Atty. Gen. Neil Hartigan launched his 1986 campaign for governor Tuesday night by making his case against the three-term Republican incumbent he hopes to replace.
Hartigan, 47, who is expected to receive the formal backing of the state Democratic Party later this year, accused Gov. James Thompson of ignoring the state`s problems and ”waiting for a poll to tell us what our priorities should be.”
”I want to bring back hope and opportunity,” Hartigan told a cheering crowd of more than 1,000 Downstate Democrats at a campaign fundraising barbecue. ”How do we do it? By unleashing the brightest, the most creative talent in this state and infusing our government with a renewed sense of excitement amd mission.”
Though Hartigan will not formally announce his candidacy until around Labor Day, his remarks Tuesday removed any doubts about his plans. Hartigan aides were passing out blue and white ”Hartigan for Governor” stickers during the fundraiser.
Thompson has said that he will announce next month whether he intends to seek re-election.
Republican and Democratic polls have indicated that Thompson and Hartigan are running about even. According to GOP sources, Thompson is leading Hartigan by 4 percentage points in the governor`s own poll.
Hartigan suggested that Thompson`s ”Build Illinois” public works initiative and his education reform package were an admission of his failure to confront the state`s problems of the last decade.
”These are the governor`s new slogans, and they are as wholesome as motherhood and apple pie. The problem is, they`re just slogans and they come nine years and three terms too late.”
Hartigan also used the occasion to criticize another Thompson pet project, the $172.6 million State of Illinois Center in Chicago`s Loop, as a
”gaudy, impractical palace” built with funding ”which could have been better spent elsewhere.”
”We`re going to build Illinois after 1986,” Hartigan said, ”but with the right priorities in place and a new architect.”
He also taunted the Republican governor for not spending enough time in Springfield. ”We`re going to return the state capital to Springfield. Lincoln brought it here, and if it was good enough for Lincoln, it ought to be good enough for Gov. Thompson.”
Hartigan acknowledged that Thompson is ”a clever politician,” who is
”quick with the slogan,” and ”takes care of his friends,” but Hartigan said ”there is more to leadership than that.”
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D., Chicago), who is considering a primary race against Hartigan, showed up for the fundraiser and made brief remarks. Madigan recalled working with Hartigan for the late Mayor Richard Daley and wished Hartigan ”good luck in the future.”
Among the other prominent Democrats attending Hartigan`s campaign kickoff was State Senate President Philip Rock (D., Oak Park) and State Comptroller Roland Burris. According to Democratic sources, Hartigan is likely to push for a ticket that would include Burris as the endorsed candidate for attorney general and Rock for state treasurer.
Under such an arrangement, State Treasurer James Donnewald would reportedly be willing to step aside for Rock, a longtime political ally.
Hartigan returned to Springfield for the first time in two months after having an appendectomy. ”It`s a rule of politics that you try to lose a little weight before a campaign,” he quipped, ”but there must be an easier way. Next time maybe I`ll try racquetball and call Jim Thompson at whatever law firm he`s working at.”
Hartigan said that he expected to raise about $150,000 from three fundraising events Tuesday and would have about $850,000 in his campaign war chest by early next month.
