The Washington Post published a story the other day entitled “Meet the wealthy donors who are pouring millions into the 2016 elections.”
The paper listed the top ten national donors to so-called “super PACS.” The list is topped by wealthy San Francisco Democrat Tom Steyer at $38 million. Second place went to “New York-based hedge-fund magnate” Robert Mercer, at $20.2 million.
Keep in mind that these are national-minded donors who are giving to super PACs that focus on the presidential race and U.S. Senate and congressional campaigns throughout the country.
Now, take a look at the money contributed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. His personal campaign committee has contributed over $16 million to the Illinois Republican Party alone this year, accounting for 95 percent of all the money the party has raised. The party has, in turn, used that Rauner money to fund television and radio ads, direct mail, polling, staff, etc. for state House and Senate campaigns.
In June, Rauner gave another $2.5 million to Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC, which is heavily involved in legislative contests.
And the governor contributed $2 million to the Turnaround Illinois PAC, which describes its mission thusly: “To support state legislative candidates who support Gov. Rauner’s bold and needed reforms, and to oppose those who stand in the way.”
That’s roughly $20.5 million, enough for second place in the aforementioned Washington Post list. The difference is, here in Illinois, it’s one guy focusing on only one state.
There are some definite apples and oranges when making this comparison. Not every dime of Rauner’s campaign fund came from Rauner himself. But the total doesn’t include $2.2 million that Rauner gave to his own campaign fund this year, in order to avoid any possible double-counting as money is passed through.
What it does show you, though, is how one person is dominating the money race here far more than individual wealthy people are influencing the national races.
Yes, the Democrats have raised plenty of money as well this year. At the end of June, all Democrats (including the legislative leaders, the state party, rank and file legislators and Democratic challengers) actually had $3.4 million more cash on hand than all similar Republicans, including Rauner.
But Scott Kennedy at Illinois Election Data took a look at legislative funding so far this cycle and, as of 9 pm on September 6th, 16 of the top 20 total contributions to targeted candidates were Republicans.
So, if the Democrats had more cash on hand, then why aren’t they spending more of it? Well, the Democrats can raise only so much more money before November. Rauner and his wealthy friends can simply write big checks and completely erase any disadvantage as need be. It’s kind of like how people who are expecting a large inheritance don’t save much money for retirement. They know lots more cash is in the pipeline, so they often feel free to spend as they wish today.
Kennedy also looked at all the money raised this cycle by the Illinois GOP, the House Republican Organization, the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee and the personal campaign funds of the two Republican legislative leaders and found that of the $21.8 million they’ve raked in so far, 73 percent comes from Gov. Rauner. Without that Rauner money, the Republicans would be at a huge cash disadvantage, like they always have in the past.
Gov. Rauner is giving Republican legislative candidates a fighting chance in a year which otherwise would be seen as a complete lost cause. Despite her national problems, all polling shows Hillary Clinton with a double-digit lead in Illinois.
Without Rauner, Republican legislative leaders would be bracing for an even further retreat into their tiny minority, and praying that the off-year election of 2018 would give them enough of a boost to regain a seat or two here and there.
To make it clear, I’m not saying what Gov. Rauner is doing is a bad thing. House Speaker Michael Madigan has in the past absolutely drowned the House Republicans with his ability to outspend them. The tables are finally being turned on Madigan these days. What goes around comes around, as they say.
But if you thought that Rauner exerted a lot of influence on Republican legislators during his first two spring legislative sessions, you probably ain’t seen nothing yet, especially if the GOP does better than would normally be expected. The Republican leaders are going to owe him big. Really big. And, whatever happens in November, they’ll want to keep that money pipeline flowing freely in 2018.
- The Way I See It - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:29 am:
Having the legislature be a wholly owned subsidiary of the executive sure makes for a healthy democracy …..
- My New Handle - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:35 am:
“…The Republican leaders are going to owe him big….”
And then what do these so-called Republican leaders owe to the rest of the citizens of the state? Privatizing a political party, like privatizing any government responsibility, diminishes or eliminates accountability to constituents and puts every taxpayer in jeopardy.
- Joe M - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:35 am:
Regardless of which party is doing it, I feel that these kind of campaign donations contribute to “voters” being suspect of political activity in general — to the point that many people eligible to vote, don’t.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:40 am:
To the Post,
===The difference is, here in Illinois, it’s one guy focusing on only one state.===
It’s one man’s agenda, it’s one man who is elected in one branch, and personally usurping the co-equal branches by attempting to control 2 separate and equal branches, for himself.
It’s as though the thought, or thoughts, outside one man and his money are not what Illinois government will tolerate.
When one person is the piggy bank, personally, and the $21 million total is 70+% and is sole control of one branch, and thirsts for personal control of another branch of government, even holding hostage 2 caucuses hostage… How is that good?
Personal agendas are scary, especially when the goal is to take a second branch over for nothing more than an agenda to destroy labor, eliminate social service groups, and close state universities…
All there? Rauner denied were on his radar, and Diana Rauner “reassured” is too
We let s stranger in our house, and Indy renovating it, but willing to burn down our house… because it’s a good “business decision”.
- City Zen - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:43 am:
Interesting, right below Soros at #6 on the top 10 super PAC list is a teachers union.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:46 am:
“All three? Rauner denied all three were on his radar, and Diana Rauner “reassured” us too
We let a stranger in our house, and instead of renovating it, is willing to burn down our house… because it’s a good “business decision”…”
- City Zen -
You know a Union, like a teachers’ union isn’t ONE person.
Right?
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:47 am:
Does anybody think it is a good thing to have person essentially monopolizing campaign financing for an entire party in a state?
- City Zen - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:55 am:
==You know a Union, like a teachers’ union isn’t ONE person.==
You’re right, I think it’s NINE:
https://www.the74million.org/article/analysis-how-the-nea-came-to-love-citizens-united
- The Captain - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:56 am:
Remember when there was talk/hope (mostly hope) of a mushroom revolt? Mushroom revolts are very hard to pull off under normal circumstances but they’re even tougher when the guy you’d be revolting against is almost single-handedly funding the party. Rauner has already funded $16 million of this legislative operation, that probably buys him two more years of keeping the caucuses in his camp.
- Honeybear - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:59 am:
I don’t know about other districts but the DEMS are sure paying for mailers against Dwight Kay. I get one to two mailers a week. That’s got to be pretty pricy.
- Delimma - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:00 am:
Let’s imagine that I was fairly well off. Let’s say everyone I work with is fairly well off. We could all pool our money and skip paying for our kids’ college education, our cars, houses, and essentially everything… and NEVER, EVER, come close to having enough clout to merit the same level of influence that a multi-million dollar donor has. It doesn’t matter that that donor is the governor; what matters is that his free speech is that much louder than all of ours. Dollars speak louder than votes.
That’s not right.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:04 am:
- City Zen -
Oh, and let’s not forget Rauner, and individual, a single branch of Illinois government, wants to “own” another branch of state government, even showing he (Rauner) will hold hostage elected officials.
The teachers’ union… from your link…
===Ultimately, nine members of the union’s executive committee — elected by delegates to handle day-to-day affairs — decide how much of the fund goes to the Super PAC and how it is spent.===
So those “NINE”… are elected.
Hmm. Elected.
- Huh? - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:04 am:
Well, 1.4% did say something about trying to run state government like a business. Can’t run a business very well if the other co-equal parts are going off in some other direction.
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:05 am:
== Dollars speak louder than votes. ==
But at the end of the day, you still have to get the votes every 2 or 4 years. Dollars make it a lot easier to buy a ground game, but they don’t guarantee results.
And, as Willy says, it still takes 60 and 30 to do anything on your own.
- illinoised - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:12 am:
Let’s make it tougher for him to buy Illinois. Can we come up with a square mile pricing structure and send him an invoice?
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:14 am:
I think we need to have legal campaign finance limits, to not have our democracy sold the way it is. I believe this should be a top tier issue for all Americans.
- Winnin' - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:15 am:
With that kind of money, you can convince a lot of people to hate Madigan.
- Realist - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:20 am:
Rauner is his own special interest group with the stated goal of fixing Illinois versus Madigan who gathers money from several special interest groups with the goal of maintaining his own power. Rauner is accused of trying to buy the legislature, while Madigan could be accused of owning the Legislature, Judiciary, and held considerable sway over the Executive. That’s not to say it’s always rosy for Madigan, clearly governors and senators have bucked him, but it’s hard to say with a straight face that his holding the campaign purse strings hasn’t purchased considerable influence in Illinois government. Rauner may not be the governor need, but he is certainly the governor we deserve right now *stolen from batman*
- Anon221 - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:33 am:
From Rich’s column: “It’s kind of like how people who are expecting a large inheritance don’t save much money for retirement. They know lots more cash is in the pipeline, so they often feel free to spend as they wish today.”
And that includes spending our social capital and calling it leverage. At some point in time, the “inheritance “of the ILGOP is going to be spent. Then what? Is Rauner’s “Trust” worth the costs?
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 10:53 am:
-Huh?-
You make a good point. I’m sure Rauner looks at the House and Senate and, in corporate speak, sees a couple of subsidiary companies that just need to be straightened out and brought in line with the mainstream business like you would do in any corporation.
- Last Bull Moose - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:16 am:
It is disheartening to see how cheaply Illinois and its politicians can be purchased.
For months I believed that a small group of Republican legislators would form a mini-caucus and structure a compromise. It has not happened.
I did not expect a change in goals, just a change in tactics that would avoid destruction of social services and universities. Clearly too much to ask.
Illinois has become a banana republic, with Rauner et. al. playing the role of United Fruit. This did not turn out well for the banana republics. Will Illinois fare better?
- Lech W - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:21 am:
Madigan finally has some competition and instead of focusing on this 3 decades of pay to play and union influence peddling. The largest of these Union donors are the local gov’t and School Dist employees, so that is taxpayer money being laundered back to only Democratic politicians that Madigan controls. The Rauner money is voluntary donation from the private sector. Geesh give me a break
- JS Mill - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:26 am:
=You’re right, I think it’s NINE:=
As much as their power and influence has diminished, unions still represent tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of Illinois workers. These are mostly good, hardworking people who don’t care a lot about politics until they have to. They generally care about the same things I do (family, retirement, paying bills, church etc.).
I am not pro union, but unlike the governor I respect their right to organize and bargain. Even if their reps can be a pain in the neck at times, they represent a lot of good people. The governor does not see it that way.
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:28 am:
It’s his money, but it’s sad.
Just think of all the cool, good things Rauner could have done with that money if he’d picked a worthy retirement hobby.
Millions for Proft and Dunkin ain’t the stuff of memorable eulogies.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:29 am:
=== so that is taxpayer money being laundered back===
lol
That is such a goofy idea.
- Annonin' - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:37 am:
The funniest part is no one –zip zero nada — donors are following BigBrain’s lead. Many savvy GOPies fat cats know Trump is the anchor that drags all down so they keepin’ those check books dry.
- Anon221 - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:42 am:
Lech W- Rauner’s Bucks are repurposed, too…
“Mr. Rauner, a millionaire who retired as GTCR chairman last year in anticipation of a run for the state’s top office, led a firm with more than $10 billion under management largely from public pensions nationwide, including the biggest in Illinois. After earning millions of dollars from this work, Mr. Rauner says he wants to use his insights to overhaul the state’s pension system…”
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130406/ISSUE01/304069983/rauners-love-hate-relationship-with-pension-funds
- Bluegrass Boy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:10 pm:
Wow.
$20+M is a lot of money - but a whole lot less than I’d think it’d take to buy a whole State for a plaything….
Of course you want to clear out all the underprivileged and annoying whiny middle class types you can. Less nonrich people = less headaches. Ideally you make the downstate population look like Wyoming or Montana. The main thing is have a lot of nice pretty uninhabited land for your wine-club buddies to ride around and enjoy.
Only $20+M to be able to do that? That’s a bargain.
- Honeybear - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 12:47 pm:
– am not pro union, but unlike the governor I respect their right to organize and bargain. Even if their reps can be a pain in the neck at times, they represent a lot of good people. The governor does not see it that way.–
Thank you for saying that. You don’t know how much that means to read that statement.
- JS Mill - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:01 pm:
@Honeybear- My pleasure, and it is totally true.
- X-prof - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:29 pm:
=== To make it clear, I’m not saying what Gov. Rauner is doing is a bad thing. House Speaker Michael Madigan has in the past absolutely drowned the House Republicans with his ability to outspend them. The tables are finally being turned on Madigan these days. What goes around comes around, as they say. ===
IMO, it’s absolutely a bad thing. This isn’t all about Rauner vs. Madigan. It’s also a battle over how IL will be governed.
Rauner, with a big assist from SCOTUS, is attempting to replace democratic rule in Illinois with oligarchy. There’s no need to excuse Madigan’s abuses to see Rauner as a fundamental threat to the people of this state. If Rauner succeeds, his soft coup will prove more damaging and harder to fix in the long run than any of the immediate damage he has already caused (as serious as that is).
Two wrongs don’t make a right; esp. when the second wrong is far more extreme* than the first.
* I’m not referring to the specifics of Rauner’s policies (though I could). Rauner is attempting to concentrate power in the hands of just a few individuals, whereas Madigan has to keep multiple, often conflicting, constituencies happy to maintain his power. Up to a point, that’s how representative government is supposed to work.
- Anti-m - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:31 pm:
===Lech W - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 11:21 am: Madigan finally has some competition and instead of focusing on this 3 decades of pay to play and union influence peddling. The largest of these Union donors are the local gov’t and School Dist employees, so that is taxpayer money being laundered back to only Democratic politicians that Madigan controls. The Rauner money is voluntary donation from the private sector. Geesh give me a break===
When a person attacks what he perceives as corrupt in a different manner that (on its own merit) is a form of corruption, it makes that person no better than what he is attacking.
- Big Muddy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:51 pm:
Madigan has had the table tilted his way for way too long. It’s fun to see the table leveled and if you are whining now about the money in politics where were you the past decades when MJM was outspending everyone. Bully pulpit no more and I happen to think turnabout is fair play. It’s fun hitting people over the head when you are the only one with a club but sucks when the bashee becomes the basher!
- @MisterJayEm - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 1:54 pm:
– MrJM
- X-prof - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:14 pm:
Why do some posters here think Griffin, Rauner and Uihlein should be able to purchase control of state government, but thousands of union workers shouldn’t be able to pool resources to advance their interests?
It’s a rhetorical question, no need to answer.
- Homer J. Quinn - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:22 pm:
“We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.”
apparently we don’t remember this like they did in FDR’s time, and have had to learn the lesson again.
- City Zen - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:34 pm:
==Rauner, with a big assist from SCOTUS, is attempting to replace democratic rule in Illinois with oligarchy.==
It’s always been an oligarchy in Illinois. Only the names have changed. Well, some…
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 6:37 pm:
==Rauner, with a big assist from SCOTUS, is attempting to replace democratic rule in Illinois with oligarchy.==
It’s always been an oligarchy in Illinois. Only the names have changed–
You choose to ignore facts.
Until now, there was never a time when an individual was the sole financial source and undisputed political boss of a major party in the state.
Today, that financial source and that political boss is Gov. Rauner, and that party is the Republicans. Fact.
The old boss of legend, Richard J. Daley, had serious opposition among Illinois Democrats throughout his career.
Who in the GOP dares oppose Rauner, on anything?
McCann did, on a meaningless vote on one bill of thousands.
Look what happened to him.
- Chucktownian - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:01 am:
All this money…and they’re going to lose. And then Rauner is out in the next cycle no matter how much he spends.