As speculation swirls around the intentions of long-time incumbent. Rep. Danny K. Davis to run or not for a 16th term in Congress, Davis has a suggestion for those hoping to replace him.
“There’s a song by the Impressions,” Davis said, “People Get Ready.” Get ready, Davis said, not just to replace him, but to show a clear track record of working for those who would elect them.
Davis is expected to announce a decision “probably in the new few weeks,” he said.
When Davis spoke with Forest Park Review Friday morning, he was asked about one of those people, Illinois State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford (D-8), who has formally registered as a candidate for the 7th District seat.
The Illinois congressional district covers parks of Cook County including Oak Park, Forest Park, River Forest and much of the West Side.
Ford, who has served in the Illinois House since 2007, filed a statement of organization with the Federal Elections Commission on May 21. He’s retained the election compliance firm of Acuity Politics, LLC, in Washington D.C.
Ford described his registration as the initial part of an exploratory effort. He made it clear that he will only proceed with his plans if Davis is not running.
“I haven’t made an official announcement,” Ford said last Tuesday. “This is all in case the congressman retires.”
He added: “I’m excited about the possibility of running. But if Congressman Davis decides to run, I’ll support him.”
Ford said he is also gathering commitments of financial support and endorsements.
“I’m talking to supporters and I’m doing my best to put together a team,” said Ford, who added that his first focus remained constituent services.
“Building coalitions with politicians is secondary. My goal is to make the case that I’ll always be there for the people. You have to stay focused on the constituents in the district.”
“Re-entry (into society), criminal records expungement, healthcare, safety net hospitals, these are the heart beat of our district,” he said.
Others currently listed by the FEC as candidates for the 7th Congressional seat are Jason Friedman, a Chicago attorney who filed in April, and John McCombs, a former Marine and aspiring comedian, also of Chicago, who filed in early May.
Jerico J. Brown of Chicago, a church pastor, has filed as an independent.
Davis mulls pros and cons
Davis is clear about the reasons why he should retire. He is also clear about the reasons he should run for re-election. Those dueling realities flavor his speech with caveats.
He says he is talking to a number of people, including those who have supported him through the years, to his doctors, and to many everyday people who he insists are and have always been his reason for serving, as a Chicago alderman, as a county commissioner, and as a congressman.
“I will make a decision probably in the next few weeks,” he said Friday, following a busy and particularly eventful week in Washington. “There are a number of things I’m looking at.”
Among those are his age. He is in his 15th term in Congress and will be 85 when the new Congress is seated. He said he feels fortunate to have remained healthy enough to do the work.
“I’m no spring chicken,” he acknowledged. “Most people my age retired years ago.”
“I’m talking to people who have supported me,” he said. “I’m also talking to my physicians. And I’m talking to people.”
The work he’s doing, he said, is more important than ever.
“These are real critical times for America. There are people urging me to run again for (numerous) reasons,” he said.”
Davis pointed to his position on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, where he spent much of his day on Wednesday. It deals with all legislation before the House, and members of Congress wait years to be appointed to the committee, let alone gain seniority on it.
While another candidate can replace Davis and take his seat in Congress, what they cannot do is replace his seniority. And that issue appears to be playing a major role in Davis’s thinking as he moves toward a decision on whether to seek another term.
“I’m a senior member of Congress, not just a member,” he said.
“If I don’t run, people like LaShawn Ford will. I think they’d do well to establish an exploratory committee.”
Reiterating his “get ready” counsel, Davis said anyone looking to replace him should earn it. “They should be talking to the people, listening to the people, serving the people,” he said. “That’s how you get elected. If they do that, they’ll get elected.”
Davis acknowledged Ford’s 17 years in the Illinois General Assembly. Since the 2020 redistricting, Ford has represented South Austin, southern sections of Oak Park and Forest Park, southern Broadview and part of La Grange.
Davis invited Ford to appear for an extended period of time on his last Zoom townhall on June 1, where Ford gave his overview of the recently concluded state legislative session.
“He’s certainly got the experience. He’s done good work,” Davis said.
Ford speaks like a man looking to carry on a tradition and continue a legacy. Davis, he said, “is an example of a representative for the people. Danny Davis has his finger on the pulse of the community.”
“I feel I have that same philosophy. I’m trying to earn his support,” Ford said. “We have a lot of relationship in doing community work. I hope our relationship carries over into an endorsement.”
Davis and Ford take on Trump
During interviews with Cong. Danny K. Davis and State Rep. La Shawn Ford about their plans to seek the 7th District congressional seat in 2026, they each offered their takes on recent actions by President Donald Trump.
“This is heavy-handedness,” Davis said of Trump’s response to peaceful protest demonstrations against his polices and actions. “People in this country believe in the right to protest. Our country was founded on protest.”
Davis said he was deeply concerned at the Trump administration’s demonstrated unwillingness to use established government mechanisms to respond to differences of opinion.
“You work cooperatively with others to change the law,” he said. “That’s not what I see the president doing, not what I see ICE doing, not what I see DHS doing.”
Ford said, “I definitely believe in protecting democracy. I don’t believe the current president respects democracy and the Constitution.”
Addressing last Saturday’s No Kings protests, Ford said, “The only way we’ll protect democracy is to stand up against (what Trump is doing).”