Overview
James Meeks, a Chicago-area Pastor and head of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, was drafted to run as an Independent (despite being a registered Democrat) against a long-time Democratic incumbent. State Senator Bill Shaw had become embroiled in scandal for no-bid contracts, questionable firings and even a charge of assaulting the city clerk.
The Challenge
Reverend Meeks started the campaign with a heavy name identification disadvantage and the challenge of convincing Democrats to vote against a well-liked Democratic incumbent. Shaw’s scandals, which also included a charge of selling Deputy Marshall badges to a drug kingpin, had received press coverage but it was unclear whether the Democratic base would react angrily to attacks against Shaw.
The Result
Kennedy Communications created a targeted mail program that focused on the needs of this South Chicago district – an area suffering from a weak economy and extensive job losses – and then used the Shaw scandals to highlight why Shaw hadn’t done much for the district. Meeks won the race, becoming the first Independent ever to win a seat in the Illinois State Senate.