Michael Madigan Suspends His Campaign For Illinois House Speaker

The embattled lawmaker says this is not a withdrawal and that Democrats should find someone else to win the 60 votes needed to become speaker.

Michael Madigan Suspends His Campaign For Illinois House Speaker
In this July 21, 2015 file photo, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Springfield. Seth Perlman, File
Michael Madigan Suspends His Campaign For Illinois House Speaker
In this July 21, 2015 file photo, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Springfield. Seth Perlman, File

Michael Madigan Suspends His Campaign For Illinois House Speaker

The embattled lawmaker says this is not a withdrawal and that Democrats should find someone else to win the 60 votes needed to become speaker.

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After more than three decades at the helm, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is suspending his campaign to retain his powerful leadership position. Madigan won only 51 votes in a closed-door roll call held Sunday by House Democrats.

Reset discusses what led to Madigan’s decision and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party in Illinois.

GUESTS: Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter

John Chase, director of investigations at Better Government Association