Whew.
Reporters – as you report on our most recent contribution to JB’s campaign, I wanted to make sure that you were aware that part of this contribution is helping elect candidates across the state. JB is committed to helping turn out voters and making sure Democrats across the state have the resources to support the grassroots, statewide infrastructure necessary to win up and down the ballot and turn every seat blue. We are not just making contributions to Democratic campaigns and committees, but we are investing in field, digital, and messaging that will drive Democratic turnout across the ticket.
For example, IDCCA President and head of the Rock Island Democratic Party Doug House has led efforts at the county level to open 67 offices opened statewide, 41 counties of which haven’t opened an office in the last ten years. 70 counties are running at least one flight of direct mail and 50 counties are running door-to-door canvassing in coordination with state and local campaigns. 70 counties are running at least one night of phone banking each week and 88 counties have established a digital presence, including some counties investing in digital spending. Through their efforts, almost 75% of all Precinct Committeeperson spots have been filled.
Further, the Pritzker Campaign has partnered with Democratic Party of Illinois to run a statewide vote by mail program where applications were sent to 2.5 million voters across the state. So far, 370,000 applications have been returned and our program resulted in almost 200,000 applications being returned, making the joint program responsible for over 50% of all vote by mail applications so far.
In regard to our most recent contribution, almost $4 million will go to:
$1 million to the Rock Island Democratic Party
$1 million to the Democratic Governors Association
$1 million to Raoul for Illinois
$700,000 to the Democratic Party of Illinois
$250,000 Personal PAC
Below is a total breakdown of close to $19 million that has been contributed to candidates and committees across the state:
Rock Island County Democratic Central Committee, $3,600,000
Democratic Majority, $3,000,000
Raoul for Illinois, $2,940,000
Democratic Party of Illinois, $2,120,000
Illinois Democratic Heartland Committee, $1,500,000
Senate Democratic Victory Fund, $1,500,000
Democratic Governors Association, $1,000,000
House Majority PAC, $1,000,000
Cook County Democratic Party, $540,000
Personal PAC, $526,000
St. Clair County Democratic Central Committee, $400,000
Senate Majority PAC, $250,000
Citizen Action / Illinois, $50,000
Citizens for Jesse White, $50,000
Friends of Frerichs, $50,000
Democratic Party of DuPage, $5,000
Discuss.
- Anonimity - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 9:21 am:
The “puppet” becomes the puppet master.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 9:35 am:
Could be a real bloodbath for the GOP in DuPage this year.
- Not a Billionaire - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 9:35 am:
The NYT had a story about how many house seats can be flipped by gubernatorial landslides. It’s a contest between CA PA NY IL MN and MI . All have landslipd Gov races and 8 6 4 4 2 and 2 seats that could flip….also dems will have huge say in 2020 redistricting this time.
- Downstate - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 9:54 am:
People assume southern Illinois will turn out for republicans but the races will be highly competitive. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelly wins over Bost.
I’ve met so many conservative blue collar people here in this part of the state who are absolutely ready to throw out Rauner. There is absolutely no enthusiasm to vote for Bost. My bet is that a lot of disillusioned conservatives will skip this election entirely.
With that said, who knows how Trump’s visit will change things…
- City Zen - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 10:08 am:
JB has also written a lot of $5,000+ checks towards ward and township committees:
https://bit.ly/2JeCrjm
- DarkHorse - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 10:23 am:
For all JB’s generosity, he would be well-served to kick in a million or two more to Raoul.
Harold is a gateway drug to Rauner. Anyone who votes for Harold is a potential vote for Rauner. J.B. and Raoul are letting this AG race get too close.
Plus, can you imagine what a nightmare for J.B. if Harold is AG. She’ll spend 4 years trying to keep him off balance and then run against him in 2022.
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 10:25 am:
Like you said Rich, “the Democratic Party wants JB’s checkbook.”
- Hollow man - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 10:28 am:
Then his campaign comes in and won’t work with the party locals, right hand doesn’t know what left side is doing.
Ignoring history and lessons learned leads to history repeating itself.
- Not a Billionaire - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 10:32 am:
According to Jon Ralston his rally may have driven out Dems instead.
- W.S. Wolcott - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:46 am:
What am I missing? All that $ to Rock Island County? Seems it could have been spread around a little bit. This is a big state…
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 11:47 am:
===What am I missing? All that $ to Rock Island County?===
That’s the conduit they’re using to spread it around. Try to keep up here.
- W.S. Wolcott - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 12:03 pm:
Thanks for letting me know, Rich. I guess I was wondering why they aren’t just spreading it out to its ultimate destination and why they feel the need to use a conduit - and why the conduit is Rock Island. No question marks in this comment. I see I’ve exceeded my stupid question limit for the day. I’ll search around the web and try to get up to speed.
- Mama - Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 3:34 pm:
All of that campaign money should be put to better use than campaigning for public office.