Not only is next year’s Illinois gubernatorial election already crowded on the Democratic side, it also might be the most expensive governor’s race in American history, some experts are predicting.
According to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Illinois is No. 1 in the nation for most candidates who have officially filed their candidacy and started fundraising. It’s also No. 1 for dollars raised, nearly doubling the next-closest state.
The group says the candidates, who include at least three who are independently wealthy, have raised more than $61 million toward the 2018 race, with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner leading the pack with $50 million of his own funds donated in December and Democrat J.B. Pritzker, who just entered the race, personally chipping in $7 million.
The next three states are Texas, where one gubernatorial candidate has reported raising more than $34 million; New York, with nearly $24 million raised by one candidate; and California, where three candidates have raised about $17 million.
Sarah Brune, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, said spending for next year’s governor’s race is already more than half the total from 2014, when Rauner was elected.
Though he and Rauner are both extremely wealthy, Pritzker says that’s where the similarities end.
“Bruce Rauner and I couldn’t be more different. We have a completely different set of values,” said Pritzker.
“This state needs a champion that’s going to stand up for our kids, that’s going to stand up for creating job, that’s going to fund education and stand up for health care,” he said.
Heather and Jackie have heard those promises before.
“Bruce Rauner said the same thing and we still have no budget yet,” said Grissom.
He did get quite a bit of good press over the weekend, however…
When asked where the problem lies amongst the governor’s administration and the legislature, Daiber said there is “plenty of blame that can be spread in a lot of places.“
”I think compromise is the issue at stake here. I think it’s something that’s failed to happen for two years. I don’t like to put the whole blame on the governor, but realistically he came in with the Turnaround Agenda, and he’s dug in. Residents of western Illinois are sort of held hostage. I don’t think that’s they way you govern. He would’ve been more successful if he came in, found common ground with Democratic leadership, passed a budget, and then said, ‘Look, I want to rebuild the business climate in Illinois, here are some of my agenda items. What can we work on here?’ That’s not what’s happened here.” […]
“Illinois is a rich state. It has the financial capacity to be prosperous. The agricultural industry base isn’t talked about a lot in Illinois, but it’s the meat and potatoes of the economy. All the businesses and industries in Illinois are solid because of agriculture. I have been involved in agriculture all my life. With being governor, I think it’s just an advantage for that business group.“
* Several candidates attended the March for Science on Saturday…
Representatives for gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss were also out campaigning. They pointed out that as a former U. of C. math professor, he would be uniquely qualified to solve Illinois’s budget issues. It is true, he probably has more experience with imaginary numbers than most.
Kennedy had to leave before he was supposed to speak and nobody told the hosts. So, there was an awkwardly long pause when the emcee called Kennedy up to give his speech and he wasn’t in the room. Oops. I got some texts and calls last night and this morning wondering what had happened, but I’m told all is well. Kennedy is heading to Caseville today.
Kenmedy’s campaign is not firing on all cylinders. How in the world do you not speak to a group of 750 party loyalists. Rather amazing how terrible its going for him so far…
For the good of the state Madigan should pledge when it’s down to Rauner and ? in the race that he’ll retire if Rauner’s defeated. Otherwise hope the Democrats do some more recruitin…
750 attendees and you don’t speak? You are running for Governor, right? Very basic mistake could have been avoided. Maybe next year? Granted if it’s at the same time next year the primary will already be done.
Misterjayem. Why is it you who use a pseudonym feel so brave and honest? You are anonymous, but think your moniker gives you heft? Use your given name before you start tossing $(&@ around.
JB got a small bit of press. Matches the amount of people that showed up in Carbondale to see him. I wasn’t there, but had good friends there.
Supposedely wasn’t too dynamic. He sounded ok on clip, but topic was….I dunno.
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:11 pm:
Attractive smiles attract, not distract. Kennedy should either get his Mr. Ed fixed, quit smiling or use the best product ever: duct tape.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
I can’t remember the last time an Anonymous commenter added something of substance to the conversation.
– MrJM
- Saluki - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
Kenmedy’s campaign is not firing on all cylinders. How in the world do you not speak to a group of 750 party loyalists. Rather amazing how terrible its going for him so far…
- Anon0091 - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
Where was Kennedy going that was more important than 750 activists in DuPage?
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:40 pm:
Anybody But Rauner.
- City Zen - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
#DemToupees
- Mouthy - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
For the good of the state Madigan should pledge when it’s down to Rauner and ? in the race that he’ll retire if Rauner’s defeated. Otherwise hope the Democrats do some more recruitin…
- Deft Wing - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
That awful Dem toupee was slightly less distracting than the toothy smile/face of the candidate best seen on the radio.
JB keeps forgetting to tout that he made his money honestly … through inheritance.
- Ahoy! - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 2:48 pm:
I dig how Kennedy looks like Austin Powers in the picture.
- Anon0091 - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 2:53 pm:
Dem Toupees? Who has a toupee?
- W Flag - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
Really! Haven’t seen a toupee that silly since I watched “Disorder in the Court” with Moe, Larry, and Curly.
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 3:41 pm:
750 attendees and you don’t speak? You are running for Governor, right? Very basic mistake could have been avoided. Maybe next year? Granted if it’s at the same time next year the primary will already be done.
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 3:54 pm:
Misterjayem. Why is it you who use a pseudonym feel so brave and honest? You are anonymous, but think your moniker gives you heft? Use your given name before you start tossing $(&@ around.
- blue dog dem - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
JB got a small bit of press. Matches the amount of people that showed up in Carbondale to see him. I wasn’t there, but had good friends there.
Supposedely wasn’t too dynamic. He sounded ok on clip, but topic was….I dunno.
- Veil of Ignorance - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 5:38 pm:
Ahoy just made my day with that comment…hilarious.
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 6:20 pm:
“Why is it you who use a pseudonym feel so brave and honest?”
‘Brave and honest’ has nothing to do with it — your post was garbage.
“You are anonymous, but think your moniker gives you heft?”
No. My record of worthwhile contributions to this site while using this moniker gives me heft.
“Use your given name before you start tossing $(&@ around.”
Don’t worry, ding-dong. I’d never toss you.
– MrJM
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 6:21 pm:
OMG, JB’s rug looks like what Bill Cellini wore in the 80’s. JRT used to whisper, ah, well, you’re not gonna hear it from me.