered and engaged,” Canty said. “I also hope to see an open, robust process that invites a wide field of candidates to come forward and have a real discussion with members about how we can improve the way the caucus operates.”
As for when Democrats may make a choice for a new Speaker, multiple members fear the battle will continue into January, days before the new General Assembly is sworn in.
“I think people want to take their time. I think we wanna get this right,” a Democrat member said. “There’s value in being deliberative and being methodical, really vetting all of these candidates’ visions.”
