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* Chicago Tonight takes a look at Jason Gonzales’ Democratic primary race against Speaker Madigan and two others…
There are two other declared candidates in the primary: Joe Barboza and Grasiela Rodriguez. Neither have campaign websites or committee information. Gonzales says they were planted by Speaker Madigan’s operation to dilute the Hispanic vote, which makes up the overwhelming majority of the district. […]
“Madigan thinks Hispanics in my district, which now comprises 70 percent of the district, are stupid,” Gonzales said. “He thinks they’ll punch Rodriguez or Barboza over Gonzales because he thinks we’re not smart enough to figure out they are plants from him to take votes from me. We’ve come up with a strategy to neutralize these two candidates, and they’re not going to do much harm.”
A spokesperson for Speaker Madigan denied any knowledge of so called campaign “plants” or “stalking horses.”
Brown also speculated that Gonzales could be running at the behest of Gov. Bruce Rauner. Gonzales denies this and there is no record of campaign contributions from Rauner’s political committee.
Barboza refused to appear on camera for “Chicago Tonight” but vehemently denied over the phone that he was being put up to this by anyone connected to Speaker Madigan. When asked why he was running, he responded: “I’ve been in this community for 16 years. I’m doing my own work now and have some time on my hands.”
He says he currently works in custom flooring, and he seemed flustered when asked what he wanted to accomplish in Springfield, eventually telling “Chicago Tonight” that he supports unions.
“Chicago Tonight” was unsuccessful in reaching Rodriguez after knocking on her door.
Um, why am I running? Um… Hmm. Unions!
OK.
* Also, Gonzales doesn’t necessarily have to receive money directly from Rauner to be a Rauner-friendly candidate. Some of the governor’s pals have already contributed.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:12 am
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Spoiler Alert:
Barboza and Rodriguez are Madigan plants.
Gonzales is supported by Rauner and his allies.
Like opposing attorneys at trial, can we just stipulate these facts as we move forward and save a lot of time, ink and video footage?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:20 am
To be fair it does not appear the lad has taken money from anyone who wasn’t a donor to either SuperStar or SuperStar causes and schemes.
We recall he fooled Capt Fax with one young couple who donated through the Chicgo crib rather than the house in the ‘burbs
Looks like a fun time ahead….BTW is this a repeat item or did CT do another puff piece
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:20 am
Its interesting to look at the occupations of those who have already contributed to the Gonzales campaign.
- Venture capitalist
- President of an investment firm
- Chairman of a real estate investment firm.
- etc.
They don’t sound like typical grassroots Democrats.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:21 am
Um, why am I running? Um… Hmm. Unions!
That pretty much sums up Governor Rauner’s raison d’etre as well.
Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:27 am
Why would anyone believe that Barboza and Rodriguez aren’t Madigan stalking horses?
Why would anyone believe that Gonzales wasn’t put up by Rauner, given that he’s being bankrolled by Rauner’s funder network?
Decision Disingenuous 2016.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:28 am
Of course Rauner supporters will tend to support Gonzales because he is 1) a real candidate and 2) he is not Mike Madigan. No other reasons are needed even if he were to pledge his allegiance ti labor unions and trial lawyers.
Comment by anon. Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:34 am
Not defending Gonzales, but I know a couple of his contributors and have talked with them. Yes, they also support Rauner, but in one case, they just met him at a non-political party and started talking. Not saying Rauner isn’t delighted, but don’t actually know that he put Gonzales up to this.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 11:44 am
Gonzales is in no way viable without serious support from Raunerites. Whether they “put him up to it” or not is a side issue, he’s their candidate.
Comment by Century Club Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 12:01 pm
Gonzales is being used. Who would publically allow themselves to go through that? If he honestly believes he has a political future, he needs to honestly consider how he actually benefits from being a pawn in a game he expects to win, and how that would build any positive benefits for him from voters in that district.
Gonzales is actually more of a tool than either Rodriguez or Barboza. Neither of them are trying to present themselves as alternatives to Madigan. Neither of them are parading around in fashionista men’s wear with fashionista facial stubble, passing out Glamour Shot photos. Neither of them are on websites touting any empty accomplishments. Neither of them are looking for publicity. Rodriquez and Barboza know who they are, and are not currently misleading their neighbors like Gonzales is.
There are two kinds of fakes. Ones with enough self-awareness to know they are a part of a rouse and are silent, and the others who enjoy being a fake and riding it like a Rose Bowl float.
I would gladly vote for either Rodriguez or Barboza over Gonzales. They are more honest.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 12:44 pm
It is criminal to so manipulate the filing process. Who circulated these ghost candidates ‘ petitions? Should be easy for a reporter to find out.
Comment by Let'sMovetoNorthDakota Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 1:09 pm
It should also be noted that Madigan does this with non-Rauner backed candidates too (and with the same racism - if a woman with an Irish last name is running in a primary, he’ll run a woman with an Irish last name).
My guess is if you polled the voters about this practice, an overwhelming number would be against it. But we all know how much voter wishes on political reform matter in this state.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 1:20 pm
“It is criminal to so manipulate the filing process.”
Nope.
“Who circulated these ghost candidates’ petitions? Should be easy for a reporter to find out.”
It would be easy for anyone to find out. Just go to State Board of Elections, 2329 S. MacArthur Blvd. Springfield, Illinois. Tell ‘em which petitions you wanna look at.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 1:51 pm
…with the same racism…
So someone with an Irish name and someone with a Spanish name are two different races? I know African Americans and Caucasians with both types of names!
I thought those were considered heritages?
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 1:58 pm
To Speaker Madigan it’s a distinction without a difference: I trust he welcomes confusion regardless of whether it’s phonetic based or raced based. Now if you show me evidence that these two not only have Hispanic-sounding last names but look like they come from Sweden, I’ll withdraw my cynicism.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 2:03 pm
==- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 2:03 pm:==
Did you ask him? Is that how you are able to speak for him?
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 3:00 pm
Sometimes a good loss is the best way to launch a political career. Especially if you meet the right donors, and you were a long shot anyway.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jan 5, 16 @ 5:09 pm