More Illinois Democrats are throwing their weight behind a third political party created to defeat an indicted state lawmaker.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and other Democrats have put together the 10th District Unity Party to run against state Representative Derrick Smith in November. Smith is facing federal bribery charges, but the Chicago Democrat says he’s not guilty and he won’t step down.
U.S Representative Danny Davis said he’s recieved lots of calls from people who are interested in the new party. Davis said the Unity Party will do their best to pick a solid candidate.
“Sometimes you can predict with a high degree of accuracy how people will perform. Other times, you just don’t know,” Davis said.
Davis originally called for voters to support Smith, even though Smith had been arrested just a week before the Democratic primary. After Smith won, Davis changed his mind and joined Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and other leaders in calling for Smith to resign.
Governor Quinn said today he’s also on board with the new Unity Party.
