Chicago’s Democratic establishment came out in force Friday for U.S. Rep. Danny Davis as he heads into the final stretch of a primary campaign for the seat he’s held since 1997.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, freshman U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, former Gov. Pat Quinn and former Secretary of State Jesse White were among the elected officials standing at the microphones with Davis during a morning stop at Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, a regular stop for the city’s political class on the Near West Side.
“If those individuals are willing to stand and say that you are doing and have done a good job, it matters not what anybody else says, it matters not what anybody else believes,” said Davis, who has made his seniority in Congress and his position on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee key components of his pitch to voters for a 15th term.
Davis faces four challengers, including Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and third-time opponent Kina Collins, in the March 19 primary for the 7th Congressional District seat.
Collins, who lost to Davis by 6 points in 2022, and Conyears-Ervin both have argued that it’s time for new representation for the district, which centers on the West Side but stretches from the lakefront to western suburbs past the the Tri-State Tollway, and from Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood on the North Side to West Englewood on the South Side.
But Davis’ backers say the longtime congressman has delivered for his district and the state during his almost three decades in Washington.
Pritzker praised Davis for his work on issues including health care, housing, criminal justice and social services.
“Throughout his time in Congress, Danny has worked with his colleagues, even those across the aisle, to deliver investments and solutions for the communities across his district,” said Pritzker, who endorsed Davis last summer.
The display of endorsements came two days after a group of influential Black clergy members announced their support for Conyears-Ervin and about two weeks after she got the nod of the politically powerful Chicago Teachers Union. But heading into Friday’s news conference, Pritzker told reporters the event was a show of strength, not a sign of concern over Davis’ chances in the five-way primary race.
“He’s in good shape,” Pritzker said. “We’re just trying to make sure we get the vote out.”
“You’ve got to always run like you’re even or behind. This guy, I think he’s ahead and doing well in the district,” the governor said.
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis speaks about his endorsement of mayoral candidate and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson in the Loop on March 6, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
MILBERT ORLANDO BROWN
Harold Lucas, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, left, and U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis, right, held a public hearing on the Chicago Housing Authority''s Redevelopment plan at the St. Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church on Chicago''s westside. (Milbert Orlando Brown/Chicago Tribune)
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Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson greets U.S. Rep. Danny Davis at MacArthur''s Restaurant in Austin on April 23, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Reps. Jesús "Chuy" García, from left, Jan Schakowsky, Danny Davis, Jonathan Jackson and Bill Foster attend a rally for striking workers and supporters at UAW Local 551, 13550 S. Torrence Ave., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis is greeted during the funeral for his grandson, Javon Wilson, at Carey Tercentenary African Methodist Episcopal Church on Nov. 26, 2016, in the Lawndale community. Javon Wilson, who was shot and killed at his residence over a clothing dispute, was the grandson of U.S. Rep. Danny Davis. (Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune)
Michael Fryer/Chicago Tribune
Aldermen Bobby Rush, from left, Anna Langford, Eugene Sawyer, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ald. Timothy Evans, Ald. Danny Davis and U.S. Rep. Gus Savage pay their last respects to Mayor Harold Washington during his lying-in-state at City Hall on Nov. 27, 1987. (Michael Fryer/Chicago Tribune)
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, left, and U.S. Congressman Danny Davis receive stuffed gifts as they watch lion dances in Chinatown Square on Feb. 21, 2021, to celebrate the Lunar New Year. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Stacey Wilson, left, and his father U.S. Congressman Danny Davis embrace at the visitation for Wilson''s son, Javon Wilson, at Hope Presbyterian Church in Chicago on Nov. 25, 2016. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL-7) appears at a press conference at Leonard M. Louie Fieldhouse at Ping Tom in Chicago on April 6, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL-7) appears at the Juneteenth flag raising ceremony at Richard J Daley Center Plaza on June 13, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis talks to a reporter before an end of the year policy meeting with staff and supporters on Dec. 15, 2008. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth join U.S. Rep. Danny Davis as he holds a press conference at Leonard M. Louie Fieldhouse at Ping Tom Memorial Park on April 6, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis discusses the Build Back Better agenda at Casa Queretaro in Pilsen neighborhood on Oct. 5, 2021. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis speaks before President Joe Biden on June 28, 2023, about his economic policies at the Old Post Office in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
OVIE CARTER
Congressman Danny Davis, a former teacher and current LSC candidate (York Alternative School) speaks to LSC candidates at the final workshop rally and training session on April 1, 2000. (Ovie Carter/Chicago Tribune)
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Mourners including U.S. Congressman Danny Davis (center, wearing scarf) gather outside Perspectives/IIT Math & Science Academy on Nov. 22, 2016, in remembrance of Davis'' grandson Javon Wilson, who was shot and killed days earlier. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Congressman Danny Davis speaks with attendees before the discussion on the impact of a potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act, at Cook County Health on Oct. 7, 2020. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
MILBERT ORLANDO BROWN
Northwestern University''s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Patrick Ryan, left, U.S. Congressman Danny Davis and with NU''s president, Henry Bienen unveil the university''s historical marker on State and Clark Streets on May 31, 2000. (Milbert O. Brown/Chicago Tribune)
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Stacey Wilson, white shirt, and his father U.S. Congressman Danny Davis, center, stand over the casket bearing Wilson''s son, Javon Wilson, during his visitation at Hope Presbyterian Church on Nov. 25, 2016. At least two attackers went to the home of 15-year-old Javon Wilson in the Englewood neighborhood on Nov. 18, 2016, and an attacker fatally shot him after an argument, police said. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Congressman Danny Davis speaks to media as political, religious, and community leaders speak out against violence during a press conference on Nov. 2, 2022, following the multiple shooting of over a dozen victims at the intersection of California and Polk. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Congressman Danny Davis speaks to the media regarding recent findings of the trade unions lack of Black tradesmen and workers from the construction industry seen in front of the Charles Hayes Family Investment Center on Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2020. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Iishia Murphy, left, and her father-in-law U.S. Congressman Danny Davis attend a vigil outside Perspectives/IIT Math & Science Academy in Chicago on Nov. 22, 2016, in remembrance of Murphy''s son, Javon Wilson, who was shot and killed inside his Chicago home days earlier. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Congressman Danny Davis speaks at a press conference condemning the increase in violence against children before a community march called "No Kids Die in the Chi" along 79th Street on Dec. 31, 2021. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, right, speaks to mourners gathered at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago for a memorial service for Prince Asiel Ben Israel on Sept. 2, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
Then mayoral candidate and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson speaks in the Loop after being endorsed by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis on March 6, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune
A mural, painted by Janel Young, of U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis is seen outside of the Safer Foundation at 808 S. Kedzie Ave in East Garfield Park on July 20, 2023. (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune)
As of Friday, Davis had yet to report any financial contributions from Pritzker, who’s given $58,200 to other Democratic U.S. House and Senate candidates during the current election cycle, according to the most recent federal campaign finance reports.
Preckwinkle, who also chairs the Cook County Democratic Party, lauded Davis, who was an alderman and Cook County commissioner before his time in Congress, for having “a breadth of experience that few people bring to the job.”
“He has been a strong advocate and proponent of our public health system, for which I’m deeply grateful,” Preckwinkle said. “So on behalf of all the people in Cook County for whom he has been an advocate, not just the members of his district, not just the folks in his district, but for all of Cook County, I want to thank him for his service and encourage you to support him in this election.”
In an election year during which voters have voiced concerns about the advanced age of both party’s presumptive presidential nominees, the 82-year-old Davis’ age has been an undercurrent in the 7th District Democratic primary as well.
Quinn, a former Democratic governor and longtime constituent, brushed aside any concerns that Davis is slowing down.
“As long as he’s been congressman, he’s been my congressman,” Quinn said after the news conference. “So you can count on him. And I think that’s important, to have somebody you can count on in Congress, especially in these times.”
While he respects the other candidates in the race, “they’re nowhere near the ability of Danny Davis,” Quinn said. “I mean, we have one of the very best congressmen in America.”
Early and mail-in voting already are underway ahead of the March 19 primary.
Also on the ballot in the 7th District Democratic race are Nikhil Bhatia and Kouri Marshall, both of Chicago.
The lone candidate on the Republican ballot is perennial candidate Chad Koppie, who resides outside the district in far northwest suburban Gilberts.
