Raoul Emerges From Crowded Field to Be Democrats’ AG Pick


State Sen. Kwame Raoul won a hard-fought race Tuesday against a crowded field of eight candidates – including former Gov. Pat Quinn – vying to be the Democratic nominee for Illinois attorney general.

A former prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Raoul was appointed to fill Barack Obama’s state Senate seat in 2004, where he continues to serve. He is also an attorney with a private practice.

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Related: Backed by Rauner, Former Miss America Harold is GOP Pick for AG

In his victory speech Tuesday night, Raoul focused on issues of crime and violence in poorer communities, criminal justice reform and immigrant rights, promising to push back on President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda.

Of his own Haitian heritage, Raoul said: “My father always taught me to be a proud Haitian-American. And I don’t care what Donald Trump says. I ain’t come from no type of hole.”

“We are a nation of immigrants. Immigrants built this country and I certainly, as your next attorney general, will be one to fight for each and every immigrant that makes a contribution,” he said.

In November’s general election Raoul faces former Miss America and Harvard-trained lawyer Erika Harold, backed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. She defeated former Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso to get the GOP nomination.

Raoul joins us in discussion.


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