Napoleon Harris Announces Bid for U.S. Senate

State Sen. Napoleon Harris, the pride of Thornton High, announced his bid to win the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat on Tuesday at his alma mater.

Harris, of Flossmoor, challenges U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, the frontrunner, and Chicago Urban League President Andrea Zopp for the seat. The winner will face incumbent Republican Mark Kirk.

“I’ve been traveling the state, just hearing the needs of the people of the state of Illinois and I think at this time, when we look at it, Illinois needs leadership,” said Harris, who was elected to the State Senate in 2012. “Illinois needs a senator that can articulate the needs of all its communities, and I am willing and able to make sure that change happens.”

Harris is a local businessman, owning two Beggars Pizza restaurants. He also played professional football in the NFL for seven years, drafted in the first round and playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. He attended Northwestern University.

Backing Harris are Senate President John Cullerton, the powerful Thornton Township Democratic Committeeman Frank Zuccarelli, and several fellow state lawmakers, including Sen. Will Davis, Sen. Martin Sandoval and Rep. Bob Rita.

Harris said jobs will be a primary campaign focus.

“I think jobs are so key. We need a huge amount of economic development throughout our state,” Harris said.

But he brings some baggage to the race, too.

This year, state regulators determined Harris underpaid his Beggars Pizza employees and owed 40 of them a total of $23,000. ABC 7 Chicago questioned Harris about this in August, noting that a delivery driver and dishwasher at his Harvey restaurant was paid just $5 an hour.

In August, as he was pitching himself to state party leaders as a potential U.S. Senate candidate, Harris gave this statement to ABC.

“Ensuring the citizens of Illinois receive a fair wage is an issue I take very seriously. I would never knowingly deny anyone his or her right to fair compensation. As a Public Servant, Business Owner or Citizen, it has always been important to me that the workers of Illinois are paid a fair and sufficient wage. My record as a State Senator reflects this. My life experiences embody this. In the event that my business is not in full compliance, these alleged issues will be addressed and resolved.”