Democratic candidate for governor Tio Hardiman says he chose Patricia Avery as his running mate because of her connections and her resume.
Speaking in Champaign today at an event announcing Avery’s candidacy for lieutenant governor, Hardiman says her experience was a big factor in his choice.
“Patricia has a proven track record of effective leadership in central Illinois, and she knows a whole lot of people. I know about 400,000 in the state myself, I just gotta get the people to vote for us. I chose Patricia based on her resume as well, and working closely with her to try to reduce violence here in Champaign-Urbana.”
Hardiman and Avery spoke against money in politics … referencing Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and Democratic candidate JB Pritzker … who are both spending millions of dollars of their own money in the 2018 race.
Avery is currently the president of the Champaign County N-double-A-C-P and the head of the non-profit Champaign-Urbana Area Project. She says she may have to “step aside” from her position with the N-double-A-C-P during the campaign.