Quinn raises what Rauner contributes
Wednesday, Apr 16, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
Posted by Barton Lorimor (@bartonlorimor)
* From Crain’s…
Gov. Pat Quinn’s campaign fund is bursting with nearly $8.8 million, giving the Democrat a 6-1 financial advantage over Republican challenger Bruce Rauner, an early sign of what is likely to be one of the most expensive elections in Illinois history.
Mr. Rauner raked in nearly $9.2 million during the first three months of 2014, a crucial period of fundraising that included the March 18 primary, in which he defeated state Sen. Kirk Dillard by a closer margin than expected.
But Citizens for Rauner Inc. spent nearly all that money, leaving the campaign with almost $1.4 million available on March 31. Fundraising is not expected to be an issue for Mr. Rauner, a private-equity investor from north suburban Winnetka who already has reportedly contributed $6.6 million to his own campaign over the past 13 months.
So what if he spent it all? Even if Quinn has more cash on hand at the moment, the Governor won’t be writing himself checks like Rauner…
Of the more than $9 million raised — more than half, $5.3 million — came from Rauner’s own pocket, according to campaign spokesman Mike Schrimpf.
Quinn didn’t raise more in the opening quarter than Rauner contributed.
Rauner’s quarterly report is here. Gov. Quinn’s is here.
* Mayor Emanuel reported $7 million in cash on hand…
Nearly $104,000 came from political donors in Texas, courtesy of a fundraiser thrown in Austin by the concert promoters who put on the Lollapalooza music festival in Grant Park every summer. The fundraiser, hosted at a private home by the co-founders of C3 Presents, coincided with the mayor’s trip to sell Chicago to tech-savvy entrepreneurs attending Austin’s South By Southwest festival.
* Related…
* Oberweis says he and Durbin are both millionaires
* Carl Officer forms SuperPAC to support GOP candidate: “I am sure we will hear the moans and groans from our Democrat friends regarding our decision in this endorsement and support of a Republican,” Officer said. “However, we ask them to consider whether we do not need a totally different approach for all Illinoisans to have a chance to carve out their share of that American dream.”
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:41 am:
First a Cellini endorsement, now Carl Officer for Rauner. That’s sure shaking things up, lol.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 8:44 am:
I asked this yesterday…
“From the side “Tweeter”,
Rauner raised $9 million in the first quarter, has $1.3 million on hand.
I have to ask, do I follow how much is raised that is significant, or how much at any given time does Rauner himself donate to the cause?
It’s limitiless, in theory, the pot of money Rauner has at his disposal, so does it then become, for the General, more about how much is raised, from where, or is it more telling about how much Rauner is going to throw in at any given time?”
- Walker - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 9:17 am:
Rauner’s self-funding could be consistent with his message “I cannot be bought.”
Unfortunately, given his superPAC and wealthy donor support, that horse is out of the barn.
- Downstater - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 9:25 am:
Carl Office is a nonfactor. He has no ability to raise significant money or influence many people. Interesting how the Africa-American community seems be abandoning Quinn in different areas. Not good for Quinn.
- William j Kelly - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 9:32 am:
Sometimes you have to run to follow the money!;) http://youtu.be/dRpz9axiUds
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:47 am:
So PQ pulls in $8.8M and BR has spent $7.8M so far after giving $6.6M from his pocket. That makes sense for a job that pays about $180,000 a year. Retirement benefits must be amazing.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 11:56 am:
Fred Eychaner has gone large for Quinn: $505,300 and counting.
- Rahm'sMiddleFinger - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:06 pm:
I just spent some time looking at Rauner’s expenditures. Looks like they did a ton of polling. They also paid a whole lot for phone banks. Nothing on the D-2 would indicate any expenditures to support a ground game.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:18 pm:
@Wordslinger:
It will help. Quinn will need some serious Pritzker and Crown money too.
- Keyser Soze - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 12:46 pm:
Carl sees the light and senses the winner.
- Tsavo - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:08 pm:
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2014/04/15/rauner-wants-special-deal-police-firefighter-pensions
It will be interesting to see if the police and firefighters get behind Mr. Rauner.
- DuPage - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 1:21 pm:
Carl Officer? Had not heard anything about him in a long, long time. He was a controversial mayor in East St. Louis. The radios in the police cars did not work, the garbage had not been picked up in a year, sewer systems backing up, and myriad other problems.
Maybe Rauner offers to invest in the area if elected? It would be interesting to hear the rest of the story.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 2:17 pm:
=Sometimes you have to run to follow the money!;)=
William, you seem to be having much more fun than usual with this one. It makes me wonder why.
- In the Middle - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Quinn’s 6-1 advantage? I mean, wow, Quinn must be on easy street now. Game over, folks.
Had to laugh because the 6-1 is so irrelevant.
- For the Record - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:29 pm:
Ok, so Quinn is now beholden to a bunch of law firms and consulting groups in Chicago. Gee, wonder if any of them have received any State contracts in the last two years? I would rather a rich man fund himself than see all of the “old” money still piling in for control of government. How much has PQ raised from….lets say Alexander County where Tamms is?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 3:33 pm:
–How much has PQ raised from….lets say Alexander County where Tamms is?–
Lot of political funding come out of Alexander County in the past?
Check both their reports. The vast majority of in-state money is from Chicago and suburbs.
Know why? That’s where the money is.
- concern1 - Wednesday, Apr 16, 14 @ 7:53 pm:
both candidates are STUPID enough said……
- Just The Way It Is One - Thursday, Apr 17, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
Willie, with the 1st Comment, was right on. This particular Campaign–with the Gazillions ONE Candidate has at his disposal–is NOT about what EITHER Campaign RAISES to spend, but, rather, must be gauged at what that ONE Candidate merely decides to throw into the pot to spend at any given time between now and November, simply because he CAN, and therefore, WILL!
The only Question on this subject, then, really just melts down to: how MUCH WILL Brucie spend out of his own Dough in his effort to do, of course, what 99.99% of Illinoisans could not POSSibly even DREAM about doing: that is, BUY this Election and the Office of Governor of Illinois…!