CHICAGO – Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza served 10 years in the Illinois House before being sworn into her current job in May 2011. During her time in the Illinois House, she became a vocal admirer of Speaker Madigan – who is now under unprecedented political criticism as a documentary funded by Illinois Policy Action circulates the state.
The 44 year old Mendoza is now in a heated race to unseat Governor Rauner-appointed State Comptroller Leslie Munger.
The statewide race has become a symbolic contest between Illinois' top two power players – Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and longtime Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan. Both Madigan and Rauner have invested heavily in the race – tying both candidates to their most noteworthy supporters.
Now Mendoza's flowery speech nominating the powerful Mike Madigan to retain his speakership in 2011 is being circulated after it was unearthed by the Munger campaign – with hopes of reminding voters of Mendoza's devotion to Madigan.
"I've had the privilege to serve under his unparalleled leadership for 10 years now, only a quarter of the time Illinois has benefitted from his almost 40 years of stewardship," Mendoza said. "Over the last decade, I've observed his skills as a leader and a man who time and time again has demonstrated his passion and love for this state and has consistently put Illinois first.
"His work ethic is unmatched. He is steeped in discipline, laser-focused and impossible to unnerve. He's a brilliant politician, tactician and public servant, and a great man whose commitment to Illinois is only matched by that to his family. While many aspire to be like him, there is only one Michael J. Madigan…"
"Mike Madigan is Susana Mendoza's mentor, which has led to her getting plum government jobs, including multiple taxpayer-funded salaries and pensions at the same time," Munger's campaign writes on their YouTube page.
Munger is using passages from Mendoza's speech in a campaign ad being shown on cable TV.
The rest of Mendoza's speech follows:
