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* As we’ve already discussed, Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Turnaround Illinois PAC transferred $1.818 million to Dan Proft’s Liberty Princples PAC last month. Proft then spent hundreds of thousands on TV ads to bolster Sen. Sam McCann’s Republican primary opponent. McCann voted against Rauner on AFSCME’s “no strike” bill and even contemplated running for governor against Rauner as an independent in 2014.
Anyway, Bernie writes today about an endorsement of McCann’s GOP opponent Bryce Benton by the staunchly pro-life Family PAC…
McCann is also very conservative on social issues, including abortion. Caprio, in his group’s full endorsement statement, commended McCann for such views, but added that “we are deeply concerned with the extensive support which he is receiving from many public employee unions” that are “standing in the way of true reform in Illinois state government.”
Aaron DeGroot is quoted as being Benton’s campaigns spokesman. DeGroot worked for the Rauner campaign.
* Back to Bernie…
Caprio’s Family PAC had less than $1,400 on hand as Dec. 31. It did catch my eye that RICHARD UIHLEIN of Lake Forest donated $10,000 to the committee on Jan. 13. Uihlein has also contributed more than $2.6 million to Rauner and more than $5 million to Chicago radio personality DAN PROFT’s Liberty Principles PAC since 2012, and Proft’s group is backing Benton with TV ads and other help all worth more than $325,000 so far.
Caprio said Uihlein has been a consistent support of Family PAC, and the recent donation had nothing to do with the group’s decision to back Benton. A quick check showed the Uihlein did give the group more than $10,000 each of the past two Februaries.
* That group also backed Rauner-backed appointed state Rep. Avery Bourne…
Bourne’s campaign manager is CASEY CONSTANT, 25, of Sherman, who worked on the Rauner campaign and is on leave from his $70,000 state job as intergovernmental affairs manager for the governor. His state job was paid for by the Department of Children and Family Services.
* And here’s where we get to our quote of the day…
At a news conference this week, Rauner sidestepped the question when asked if he is for Benton over McCann.
“I’m not focusin’ at all on politics right now,” he said with a laugh.
He wasn’t the only one laughin’.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 11:49 am
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Anybody else sick and tired of Governor Rauner and his lies?
Comment by Union Leader Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 11:55 am
That Rauner is one big jokester. Ha Ha Ha. Unfortunately, the joke on us.
Bernie’s column underscores the point that Benton is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raunercorp.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 11:56 am
So caprio can be bought? Why am i not surprised?
Comment by sosilly Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 11:58 am
“Or on governin’ — But have you seen all of my restaurant reviews on Instagram?”
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 11:58 am
===“I’m not focusin’ at all on politics right now,” he said with a laugh.===
Either own what you’re doin’… Ugh.
To the Post,
The coalition of Raunerite candidates wrapping themselves, or “coverin’ the bases” is just good campaign work to ensure they win and stay for Bruce Rauner.
Rauner wants their victories for an Agenda, not a Party.
It’s up to Labor, and Social Services, and in some instances, Democrats crossing over to vote Anti-Rauner in the Republican Primary, as is the case with McCann, for example
“What are you, Labor, you Social Service advocates, prepared to do?”
Looks like the Raunerites are gettin’ ducks in rows and coverin’ bases to win. That’s how they will win. What say you?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:00 pm
Six years ago, Bernie went out of his way to make McCann look bad. McCann did a lot of that to himself, but Bernie really piled it on.
Four years ago, Bernie asked why McCann was running in the 50th instead of the 48th. He highlighted every bit of local support for Gray Noll and every bit of Springfield angst against McCann.
Now everything has come full circle. Bernie is taking digs at McCann’s opponent while pulling a Sneed and name dropping.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:08 pm
Have we heard a peep from representative Jimenez? We now know where bourne is coming from but what about Jimenez?
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:20 pm
Rauner is proof that money corrupts our democracy whenever rich people like him wish to corrupt it.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:21 pm
Rauner’s “aw shucks” response as to who he is backing in that primary can either be seen as clever politics, or being disingenuous.
I’m going with disingenuous.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:22 pm
Bryce Benton appears to be an admirable person. However, his candidacy is clearly bought and paid for by this Governor.
I’m a True Republican in the 50th (not a Raunerite). Unlike most of the rest of the Republican legislature, McCann has chosen to actually represent his constituents and not throw them under the bus in order to get money from the Governor. So I will vote for McCann in the primary. If he is not the nominee, in the General Election I will vote for the Democratic Candidate whoever he or she may be.
Comment by Bluegrass Boy Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:23 pm
It’s nice of Rauner to lend out his jr superstars to his legislative puppets.
Comment by GOP Extremist Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:24 pm
1. When has Caprio ever cared about reform?
2. Good to see he can be rented for a small fee.
3. Who else is out there on the shelf ready to be rented?
4. When will all the remappers admit they have been totally scammed by the $uperStars and other 1%ers?
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:25 pm
I find it interesting the State of Illinois FOP Lodge and the State Trooper’s Lodge are endorsing McCann over Benton. How can you be a member of a union and be so anti-union?
Just food for thought. How Benton respond to that?
Comment by Rollo Tamasi Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:27 pm
The (sometimes unwitting) minions of the New Financial Order have been dispatched to lay waste to an Illinois State Senator for the offense of listening & responding to his constituency.
This is not, even in Illinois, politics as usual…it is something ominous.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:32 pm
- Bluegrass Boy -
Defeating the Raunerite with the Republican may make the Governor take pause as the GOP GA isn’t as autonomous as Rauner demands. That’s the hope for the GOP.
I do wonder how many GOP voters will not vote Raunerite come March? Right now, I have no idea.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:37 pm
No good choices for the folks in 50.
McCann preaches fiscal conservatism, but his shoddy business and tax practices lead to constant liens and tax judgments.
Benton got elected to the Capital Convention Center board, and thinks he was elected to Congress. That ego is non-stop.
Comment by Blago's Luxurious Grey Mane Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:43 pm
Bluegrass Boy - My feelings exactly.
Comment by NobodysAccountable Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:50 pm
–Now everything has come full circle. Bernie is taking digs at McCann’s opponent while pulling a Sneed and name dropping.–
Where are the digs? It’s a report on endorsements and campaign contributions.
In this GOP primary, would it not be of benefit for Benton to be identified in the SJR as the endorsed candidate of Family PAC? Don’t you want your endorsements in the paper? I thought that was the point.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:56 pm
McCann is being backed by all the County Parties, right? Seems like a big ask of primary voters, to vote against an incumbent endorsed by the local party.
Comment by Beaner Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:57 pm
Will Caprio sell out pro-life Dems in the Fall, too?
That would be really bad politics. A lobbying group is much more effective if it has allies in both caucus. (The Retail Merchants and Insurance industry are a perfect example of this.)
Comment by Ric Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 12:57 pm
To the Family PAC: helping to ensure just wages and access to affordable health care for working families IS pro-life. If your commitment to life begins and ends with mere opposition to abortion, then you aren’t really pro-life. Your endorsement shows, once again, that the so-called pro-life movement is nothing more than a fundraising arm of the GOP.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:01 pm
- Beaner -,
That’s why they have elections.
Who will come out to be heard?
I dunno how it will end, but givin’ up before you begin isn’t goin’ to change anythin’
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:04 pm
“Senator Sam” is a small-business owner and an old-line Republican. He is probably the most approachable, responsive legislators I know. He works with, not against, his constituency. And for this, it has been determined, he must pay.
Please vote in the Illinois primary on March 15.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:04 pm
Word - in my view, once Bernie sets his mind to something he never lets go. Between the picture of Bryce and the way the column is written, Bernie clearly dislikes Mr. Benton.
I have some personal experience dealing with this issue as it relates my family. Bernie’s lines of questioning and his non-stop missives are certainly not lost on me.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:07 pm
Beaner - so?! Remember - the same Sangamon County GOP came out four years ago against Senator McCann and gave his opponent support. Larry Bomke cut ads for Gray Noll, and several local prominent people in the GOP community held events/fundraisers for Mr. Noll. The county party refused to help with precinct walking, petitions and anything else you can imagine.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:09 pm
===Bernie clearly dislikes Mr. Benton===
Meh.
I think if a burr is under his saddle it was put there by the governor’s repeated refusals (two different days at least) to answer a simple question.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:11 pm
It used to be that, unless there was a binding caucus position, it was ok to buck the caucus to vote your district. You couldn’t do it all the time, tho. And it had to be important.
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Rauner learns fast. I always thought it strange when Madigan’s guy left their state jobs for politics then came back. I guess its fair for both sides to play that game.
Comment by Rhino Slider Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:21 pm
Me thinks Rauner is worried about a 2018 third party run from McCann.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 1:24 pm
==Me thinks Rauner is worried about a 2018 third party run from McCann==
To quote Nipsy Russell in the 80’s movie Wildcats: “Riiiiiiiiiight.”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 2:02 pm
So McCann abides by the Illinois Family Institue rules of morality and is crushed?
Ah, the Christian value of greed and money rules all…way to stay true to your Judeo-Christian values Paul.
Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 2:13 pm
@Bluegrass Boy, I know where you are coming from. I consider myself Independent more than anything and my wife is a Democrat. We have both already applied for our GOP ballots in the upcoming Primary to vote for McCann, who is just about the only GOP member who isn’t owned by Rauner. Rauner is the biggest threat to representative government that we’ve ever had in this state. I hope folks catch on to what he has in the works before it’s too late.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Benton has to make serious progress in rural counties where McCann has strong support.
If he doesn’t,it will be like the McCann/Noll race all over again.
Comment by btowntruth Thursday, Feb 4, 16 @ 4:37 pm