Now it’s Madam Chairman: ‘Proud’ Democrat Preckwinkle makes party history
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle solidified her place in the political power structure — and the history books — on Wednesday, when the party backed her to become the first African American, and first woman, to take the once mighty seat of power as Cook County Democratic chairman.
A majority of the 80 city ward and suburban township committeemen who make up the Cook County Democratic Party filed into a conference room, complete with foosball and ping pong tables, on Wednesday to coronate their new leader.
One of Preckwinkle’s opponents for the top party post, 47th Ward Committeeman Paul Rosenfeld, conceded to Preckwinkle and nominated her instead. Her other challenger, state Rep. Luis Arroyo Sr., gave a statement via his son wherein he called for a more progressive party and withdrew from the race.
The political bosses quickly gave Preckwinkle the vote. And then they gave her a standing ovation.