* Whew…
* Stratton just received a big influx of cash from some of Rep. Dunkin’s House Democratic colleagues…
She also got $50K from Emanuel pal Michael Sacks.
* And IllinoisGO is still pumping cash…
…Adding… From Kent Redfield…
Hi Rich,
I keep trying to be retired and this stuff just sucks me back in.
Two points of reference
My quick back of the envelope figures using the same metrics as the Racing Form shows the State’s Attorneys race in Cook County at $5.33 million. I know it is three candidates, but the idea of spending as much or more on a primary in a house district as is being spent on a contested county-wide primary race in Cook County is beyond stunning.
Also it appears the most expensive legislative primary before this year was the H-26 Mitchell/Travis race from 2014 at around $1.2 million. (H-39 Berrios/Guzzardi and H-81 Sanddack/Matune in the same year were close to $1 million)
It is really hard to overstate how big money from individuals and independent expenditures have reshaped the political landscape since 2013.
Before my head explodes I am off to the driving range to work on something I kind of understand and maybe can fix - my slice.
I hope all is well with your health and you are still working hard on that new life style.
Take care, Kent
* In other campaign news, it appears that Rep. Mike Smiddy is not happy that Rep. Verschoore disclosed (or, according to Smiddy, lied about) their private converation because he just upped the ante…
More on this race below.
* Tweet of the week…
* Related…
* QC lawmakers spar over campaign contribution in 72nd Ill. House race: “He said ‘You’re probably not gonna be happy, but I got a call over the weekend to make a donation [to Mike Halpin].’ So, I asked him, I said ‘Did the call come from the Speaker?’ and he said ‘No.’ And I said ‘Did it come from Will Cousineau?’ and he said ‘Yes.’”
* Halpin TV ad partially financed by Rep. Smiddy
* @bobfioretti16 has a pair of new TV commercials running that feature Jesse Jackson
* Shimkus campaign spent $2500 at D.C. strip bar in 2005, watchdog group finds
* Rush’s campaign receives financial support from some of Emanuel’s closest political backers: A little more than a month after the news conference with Emanuel, Rush’s campaign cashed 24 checks, all on the same day — each the maximum allowed contribution of $2,700 and totaling $64,800. They came from Sacks, members of Sacks’ family, Sacks’ co-workers, friends and associates.
* Follow the money: Former 4th Ward Ald. Will Burns gave $25,000 to state Rep. Christian Mitchell, who has a rematch against Jay Travis in a Democratic primary for a Chicago House seat. That amount will buy a lot of promoted attack tweets against his challenger.
- cdog - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:22 pm:
$8.75 million should shock, and rock, every one to their core.
The bottom line to all this campaign spending makes my hopeful heart ache…
If the forces of “Dark Money” buy what they are trying to buy, it is not the pieces of their purchase that will matter much — a safe Dunkin, no more McCann, no more Madigan.
Still no 60-30, still no Red State.
What will have been gained is that this Force will have shown that throwing huge sums of money into negative advertising can drown out all other voices that do not agree.
Vote accordingly.
(Any good lawsuits in the federal system that might overturn Citizens United? If not, there might be some good material here for a class of citizens. I am in, if needed.)
- Carhartt Representative - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
So Illinois GO is attacking Christian Mitchell’s opponent? So not surprised.
- RNUG - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
McCann and Benton are still spending money. Today I got 4 different and all positive mailers from McCann and 1 attack piece from Benton.
All 4 of Sam’s pieces had ‘bugs’ showing they were printed in a union shop; Benton’s doesn’t.
Labor, it’s obvious who is supporting you and who isn’t.
- CD Sorensen - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:29 pm:
Interesting that Illinois GO is supporting Ms. Genita Robinson, and yet the anti-Raunerite attacks from Ms. Harper went after Kenyatta Vaughn.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:29 pm:
You could fund a lot of MAP grants for $8.75 million.
- Steam cleaner - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
Is everyone on this blog as excited about this state primary as I am? I have never seen so much money and so much at stake in a primary election. WOW!!!
- truthteller - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
I cannot get on the internet and go to any site without a popup on thetruthaboutjay coming on screen.
- The Captain - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
I still think it’s smart that the Speaker isn’t directly supporting Stratton but if you know how to read between the lines it’s quite entertaining to see the lengths they’re going to.
- AC - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:40 pm:
Looks crazily lopsided with the B-1s included.
- RNUG - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:46 pm:
Interesting contrast in where the money is in the McCann / Benton race. People and groups are giving money to McCann’s campaign fund. Benton is getting tons of “uncoordinated” support but not much cash in the campaign fund he controls. Guess someone doesn’t want Benton to get the idea he can be independent of his support.
- Ok - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:47 pm:
Curious how much the “consultant” Maze Jackson is making out of this pot.
- wordslinger - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 12:57 pm:
Regardless of what happens with Dunkin and McCann, one thing is clear (if it wasn’t before):
There’s a new sheriff in town.
Rauner and his crew haven’t broken a sweat when it comes to money, but the Dems and the unions aren’t even close to keeping up.
For crying out loud, we haven’t even heard from Griff this cycle.
That dude is in the middle of a nasty divorce, yet doesn’t even blink to buy a $200 million condo in Manhattan. Griff could waive his magic money wand and swamp the field in a second.
You’re never going to beat the Rauner crew when it comes to money. If they can be beaten, it will have to be hustle.
- Keyser Soze - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 1:00 pm:
I’m not sure that the outright purchasing of government representation is what our founding fathers had in mind. What we are seeing here crosses over into the dark side. And, there is plenty of shame to spread around.
- Rufus - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 1:19 pm:
“* Shimkus campaign spent $2500 at D.C. strip bar in 2005, watchdog group finds”
Really? 11 years ago… who cares… only the op-finders.
And I am not a Shimkus voter, by anyway, shape or form.
- Corporate Thug - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:31 pm:
Has Bryce Benton raise $1 for his campaign?
- Georg Sande - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:59 pm:
Who is in better/worse shape with his caucus and its leaders should they survive, McCann or Dunkin?
Either way the money expended in these primaries and a couple of others is mind blowing … yet just the tip of the iceberg come the general elections. Giddy-Up!!
- Ben Cook - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:28 pm:
@Rufus, seriously? You don’t have a problem with a Congressman who regularly quotes the Bible spending $2,500 dollars at a place like that?
Seems like the height of hypocrisy to me. That it took 11 years to come out is a rather sad commentary on our system.
- walker - Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:53 pm:
Makes me want to staple my forehead.