Leadership Battle Begins Brewing After Welch Departure
Reps. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) and Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) are seen as potential candidates for House Speaker. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
House Speaker Chris Welch’s announcement late Thursday that he would not seek a fourth term as House Speaker set off a flurry of backchanneling and positioning for would-be successors.
Multiple sources say Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights), Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago), Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), and Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) have all been in contact with other members about their potential interest in the race.
The Illinoize reached out directly Thursday, either by phone or text message, to Buckner, Delgado, Hoffman, and Williams. None responded to our inquiries.
Speaking to WGN-TV last night, Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), one of the leaders of the effort to depose Welch, said she had no interest in seeking the job, while Canty did not rule out a run.
“What you could see this become is a battle of our caucuses,” one House Democrat told The Illinoize Thursday on the condition of anonymity. “The Black Caucus thinks this job belongs to them. The Women’s Caucus wants a Speaker really badly. Latinos want a Speakers. Progressives want a seat at the table. Moderates think they have a lane. This could devolve into a real mess.”
There could be as many as 50 women in the House Democratic caucus by the time the dust settles, giving women a potential lane to, essentially, install their own member as Speaker.
“But there are a lot of fractures in that caucus,” the Democrat said. “Some are Latinas and some are Blacks and some are moderates. Which side will they be loyal to?”
While leadership elections typically take place during the fall veto session, there’s significant speculation House Democrats will choose a candidate later in 2026 or, potentially, in the early days of 2027.
