Daniel Biss, a top-tier candidate, chose a far-left running mate who was a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America. | Seth Perlman/AP Battle for Bernie voters backfires in Illinois

CHICAGO — In a move designed to lure Bernie Sanders voters in a competitive Democratic governor’s primary, a top-tier candidate, Daniel Biss, chose a far-left running mate who was a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Less than a week later, Biss dropped Chicago Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa from his ticket, amid criticism over Rosa’s position on Israel.


Biss, a state senator from suburban Evanston, made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the two could not reconcile Rosa’s support for BDS, or the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, with regard to Israel.

Blowback from the issue was already affecting other Illinois races and support for Biss.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), over the weekend took the unusual move of withdrawing his endorsement of Biss in the gubernatorial primary.

Schneider, fighting his own reelection battle in a district where support of Israel has traditionally been a dominant issue, had been lambasted by a potential Republican challenger over Biss’ choice of Rosa.

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“Since we've announced his selection, we have been asked about his position on BDS. After much discussion, it’s become clear that Carlos’ position has changed,” Biss said in a statement. “While I respect his right to come to his own conclusions on the issue, it simply wasn't the understanding we shared when I asked him to join the ticket.”

But Rosa, a Sanders delegate in 2016, said his position had not changed. He has been consistent in his stance on BDS, he said, voting against it in the City Council because he did not believe it was an issue for local government, but supporting that dialogue on a federal level.

“I was hopeful we could recognize our differences on this issue and move forward with building a movement that puts working families first,” Rosa said in an interview with POLITICO.

Biss has little room for error in a crowded Democratic Illinois primary that includes billionaire J.B. Pritzker, Kennedy family scion Chris Kennedy and progressive Alderman Ameya Pawar. While party insiders and major unions have already backed Pritzker, and Kennedy has a leg up on name recognition, Biss had surprised the party establishment by ranking second — with only self-funder Pritzker ahead of him — in last quarter’s fundraising.

But even as Biss’ decision to drop Rosa might serve to allay some consternation in the Jewish community, it appeared to anger a major pro-Sanders group representing Illinois.

“Today, we are disappointed and shocked to learn that Sen. Biss has chosen to drop Ald. Ramirez-Rosa from the ticket,” said a statement from Our Revolution, the senator's outside political arm.

The group says Sanders’ supporters are key to a successful Democratic gubernatorial contender, citing Sanders’ victory in 79 of 102 Illinois counties, 11 of 18 congressional districts, and nearly 1 million votes.

What’s more, Rosa himself would not vow his support for Biss in the Democratic primary.

“I will be supporting the candidate who is most likely to deliver a $15 minimum wage, affordable child care and free college tuition for all,” Rosa said.

