Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-7th) will announce his bid for reelection on Sunday, Sept. 6 at Sankofa Cultural Arts & Business Center in Chicago’s Austin community, according to Davis’s representatives. The event, which will start at 4 p.m., is open to the public.
According to Davis spokeswoman Tumia Romero, the longtime politician’s campaign is still narrowing down platform ideas.
“For over 18 years, the congressman has had quite a significant career,” Romero said. “Our platform hasn’t changed much. We’ll include many things, such as his support for prison reentry programs, economic development opportunities, fairness in education and affordable housing.”
Romero said the reelection campaign team is anticipating more than 200 supporters, adding that many people have already lined up to volunteer and donate.
“He’s a very popular congressman. He gets between 80 and 86 percent of the vote each time he runs. People appreciate his commitment to them and that he hasn’t shifted or changed,” she said.
Prior to setting up the Sunday announcement, there had been rumors that the 73-year-old would retire and possibly hand the torch to his ambitious protégé, Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (D-1st). Romero said Davis has never indicated that he’ll retire.
Boykin, who won a seat on the county board last year, has already set his sights on higher office. Last month, Boykin announced the formation of a committee designed to help him explore the feasibility of running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by his friend Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL).
Romero said that all candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Kirk’s seat have been invited to attend the Sunday announcement, in addition to other elected officials.
There have been a host of other potential candidates rumored to be eyeing Davis’s seat if he had opted not to seek reelection, but only two — Chicago police officer and former mayoral candidate Frederick Collins; and Iraq War veteran, journalist and entrepreneuer Thomas Day — have confirmed that they’ll challenge the popular politician.
Regardless, Romero said, she isn’t aware of any petitions that have been formally filed by prospective challengers.
“The way the congressman thinks about things is until he sees the name on the ballot, those are just conversations. Until then, we won’t be looking for [any challengers],” she said.
According to Ballotpedia, Davis won 85 percent of the vote in a general election against Republican candidate Robert Bumpers. According to the political advocacy organization Open Secrets, as of June, Davis’s campaign committee had $269,000 in cash on-hand.
