114 Comments - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:05 pm: Trump and Clinton declared victors in FL Rubio never should have been an active candidate in Florida. That is ignorant to the long term. Rubio being beat in Florida, he’s beyond damaged now, he’ll have to rethink… at 44 - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:13 pm: Duckworth and Kirk declared victors… Now… now they have my attention. It’s on. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:14 pm: What was the point of Zopp’s candidacy, anyway? For someone who’s been a player in high-altitude circles for a long time, it’s just been weird from the get-go. - low level - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:20 pm: Wordslinger - thats what happens when Bill Daley puts his political thinking cap on. He’s a smart guy and I do have respect for him, but Rich and John are the true politicos in the family. - Is he out yet - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:24 pm: I’m jonesing for a Dunkin defeat - relocated - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:29 pm: I read a blog that predicted the downfall of the democrats because of their tendency (nationally) to slot candidates in primaries thus subverting the will of the people. They mentioned Zopp as being a strong candidate subverted by party bosses. I gotta stop reading that stuff. - Huff and Puff - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:35 pm: Polls across Sangamon County have run out of ballots- and people (predominantly the just-got-out-of-work crowd) have been turned away. Sounds like Rauner has a “superstar” at the Board of Elections. - JS Mill - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:37 pm: =and people (predominantly the just-got-out-of-work crowd) have been turned away.= Does that actually happen? - Cathartt Representative - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:45 pm: Zopp flops and Dunkin done in — things are slightly better I the world. - Christopher - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:46 pm: But I believe they were trying to get additional ballots and would remain open til 8:30pm. And anyone in line should be allowed to vote then. - Huh? - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:46 pm: Tribune is reporting more than 2-1 for Stratton with 20 of 106 precincts counted. - Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:54 pm: Hey Huff and Puff, the State Board of Elections doesn’t handle local Election Day chores. Nice try, though. - RNUG - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 6:54 pm: == Polls across Sangamon County have run out of ballots- and people (predominantly the just-got-out-of-work crowd) have been turned away. == SJ-R had a story out on it an hour or two ago. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:01 pm: Gutsy call Rich. - How Ironic - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:02 pm: If the early results hold, I hope Mr. Dunkin didn’t spend all 30 pieces of silver that Rauner gave him. He’s going to be needing it, and something tells me Bruce isn’t going to be returning his calls. Dunkin would be useless if he lost. - Cgo75 - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:02 pm: Just watched the most horrible political speech ever by Mark Kirk. Truly embarrassing for him and for the State - Keyrock - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:03 pm: Watched Kirk on CLTV. His substance and tone are both way off. Fear mongering in a way that won’t work in Illinois. - MSIX - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:04 pm: ==…I hope Mr. Dunkin didn’t spend all 30 pieces of silver that Rauner gave him.== Sublime. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:07 pm: Nice work, Raunerites… You challenge the Speaker, you go “All in” with Dunkin… So far a really $uper$tar night(?) - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:11 pm: @ OW - is there a post primary episode of Dad’s Home State on ice, two plotlines filmed but only 1 for distribution? - Huh? - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:12 pm: What is the over/under for the length of time before dunkin gets tossed from the House and someone appointed to replace him? - How Ironic - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:12 pm: @ OW, the above was my post referencing Dad’s Home State. - thoughts matter - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:12 pm: was there ever any doubt that the Speaker would win his primary? Who would give up their representation by him in favor of a green behind the ears former felon? - How Ironic - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:13 pm: If Dunkin were tossed, who appoints him? Surely not Bruce. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:13 pm: There WILL be a “Dad’s Home State” ready to be… rolled out. Count on it. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:14 pm: Ward Committeemen in the 5th District would choose. One thing at a time… - Dale Cooper - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:19 pm: I’d say Rauner has a nice cushy gig for Dunkin, but he usually just tosses people aside and avoids them like the plague after he gets his use from them. - Ottawa - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:19 pm: Sit down Dunkin! That was one expensive loss LOL - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:22 pm: Ken Dunkin is going… No. Where. Nowhere. Not until 2017 - 100 miles west - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:25 pm: Is Dunkin in Jeb! territory for dollers-per-vote? - ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:26 pm: “Mike Madigan and the voters he controls” /s - New Guy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:27 pm: Funny thing, when going to vote in Springfield I was asked ‘What party affiliation’ R or D? Well, I’m a D’ but pulling an R card for this. The reply was ‘Thank goodness we’ve run out of D ballots’. - Macbeth - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:35 pm: Please, Ken. Go away. The quicker, the better. - Niblets - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:40 pm: Goodbye Ken. - Reformed Public Servant - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:40 pm: Did Rauner waste money on Dunkin - or teach Madigan a valuable lesson? - New Guy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:40 pm: Follow up to the out of D ballots. There were two men standing in the corner watching the process (kind of creepy, but when noticing the lack of D Cards) asked were there the same amount of D ballots as R ballots when voting started. “We can’t answer that question” was the reply… - Soccermom - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:41 pm: Maze is live on his FB page. - Soccermom - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:42 pm: Sorry — Maze is live on WVON on his FB page. - LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:43 pm: ===Did Rauner waste money on Dunkin - or teach Madigan a valuable lesson=== What’s the lesson? Danielsan show me waste the cash? - XDNR - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:43 pm: Rauner’s money can’t always buy an election, see ya Dunkin, the people have spoken! - JoanP - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:43 pm: The description of Dunkin’s election night “party” from the DNAinfo website: “A buffet sat untouched and the coat rack was empty as the few supporters there watched in the back bar.” It’s pathetic when you can’t even get people out for free food. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:46 pm: Raunerites are not a party, and here is when money and hubris meet the voters. They’re learning that tonight… - Stoic the Vast - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:51 pm: What was the ROI for the Govenor’s Dunkin investment? - The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:53 pm: I really thought that Dunkin’s electrifying speech at the Senior center would put him over the top..LOL. - Norseman - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:53 pm: Sangamon Precinct Judges calling radio to convey their request for ballots. Co. Clerk is not answering the phones. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:54 pm: Wonder if the governor’s called the Speaker to congratulate him. - Amalia - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:56 pm: Charlier, so irritating! - tinsel town - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:58 pm: now watch Rauner find a state job for Dunkin. If the State budget is in such dire straights, it would be irresponsible to have him land in State government. - Mouthy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:58 pm: “Wonder if the governor’s called the Speaker to congratulate him.” He left a message.. - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:58 pm: ====They’re learning that tonight… I think that’s unclear. They should be learning that I agree, but…. He’ll still give money to Dan Proft I would bet. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:59 pm: - tinsel town - Dunkin isn’t going anywhere until January 2017. - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:00 pm: -=—Ken Dunkin is going… ===No. Where. ===Nowhere —Not until 2017 Ding Ding Ding. It’s a paycheck he has to do absolutely nothing to get for almost a year. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:02 pm: - ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:26 pm: “Mike Madigan and the voters he controls” /s Very, very funny! - Magic Dragon - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:02 pm: I believe Mr. Dunkin is about to get “Raunered”! If he gets appointed to a state gig, there should be an investigation. I would say much more likely he may land a GTCR company job. Perhaps in the mailroom. Good riddance Ken! - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:03 pm: ===He’ll still give money to Dan Proft I would bet.=== That’s the Plan, even Proft said that it’s so. - Try-4-Truth - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:04 pm: Bruce Rauner just lost the Illinois primary - Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:04 pm: I wouldn’t bet on Dunkin staying. He has outlived his usefulness for Rauner and become a liability. his presence is a constant reminder of the governor’s political failure. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:05 pm: New Guy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 7:40 pm: Follow up to the out of D ballots. There were two men standing in the corner watching the process (kind of creepy, but when noticing the lack of D Cards) asked were there the same amount of D ballots as R ballots when voting started. “We can’t answer that question” was the reply… Let’s hope it is a couple of Boys with Gold Badges. I don’t think someone is going to fall on a sword to protect Rauner. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:07 pm: ===He has outlived his usefulness for Rauner and become a liability.=== Not at all. It keeps Speaker Madigan in complete check. ===his presence is a constant reminder of the governor’s political failure.=== Not if Dunkin can stifle Dem agendas during an election year… Thats the ball game now till November - Gruntled University Employee - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:14 pm: LizPhairTax @7:43pm You win! - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:14 pm: ===That’s the Plan, even Proft said that it’s so. It’s the plan, I agree. It’s just a bad plan But a grifter is going to grift. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:15 pm: What happened to Dunkin is what happens to those who sell out their constituents and those they previously supported. The ploy to not vote for HB580, the union anti-strike bill, in which Dunkin held the bill hostage with sudden introduction of “minority underutilization” legislation, was just…I can’t utter the words. It was doing Rauner’s bidding. I just saw a bit of the Stratton presser. Awesome. - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:15 pm: ===Not at all. It keeps Speaker Madigan in complete check And Dunkin doesn’t actually have to show up. - cdog - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:16 pm: The Sangamon County Clerk, Don Gray, sure has some questions to answer. How can you not print enough ballots, have a system to quickly print and deliver extras, not have a peon answering your phone all day, and then call your self a competent elected official. Bogus stuff. - DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:19 pm: David Axelrod was on CNN saying “This could be Goodbye Rubio Tuesday”… Not sure if that is original but I did laugh out loud. - Norseman - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:20 pm: Don Gray is definitely feeling the burn. - The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:25 pm: As far as Sangamon County goes it’s either incompetence or shenanigans. - cdog - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:28 pm: Will Sangamon County even be able to certify? - Red Dig - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:29 pm: with 50% in Vandy and Shockers too close to call - Giovannia - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:31 pm: Too soon to start another hashtag campaign? #wheresmazenow? - Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:35 pm: Wow. This night has gone better than I thought possible. Now if Bernie can pull it off. I doubt it, but man what a night that would be. - Norseman - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:36 pm: === As far as Sangamon County goes it’s either incompetence or shenanigans. === I vote incompetence. Oops, I can’t the ballots aren’t here yet. - illini - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:37 pm: Looks like one of my predictions earlier today has not panned out. Unfortunately I will still be represented by both Shimkus and McCarter, Yet Bernie did win the D vote in my county by 20%. Lets see how the rest of the state turns out. - Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:37 pm: cdog, I don’t wanna jump to conclusions without all the info, but you raise some concerns about the performance of the Sangamon Clerk’s office that need to be addressed, and promptly. Noteworthy that over in Champaign Clerk Hulten had some of the same problems, including having the County’s phone system crash, and his folks got the job done including the U of I campus with registering several hundred same-day voters. - Century Club - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:41 pm: Not only will Dunkin remain in office until 2017, Governor Rauner will likely be doubling down for the fall general. - illinois manufacturer - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:48 pm: A guy like Hasis Patel with no money no union support a few progessives does as well as guys with millions of Rauner dollars. Wake up noreen Hammond your district or Rauner.Disappointed about Bernie . It will be 50 50 here but Ohio was a needed win . - PublicServant - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 8:49 pm: Ken, unless you plan to move to Wilmette, now is the time to redeem yourself, go out on an up note and vote with the dems to override Rauner for the benefit of your constituents. It’s not a loss to say I’m a representative who has learned that I was wrong to support the Republican governor against the will of my constituents. I have heard their voice loud and clear now, and will work to implement their clearly spoken will. Ken, it’s never to late to do the right thing. Go out chastened, but determined to right the wrong. Override with the dems, and become a prodigal son returning to the fold. - Norseman - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:02 pm: AA, I may have been too harsh, but there wasn’t just a few problems here or there. Given what has happened in the presidential races this year and the high spending local races, higher turnout should have been expected. Communications problems should be non-existent with today’s technology. Throw-in same day registration and you clearly see the need for some major fixes for the next election. - AC - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:03 pm: PublicServant - how will Dunkin get a soft landing if he does the right thing? - Heyo Rauners Gotta Go - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:06 pm: I see a lot of “Rauner Lost”… how about AFSCME won? People have been kvetching on here for weeks about if the unions could “pull it off.” Well it looks like organized activism can still beat big money any day. - Magic carpet ride - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:06 pm: Ken Dunkin could have been a great Democrat and Bruce Rauner could have been a great gov. Two failures for our state! - dhs Jim - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:08 pm: …now all we need is veto overrides. That’s how you defeat this governor. - Try-4-Truth - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:08 pm: Mr. Heyo, Yes, AFSCME won the night. Keep it up all the way to Nov. and Nov. 2018. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:17 pm: –WGN TV has called it for McCann– The governor needs to change his electoral strategy. Instead of hiring Dan Proft, perhaps he should just pour gasoline on millions of dollars and set it on fire. - Trolling Troll - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:21 pm: Will Rauner humbly admit the defeat, or will he double down? - PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:22 pm: Who can afford to buy themself a Dunkin in the coming months? - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:23 pm: Mjm 2 — rauner 0 - Chucktownian - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:23 pm: Governor Rauner lost big tonight. Why don’t we change strategies now, eh? How about doing your phony-baloney job now, governor? - PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:27 pm: Nothing will happen soon. Dunkin is still there. - Dee Lay - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:28 pm: {Will Rauner humbly admit the defeat, or will he double down?} Double down. All day. Every day. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:29 pm: Century Club If you say it enough it has to be true, right? - From the 'Dale to HP - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:29 pm: Rauner options: 1) status quo, face revolt of down state GOPers and become a lame duck not even 15/16 months into a 48 month term 2) cut a deal with Dems, you own large income tax increases and expansion of sales tax base, Trib Ed Board calls attempts to make “Bruce Rauner” the 21st century “Benedict Arnold” 3) resign Am I missing anything? - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:31 pm: ===Instead of hiring Dan Proft, perhaps he should just pour gasoline on millions of dollars and set it on fire. Dan’s a bit sensitive today given his responses to me on Twitter. - Henry Francis - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:32 pm: BVR ain’t gonna change. He never loses. The question is are any of the GOP legislators gonna stick with him, or change. - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:33 pm: ===Am I missing anything? Burn piles of cash in denial. Wait…he’s already doing that. - Ghost - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:33 pm: Wow Dunkin lost and McCann won….. money question, will Rauner back off his anti union stuff now…. and/or will the GOP folks start to split from him, since this shows you can win without Rauners money, and Rauners money cant kick you out if you don’t do what he wants. Biggest loser tonight IMHO was Rauner, his huge war chest was just made irrelevant. - Tone - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:33 pm: I hope Cook County is ready for the coming crime wave. Foxx, Prekwinkle and Dart will be disastrous. I may have to move to Lake County. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:34 pm: “AWillyWord Consulting” will be taking meetings starting Monday… If interested, please reach out to - AA -… Thank you, The Management - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:42 pm: “will the GOP folks start to split from him” The McCann victory shows it can be done. Stand up for your constituents and they’ll stand up for you. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:45 pm: If voters left the plight g place, rather than wait on ballots in sangamon…can the results be certified?? - Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:46 pm: Norseman-I agree with your post. My point, inartfully stated, was that Champaign got the job done with as many or more challenges and Sangamon should have been more completely prepared for the day. They may wish to reach out for a top-notch Consulting Firm. - Ghost - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:47 pm: apparently all the people telling the gov to hang in there are not a majority of voters…. I guess when you appeal to the 1% you can count on 1% of the vote….. this also show Rauner was not elected for his plans so much as Quinn had people mad at him….. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:53 pm: All those Illinois GOP big hitters and their “organizations” sure were a real big help for Kasich. He might break 20 percent. - Ghost - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:57 pm: Word they probably should have let their wives out of the kitchen to vote….. - Peon - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 9:58 pm: The Governor stopped listening to anyone decades ago. It’s one perk of being a billionaire. He will double down and keep going on his politically inept path. Unfortunately political reality has its own plan, and ultimately his caucus will side with reality. Especially now that his $20M baseball bat looks a lot less threatening. - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 10:02 pm: ===“AWillyWord Consulting” will be taking meetings starting Monday… I bet you can lose a race like Duncan’s with half the money and double the commission. - Omega Man - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 10:12 pm: Rauner amateur hour on full display. - Magic carpet ride - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 10:19 pm: Sam McCann just announced he loves union thugs and is running for governor./s - Stumpy's bunker - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 10:23 pm: Congratulations, Senator Sam and Ms. Stratton! Take a moment and bask in the warm glow of your opponents’ burning piles of cash. You deserve it. - Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 10:41 pm: It’s a great day for union labor. Now hopefully Rauner will see the will of the people and come back to the table in a reasonable manner. Hey, one can dream, right? - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 15, 16 @ 11:14 pm: Hillary Clinton is having a spectacular night. It looks like she might go five for five. A few networks called Illinois for her, and she caught up to and is leading Sanders now in Missouri. - Tone - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 6:15 am: Clinton was the big winner last night. The GOP continues to implode. So does Cook County. - Magic carpet ride - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 7:08 am: Labor proved they can win against the most anti-labor governor ever. Where is the next battle, the 99th house district? - Hamsterdam - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 7:22 am: “I hope Cook County is ready for the coming crime wave. Foxx, Prekwinkle and Dart will be disastrous. I may have to move to Lake County.” I would say the crime wave already came. If Kimm Foxx makes it any worse, I’m not sure anyone would notice… Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.