MWRD President Kari Steele with Welch for Central Committeeman

CHICAGO – Environmental champion and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President Kari Steele is the latest Democratic leader to endorse House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch for the State Central Committeeman seat being vacated by Congressman Danny Davis.

“I’m excited to endorse Speaker Chris Welch for State Central Committeeman,” said President Steele. “Speaker Welch is exactly the type of inspirational leader we need right now. Speaker Welch strives to bring people together to build consensus to solve today’s most troubling issues. I always say ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ and I’m proud to be Team Welch.”

Welch is the first black Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and is responsible for flipping Republican seats all across the state with strong fundraising, campaign strategy and community organizing. Last election cycle, Welch raised over $30 million dollars and used it to help members of the House, the courts, as well as state, county and local election committees. He currently boasts the #1 Democratic Caucus in the country– being the only caucus continuing to make gains in flipping Republican strongholds and advancing Democratic values.

Welch’s full endorsement list includes:

1. Congressman Danny K. Davis
2. Former Secretary of State Jesse White
3. Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez
4. Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon
5. Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey
6. Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson
7. Hillside Mayor Joe Tamburino
8. Maywood Mayor Nathaniel Booker
9. River Forest President and Committeeperson Cathy Adduci
10. Westchester President Greg Hribal
11. State Representative Kam Buckner
12. State Representative Lisa Davis
13. State Representative Michael Crawford
14. State Representative Margaret Croke
15. State Representative Kelly Cassidy
16. State Representative Kimberly DuBuclet
17. State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado
18. State Representative Marcus Evans
19. State Representative La Shawn Ford
20. State Representative Edgar Gonzalez
21. State Representative Norma Hernandez
22. State Representative Lilian Jiménez
23. State Representative Theresa Mah
24. State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin
25. State Representative Yolonda Morris
26. State Representative and Committeeperson Aarón Ortíz
27. State Representative Jawaharial “Omar” Williams
28. 1st Ward Committeeperson Laura Yepez
29. 2nd Ward Committeeperson Tim Egan
30. 3rd Ward Alderwoman and Committeeperson Pat Dowell
31. 4th Ward Alderman Lamont Robinson
32. 11th Ward Alderwoman Nicole Lee
33. 14th Ward Alderwoman Jeylú Gutiérrez
34. 15th Ward Alderman and Committeeperson Ray Lopez
35. 16th Ward Alderwoman and Committeeperson Stephanie Coleman
36. 18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis
37. 24th Ward Alderwoman and Committeeperson Monique Scott
38. 25th Ward Alderwoman and Committeeperson Byron Sigcho-Lopez
39. 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes
40. 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett
41. 36th Ward Alderman and Committeeperson Gilbert Villegas
42. 37th Ward Alderwoman and State Central Committeewoman Emma Mitts
43. 42nd Ward Alderman and Committeeperson Brendan Reilly
44. 43rd Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen
45. 43rd Ward Committeeperson Lucy Moog
46. MWRD President Kari Steele
47. Cicero Township Village President and Committeeperson Larry Dominick
48. Cook County Commissioner and 11th Ward Committeeperson John Daley
49. DNC member Dan Hynes
50. Former State Central Committeewoman Darlena Williams Burnett
51. Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Famer and Former Personal PAC President Terry Cosgrove