Biss super PAC funders revealed
Monday, Oct 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Lynn Sweet on Sen. Daniel Biss’ new super PAC, which is spending big bucks to tie Gov. Bruce Rauner to Donald Trump…
The biggest individual Democratic donors in Illinois have joined with pro-Democratic unions to pump jumbo dollars into a new super PAC to punch at Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
The latest Federal Election Commission filings show $2,316,863 has been spent since Oct. 11 on an ad blitz to oppose Rauner by strongly linking him to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. […]
According to the first LIFT donor FEC filing, disclosed on Saturday, the first wave of union donors are: the Fight Back Fund, $262,500; the International Association of Fire Fighters, $60,000; Ironworkers Political Education Fund, $50,000; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399, $40,000; SEIU HealthCare Illinois, $3,000; and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881, $30,000. […]
Those publically disclosed donations total $470,500 — yet FEC expenditure records show $1.032 million in ad spending reported on Oct. 11 and an additional $1.284 million in spending on Oct. 14.
The Sun-Times has learned that the additional funders include four of the major donors and fundraisers in Illinois: Fred Eychaner, Michael Sacks, J.B. Pritzker and Bill Brandt. Eychaner and Pritzker are among the biggest donors to Democratic candidates and causes in the nation.
The Fight Back Fund is controlled by the Operators Union.
I talked about this with subscribers a bit earlier today, so let’s open the floor to more debate now.
- train111 - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 11:00 am:
I guess he’s going to get a taste of what he has been dishing out to Madigan. Too bad - so sad
- LizPhairTax - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 11:12 am:
I will support the Republican nominee.
It’s an ear worm. I guess you can do amazing things with more than 3 donors.
Your move Kenny, Dickie and B-dawg. Do a funny one where Mrs. R doesn’t like his shirt. That one killed!
- Amalia - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 11:14 am:
Wonder what Dugan thinks of helping those “gun grabbers”
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 11:18 am:
Rauner’s “term-limits” image ad for himself, this anti-Rauner ad….
I think they’re both meaningless in October of a presidential year unless they have a call to action: “Vote Republican” or “Vote Democratic”.
Just not enough oxygen in the room with Trump/Clinton.
- walker - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 11:34 am:
Not surprised by the big donors.
But why did they coalesce around Biss? Will he eventually go up against another Madigan?
- Ares - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 11:39 am:
Biss for Governor in 2018
- A Jack - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 12:41 pm:
I am happy to see a Pritzker involved. The Democrats will need some of that Pritzker cash if they hope to compete financially with all that Republican cash. It will help level the playing field.
- JoeMaddon - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 1:22 pm:
**But why did they coalesce around Biss? Will he eventually go up against another Madigan?**
I’ll just quote the article:
The super PAC is named LIFT — Leading Illinois for Tomorrow — and was formed with the blessings of the top Illinois Democratic leaders in September.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 10:47 pm:
–But why did they coalesce around Biss? Will he eventually go up against another Madigan?–
Walker, Northern Illinois Ranger, some observations:
–Biss is a good looking smart kid, with some North Shore and U of C bona fides.
– Although they can’t compete with Griff if he gets his steam up, Eychaner and Pritzker are serious money. So, I see Biss spending their money as a shot across the bow to the likes of second-tier possibilities like Bustos, not Durbin (who ain’t leaving the Senate).
– Rauner wasn’t some juggernaut by getting 50% of the vote against Quinn, for crying out loud. So he’s vulnerable as an incumbent, even in a non-presidential year. What the heck is he going to campaign on?
– Lisa Madigan has, hopefully, if possible, embarrassed the nincompoops like Kass and Marin who for 20 years have written that “everything MJM does is for Lisa for governor.” She will never run for governor. She’s got an easy sweet gig that she likes where she’s at. That’s a fact, for twenty years. Get it?
The wild card ain’t a Kennedy or a Daley, but an Obama.
Michelle Obama would beat Bruce Rauner like a rented mule, like beyond Edgar/Netsch numbers, approaching 70 percent.
Griff, The Bubble Wrap King of Kenosha, Rauner — they could spend every dime they have. And they would get smoked. Every dollar they spend would increase turnout for Michelle.
Rauner goes negative on Michelle? Rauner “debates” Michelle (in his own Stepword Wife way, against her)? Are you kidding me?
If it were a prize fight, the referee would stop it. No contest.
I have no reason to believe Michelle wants it, but it’s there, for the taking.
She is among the most admired women in the world, for good reason. She made us all proud. And I think the world includes Illinois.
And there ain’t a thing that Rauner could do about it but take the beating.