Since Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle catapulted the young Black man out of the shadows and supported him for the Illinois House in 2012, Christian Mitchell has been the target of fierce criticism.
Mitchell, a loyal aide, was selected by Preckwinkle over newly appointed Rep. Kimberly du Buclet (D-Chicago). Given that Mitchell was not a native South Sider and the du Buclet family had a long history of local power, Preckwinkle’s decision infuriated many people in that region of the world.
In a narrative I created for my subscribers back in the day, I therefore somewhat mockingly referred to Mitchell as The Chosen One.
A proxy contest between Preckwinkle and the Jackson family was Mitchell’s first House primary, and wow, that close race was very intense. A well-educated amateur boxer with a brassy demeanor, he refused to take any guff. After that, Mitchell defeated a candidate supported by the Chicago Teachers Union in two consecutive Democratic primary contests. As Mitchell battled every opponent to the death, the number of enemies climbed.
When he was selected as one of JB Pritzker’s newly elected deputy governors in 2019, the complaints truly got out of hand. Statehouse residents, who were mostly white men and used to being treated with deference, were taken aback by Mitchell’s aggressive bargaining tactics and unwavering devotion to his master. I couldn’t keep track of how many white males contacted me with anecdotes of the brazen Pritzker lieutenant.
Mitchell did, however, assist in passing numerous bills. During the tough talks over the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, he pushed some extremely powerful people to the limit, yet the law was passed.
I asked Mitchell last week if he thinks he has bridges to develop now that he has been selected as Governor Pritzker’s running mate.
I take pride in having been a tough negotiator in some really challenging situations, working to secure the best possible outcome for Illinois, working families, and taxpayers. Mitchell declared, “I won’t apologize for that.”
However, Mitchell claimed that after leaving politics in 2023, he has changed. Did I ever say something when I ought to have listened? The answer, in my opinion, is definitely.
Mitchell promised to be much more forthcoming going forward. I’m going to extend an open hand to everyone who wants to talk, reach out, or succeed on behalf of the people of Illinois. I’ll also keep in mind to listen more than I talk. And I can’t wait to collaborate with everyone, even those with whom we may have previously disagreed.
In the past, Mitchell was a daring boxer who boldly promoted two charity matches using the nickname I gave him, The Chosen One.
Mitchell responded, “I don’t box anymore,” when asked if he still does. I have been absent for some months. Despite my wrist injury, I intend to return to action on Friday.
I questioned out loud in jest if his wrist injury resulted from smashing someone’s head. He said that I didn’t. Mitchell mentioned that he was growing a little too old to spar, saying, “I don’t spar that often anymore.” However, I still enjoy shadow boxing and hitting the bag. It’s how I unwind.
As the millionaire governor’s running mate and potential successor in the event that Pritzker wins the presidency or is assigned to a Cabinet post, he is once again The Chosen One.
Mitchell needs to do a lot of work. However, he seemed determined to make this work.
“My role is going to be to go everywhere, to talk to everyone, to articulate the issues across the state of Illinois, to meet people in their houses, at their churches, on the stoop in the town square,” Mitchell responded when asked about his expected involvement in the next campaign. In the end, it will serve to express the governor’s message about building on the progress we’ve made over the past seven years, safeguarding that progress, investing in future-oriented jobs, and ensuring that we have an affordable education and healthcare system for the twenty-first century. That will be my responsibility.
Mitchell will require the backing of influential individuals and organizations in 2030 who vehemently disliked Pritzker while he was a deputy governor, regardless of whether he succeeds in any way or retires.
After then, the Chosen One will need to stand alone.
But for good cause, he has always been The Chosen One.
