* Paris Schutz at WTTW…
The Republican gubernatorial primary field is about to get a new entrant who could potentially have hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign cash to spend.
Multiple sources tell WTTW News that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is currently planning to announce his candidacy for governor on Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. According to previous media reports, Irvin could have the financial backing of the state’s wealthiest resident, Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin.
Griffin, who has not publically confirmed his chosen candidate, previously said he would “go all in” on financing someone who could defeat the incumbent Democratic governor, adding that he believes Pritzker “doesn’t deserve to be governor of our state.” Griffin has been particularly critical of Pritzker’s handling of rising crime numbers in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Although a spokesperson for Irvin did not respond to multiple requests for comment, sources say the current plan has the Aurora mayor announcing his candidacy alongside state Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) for lieutenant governor. Bourne did not return a request for comment.
…Adding… Paris just updated his story with this revelation about Pat Brady and Gary Rabine…
Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said a slate venture is a “very risky strategy.”
“It’s very odd for a group to try and present a slate. Republicans don’t do slates, and Republican activists don’t like being told what to do or who to vote for,” Brady said.
Brady is an informal adviser to another Republican candidate for governor, businessman Gary Rabine.
So, Rabine is being advised by a never-Trumper? Interesting.
* It seems doubtful that the legislature will ultimately be in session that day, but, yeah, this was a mistake…
* More from Mark…
* Politico…
Retiring Rep. Bobby Rush has endorsed Karin Norington-Reaves in the Dem primary for his House seat: “Rush and Norington-Reaves first met in 2014, after a local teacher, Betty Howard, was killed by ‘random gunfire’ in Chatham, her campaign said. Norington-Reaves worked with Rush in establishing the Chatham Education and Workforce Center,” by Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet. […]
State Sen. Jacqueline Collins has officially joined the race. “I have a record of activism and legislative accomplishments that most mirror the 1st Congressional District’s progressive profile of civic engagement,” she told Playbook in a text.
But, but, but… Along with gathering signatures for the IL-01 seat, Collins will also pass out petitions for the state Senate seat she holds. She told Playbook she’d have “a formal announcement in the near future” about which contest she’ll ultimately pursue in the primary.
State Sen. Robert Peters, who considered running for Rush’s seat, is running for reelection instead. “I really didn’t want to risk it to go to D.C. right now, where there’s a risk of being in the minority party,” he said,” he told Hyde Park Herald’s Aaron Gettinger
*** UPDATE *** From the Kane County Democrats…
Following the news that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin plans to run as a Republican for governor with the backing of billionaire Ken Griffin and Bruce Rauner’s campaign team, local Aurora leaders are expressing their disappointment in the mayor and standing firmly behind Governor JB Prtizker.
“As a lifelong resident of Aurora, I’ve experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows right here in our city,” said Casey Cuevas, a 40-year-resident of Aurora who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the City of Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. “I appreciate Governor Pritzker’s support and commitment to our people. I remember what Aurora was like when Bruce Rauner was governor. I cannot support Mayor Irvin’s bid for our state’s highest office, particularly if he is financed by the very folks that brought us some of the worst days in Illinois history.”
“Bruce Rauner disinvested in, and overlooked Aurora,” said Brooke Shanley, a local Spanish teacher and vice chair of her teacher’s union.“Social services were cut and our most vulnerable neighbors were left with nowhere to turn. To align yourself with the people that brought our communities that much hurt is contrary to everything I believe in. I am disappointed in Mayor Irvin’s decision and will support Governor Prtizker next fall.”
“JB’s leadership has been invaluable for Aurora,” said Regina Brent, lifelong activist and founder and president of Unity Partnership. “I am proud to support the governor in his bid for reelection and reject any candidate, like Richard Irvin, who would seek to drag Illinois backwards. Republicans have shown us their true priorities for Illinois and we cannot allow them to enact their anti-choice, anti-worker, anti-science agenda.”
“I’m disappointed to see Mayor Irvin compromising his values for a blank check from Ken Griffin,” said Gautam Bhatia, who was appointed by Irvin to serve on the Indian American Outreach Advisory Board and served on the Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission during Irvin’s tenure. “I vividly remember the pain of the Rauner years, and a real leader would denounce anyone who supported his time in office, not cozy up to them.”
“My community remembers the destruction and devastation Bruce Rauner’s administration left us in,” said Eddie Bedford, Naperville Township Supervisor. “We cannot afford to go backwards like that again, and I cannot support any candidate who aligns themself with budget stalemates and painful cuts to critical services.”
The Aurora community has made clear they do not want to see Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin’s leadership return to Springfield.
* More…
* Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin to announce run for governor Monday, sources say: According to multiple sources, Griffin picked Irvin, a moderate in his second term as mayor of the state’s second largest city. Griffin also wants downstate conservative Republican state representative Avery Bourne to be Irvin’s running mate, the sources said. She did not return calls seeking comment. Griffin spent more than $50 million of his own money to defeat Pritzker’s progressive income tax referendum, and pledged earlier this year to do whatever it takes to defeat the governor in the next election.
* Pritzker, Stratton kick off ballot petitioning with Chicago supporters: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker visited a CTA Red Line stop on Chicago’s South Side Thursday morning to collect signatures. His running mate, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and supporters were also at his side at the 95th/Dan Ryan stop collecting petition signatures to get Democrats on the ballot.
* Republican Steve Kim launches bid for Illinois attorney general, vowing to battle crime, corruption, Pritzker and Madigan: Launching his campaign on the first day candidates can start gathering signatures for nominating petitions, Kim became the third Republican in as many days to announce a run for statewide office in the June primary. Like the other two, he made former House speaker Mike Madigan a chief campaign target. … Democrats too have raised a name repeatedly, and it’s that of billionaire hedge fund founder Ken Griffin, who is widely believed to be building a slate of Republican candidates that Democrats say includes Demmer, Teresi and former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser, who is running for Illinois secretary of state.
* Steve Kim tries again as GOP attorney general candidate; US Rep. Bobby Rush endorses Karin Norington-Reaves as his successor: Kim is the latest addition to a slate of Republican candidates being assembled to try to gain the backing of Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and the state’s wealthiest man, who has vowed to go “all in” to defeat first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Griffin’s office has had no comment on the slate’s formation.
* GOP candidate for Illinois AG hits law and order as his big theme: With Kim announcing for AG—following state Rep. Tom Demmer for treasurer, McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi for comptroller and ex-prosecutor John Milhiser for secretary of state—Republicans are awaiting only the official word that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is running for governor to complete a slate that is expected to get huge financial backing from Chicago hedge-fund mogul Ken Griffin.
* Press release: Former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti has officially launched her campaign for DuPage County Clerk. Evelyn’s professional background as an attorney, Human Rights Activist, Assistant Attorney General, Wheaton City Councilwoman and Illinois Lieutenant Governor gives her the experience needed to effectively run the Clerk’s Office. Evelyn’s bipartisan track record makes her the ideal candidate to lead the Clerk’s Office and safeguard DuPage County’s elections.
* Subcircuits simply wrong and unjustified
* Jim Dey: Can indicted officials tap campaign funds to pay lawyers?: “Allegations of misconduct in the discharge of an officeholder’s official duties would not exist independent of the individual’s status as an elected official,” wrote appellate Justice Thomas Hoffman.
* ‘Mancow’ Muller Running For Illinois Governor, Vows More Freedoms: Muller said he is yet to officially file paperwork to get his name on the ballot and understands the process of making himself a viable candidate. Muller said Thursday night he has not spent “one penny” on his efforts to run and declined to specify how he will fund his campaign until the necessary paperwork is filed.
- NIU Grad - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:23 am:
It’ll be hard for Irvin to convince people he’s ready to lead the state, when it is crystal clear that Griffin is the true leader of the Republican ticket.
Illinois likes voting for occasional “mavericks” to “shake up” everything….will they vote for a pawn?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:25 am:
=== Pritzker “doesn’t deserve to be governor of our state.” ===
That is quite “the take” from the wealthiest Illinoisan.
I’m guessing it doesn’t read or sound as well as it was thought, it’s a thought nonetheless by Griffin.
The slate complete?
Irvin/Bourne
Kim
Milhiser
Teresi
Demmer
And so it begins…
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:26 am:
Way to bury the obviously earth-shaking Mancow story, Rich. Hashtag Manufactured Consent.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:30 am:
==Illinois likes voting for occasional “mavericks” to “shake up” everything….will they vote for a pawn? ==
I mean, IL has certainly elected plenty of people who were relatively beholden to one interest or another.
Irvin’s bigger problem is going to be explaining what he’ll do different from Pritzker after praising the guy a ton. He can’t stray too far into Republican orthodoxy without taking on some toxic positions.
- Pundent - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:36 am:
So if crime will be the issue for Griffin this time around does that mean he’s warmed to the idea of public sector unions? Or really any unions for that matter?
The challenge for Irvin will be in acknowledging the consequences of Rauner’s tenure and vowing not to make the same mistakes while being backed by the same benefactor. And likely dancing around the subject of whether or not Joe Biden’s presidency is legitimate and how to navigate a once in a lifetime pandemic. Seems easy enough.
- Juliet Illinois - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:36 am:
Irvin’s voting record has been a Democrat. Ken Griffin can’t find a real Republican to run as a GOP candidate?
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:40 am:
“Ken Griffin can’t find a real Republican to run as a GOP candidate?”
Illinois isn’t going to elect what nowadays is considered a “real Republican.” Griffin doesn’t necessarily need a Republican, he just wants someone who will do what he says.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:41 am:
==Ken Griffin can’t find a real Republican to run as a GOP candidate? ==
Probably not one that can beat JB, no.
But obviously running “Democrat Lite” is a strategy with its own perils.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:42 am:
===Ken Griffin can’t find a real Republican to run as a GOP candidate?===
The duality/nuance of the GOP… Griffin can’t win with Trumpkins, Trumpkin/Cultusts are the base.
Griffin wants the opportunity to win. Trumpkins can’t win in Illinois, statewide.
If they could, and do what Griffin would like… we’d see Griffin back Bailey. Griffin didn’t.
- TheInvisibleMan - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:44 am:
= ‘Mancow’ Muller Running For Illinois Governor =
If this happens, it doesn’t matter which candidate the republicans put forward for governor.
Mancow, as an independent, will siphon votes away from the republican candidate almost exclusively in a way that McCann could only have dreamed of.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:52 am:
==Frerichs campaign: “This is an annual fundraiser that we have been doing for years, and since the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act was updated, we are canceling the event.”==
“But we will still accept funds for those who want to donate to the cause of taxing retirement.”
- Jibba - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:52 am:
I think Griffin has misinterpreted the message of his win against the flat tax. He went “all in” on that one and won, but it is easy to go against raising taxes. Going “all in” against JB will cost a lot more and likely not pay off, since JB is pretty popular with Dems and at least some centrists. I’m tempted to say Griffin lives in an echo chamber, but his choice of candidate tells me that he knows about JB’s popularity, but thinks money can make the difference anyway.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 9:59 am:
From the linked article on potential candidate Mancow Muller:
“However, whether a radio personality who was once waterboarded and buried alive in ice and shut down San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge can be taken seriously remains a major question facing the legitimacy of Muller’s campaign.”
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:01 am:
==Mancow, as an independent, will siphon votes away from the republican candidate almost exclusively in a way that McCann could only have dreamed of. ==
I dunno. I definitely see him having a certain Trumpy appeal. But will he get his name out there enough to capitalize on it? Mancow has been less than an afterthought for several years now.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:02 am:
Mancow’s idol is P.T. Barnum, so he should fit right in fooling people, whether some or all of the time. Agree with the prior comment that if he gets any traction at all (unlikely), it would draw almost exclusively from anti-JB votes and hurt the GOP candidate.
- TNR - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:04 am:
By endorsing a virtually unknown candidate, Bobby Rush just made a wide open race even more wide open.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:09 am:
=== will siphon votes away from the republican candidate===
lol
I seriously doubt he’ll get on the ballot.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:11 am:
=== I seriously doubt he’ll get on the ballot.===
Ball game.
Why give oxygen to a publicly stunt that won’t be able to meet any threshold of either relevance or credibility
- TheInvisibleMan - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:12 am:
Kanye made it onto the ballot in Illinois(before eventually getting kicked off).
I don’t think Mancow getting on the ballot is as doubtful as it would have been 8 years ago.
- Google Is Your Friend - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:12 am:
The first question should be does Richard Irvin believe Joe Biden won a free and fair election?
- Pundent - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:16 am:
=“However, whether a radio personality who was once waterboarded and buried alive in ice and shut down San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge can be taken seriously remains a major question facing the legitimacy of Muller’s campaign.”=
Agreed. When we compare Mancow’s past behavior to today’s insurrections, he seems like more of a moderate.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:20 am:
==I think Griffin has misinterpreted the message of his win against the flat tax. ==
I don’t think he’s even thought about it that hard.I think he just hates JB Pritzker *so much*.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:22 am:
==Kanye made it onto the ballot in Illinois(before eventually getting kicked off).==
Kanye had help from Republicans.
But, then again, maybe JB could throw some money at that, lol.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:23 am:
===The first question===
The laundry list of “first questions” of Irvin, the challenge for Irvin, whom I feel deserves all the kudos he has received as mayor of Aurora, and all the real good Aurora has done in the past 4 years and his terms, will be to be a credible “Republican” candidate that can be a nominee that will get the support of “base cultists/Trumpkins” while being able to be a legitimate choice in the suburbs to voters.
Bourne as a member of the GA, and although no one votes exclusively for or against LGs, that record during Rauner as later Trump years, will be more “first question” problems, votes are votes.
For me? For me it’s like Ives, in a smaller instance to a bigger overall to my respect to Irvin, is the eradication of the idea that Trumpkin/cultists have ruined a two party system in Illinois, and if this ticket can bring back to life an opportunity to have choices outside the “unacceptable”… it’s a good sign.
Now I get to watch and see how this can work.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:27 am:
==o be a credible “Republican” candidate that can be a nominee that will get the support of “base cultists/Trumpkins”==
I would often suggest that “get behind a winner” is a powerful message to the base. But Republicans seem less and less interested in that, and it’s also usually less of a concern after only 4 years out of office.
- Lincoln Lad - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:27 am:
I hope those choosing Griffin’s backing realize it doesn’t come without strings attached. Selling your soul always has strings attached.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:33 am:
At some point the JB campaign can do a commercial called “Ken Griffin” or something like it, to show that the state’s richest person funded and supported Rauner’s massive damage, that JB is helping fix. That should include slashing violence prevention programs. Ken Griffin can’t be the state’s biggest political funder and allowed to be unscathed over the willful harm he caused. Since the union rights amendment will be on the ballot, Griffin’s union-busting effort can be highlighted as well.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:35 am:
Where is Irvin on masking and vaxxing mandates?
After yesterday’s SCOTUS ruling that brushed back vax mandates, I feel like that just gives a shot in the arm (no pun intended) to the Bailey wing of the GOP.
- Jenny Clark - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:40 am:
IMHO the slate that Oswego Willy posted has been planned for a long time. And our fearless leader, Mr. Tracy has been part of it also. Probably why none of the then announced gov candidates was allowed to speak at the state fair. When Z gives an order, it gets done. And if Griffin puts in his money it will just seal the deal on what we’ve all known for some time. The fix is in and has been. Just remember, Z gave us sanctuary cities and HB40. Now he’s giving us a democratic governor pretending to be a republican. Just what the state doesn’t need.
- Pundent - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:40 am:
=Where is Irvin on masking and vaxxing mandates?=
From what I’ve read about him I suspect it’s nuanced. And we know how voters do nuance - they don’t. And the GOP in particular these days doesn’t seem to do it at all Could be interesting to see how he navigates through all of this.
- Wading in... - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:52 am:
Avery Bourne would still be some unknown gal from somewhere in Illinois if not for Bruce Rauner. She earned every kind word and red cent he threw her way carrying his water. At a minimum, having Bourne on the ticket helps Democrats make their “Rauner Reboot” case and, in some small way, postpones the rebuilding/rebranding the Party needs to become relevant again. A new, fresh face would have been better.
Nothing would say you were OK with the Rauner years more than elevating a devout Raunerite.
- CG - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:56 am:
I am not a fan of JB. But I will hold my nose and vote for him. None of the commenters here have mentioned abortion rights. With the Supreme Court on its current path with respect to abortion, I will absolutely not put basic women’s rights further into play by voting for anyone other than a Democrat for Governor. Full stop. In 2009, Richard Irvin referred to Planned Parenthood and Aurora as “deceptive” and compared it to a “strip club” or “asbestos factory.” Now maybe he was trying to split hairs, maybe he’s actually pro-choice or at least not anti-choice. But I’m not taking that chance.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 10:57 am:
It’s quite true, Bourne AND Demmer are Raunerites.
They will need to be able to “answer for Santino”, not only for Dems and Indies, but to the Republicans whom felt betrayed by Rauner, the “Ives” types.
It can’t be overstated, this primary season on that side of the aisle is going to be fascinating to the nuance and divisions of the “GOP” or “Raunerite/Griffin” or “Trumpkin/Cultists”… or even Griffin himself.
I’ll be watching, it has my… attention?
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:02 am:
“he just wants someone who will do what he says”
Irvin is a strong leader who has established himself as a popular leader in Aurora, the second-most populous city in the state. He represents a diverse city and brings a new perspective to the GOP ticket, yet the narrative is that this man is subservient to a donor. Additionally, he hasn’t spoken one word yet as a candidate, Seems like an ill-advised perspective.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:03 am:
===that … posted===
That slate is what it is, wether I put it in a comment or not.
This… this is why I’ve order “all” the popcorn, all the popcorn plus;
===The fix is in and has been. Just remember, Z gave us sanctuary cities and HB40. Now he’s giving us a democratic governor pretending to be a republican. Just what the state doesn’t need.===
LOL
I mean, seriously, lol, it’s like this idea of purity from “all sides”; Ives-types, Cultists, conspiracy theorists… there’s such a litmus test feel… can this slate survive?
It’s a tall order, huge ask, tough climb…
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:04 am:
Donnie, that read like prepared remarks. lol
- Hahaha - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:24 am:
Some of y’all wouldn’t talk about Rep. Bourne the way you do if she were a Democrat…
It’s kinda gross to be honest.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:27 am:
- Hahaha -
Bourne is a Raunerite, that much is true.
How some equate Raunerism that evolved into an unacceptable Rauner social agenda, that’s the “nuance” that is going to fascinate, at least me.
- Wading in... - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:34 am:
The Illinois Republican Party has been sliding backwards for years, Bruce Rauner made things even worse, and Avery Bourne was amongst Rauner’s biggest cheerleaders. I’ll not be the only one to remember that if/when the time comes.
Not sure what’s gross about that.
- Pundent - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:38 am:
I suspect that for the base that they would rather lose with Bailey than win with Irwin. Purity seems to be the immediate focus of the GOP regardless of the outcome. That’s why I feel for Irwin if he chooses to run. I think he might be the right candidate at the wrong time.
- Fav Human - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:45 am:
Pat Brady
He wants to be relevant. This is his best (but not very good) shot at it.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:47 am:
==At a minimum, having Bourne on the ticket helps Democrats make their “Rauner Reboot” case and, in some small way, postpones the rebuilding/rebranding the Party needs to become relevant again.==
Maybe, but people don’t really vote on the LG.
The play with Bourne is that Irvin is pro-life, and he helps prove that.
- Donnie - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:50 am:
“I suspect that for the base that they would rather lose with Bailey than win with Irwin”
Baily will be out spent, and out campaigned by the Griffin slate. The so-called GOP base that you allude to has and will evolve. The GOP voters will be looking towards electability. The national Dem brand is very weak, Trump sees Illinois as a lost cause in 2024 so his gaze in 2022 will be on other races. Not saying they win - but the conditions are sure improved from a few years ago.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:51 am:
== yet the narrative is that this man is subservient to a donor. Additionally, he hasn’t spoken one word yet as a candidate==
Those two things are connected. Blank slates get filled in. Irvin was so wrapped up in his Hamlet of the Suburbs routine that he forgot to speak up for himself. His opponents filled in the silence.
Talk about ill-advised!
- Rabid - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:53 am:
The only thing left is to feather the nest of campaigns for endorsements
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 11:55 am:
==Some of y’all wouldn’t talk about Rep. Bourne the way you do if she were a Democrat…==
Absolutely. If Bourne were a Democrat who generally supported Democratic policies, I’d criticize her less. Why wouldn’t I? I generally support those policies.
It’s like that dril tweet: “”theres actually zero difference between good & bad things.”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:11 pm:
===The so-called GOP base that you allude to has and will evolve.===
Cite examples please.
If that were true, Kinzinger wouldn’t be an outcast in Illinois Republican circles.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:13 pm:
“With the Supreme Court on its current path with respect to abortion, I will absolutely not put basic women’s rights further into play by voting for anyone other than a Democrat for Governor”
In IL, access to abortion will remain unaffected by any SCOTUS actions - trigger law was repealed by Reproductive Health Act, which JB signed in 2019. It established that there is a “fundamental right” to an abortion in Illinois.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:17 pm:
And this alone…
===Trump sees Illinois as a lost cause in 2024 so his gaze in 2022 will be on other races.===
Pritzker will be spending close to a quarter of a billion (that’s with a b), you don’t think “Trump” things won’t be an issue or linking Republicans to Trump won’t be part of that?
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:22 pm:
==Baily will be out spent, and out campaigned by the Griffin slate.==
Out spent for sure, but I wouldn’t be certain about out-campaigned. Bailey’s been criss-crossing the state for months already.
==Trump sees Illinois as a lost cause in 2024 so his gaze in 2022 will be on other races==
This is actually not a reason for optimism for ILGOP.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:30 pm:
==Pritzker will be spending close to a quarter of a billion (that’s with a b), you don’t think “Trump” things won’t be an issue or linking Republicans to Trump won’t be part of that? ==
Nah, look, only the candidates you don’t like get connected to their party’s national brand. Everyone knows this.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:30 pm:
BTW, we’re not spending enough time talking about another sloppy mistake from Frerichs.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:32 pm:
===…another sloppy mistake from Frerichs.===
It’s the rule, not an exception, Frerichs and Crew are seemingly making daily mistakes their norm?
Maybe…
It’s not been the best week for Frerichs. Maybe next week will be better.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:40 pm:
===In IL, access to abortion will remain unaffected===
That’s only true if Republicans in Illinois merely let it slide.
Dems won’t, that I can promise, as Personal PAC won’t.
It *will* be… “Republicans are dangerous for women’s health, voting against abortion, and if they win, they will make Illinois abortion laws like Mississippi and Texas”
And, what, Republicans, like Bourne, are gonna disagree…
Bourne’s own floor performance, which I did praised at the time as well done to her position, still do, will be used to reinforce that abortion in Illinois is only safe with Democrats, and Republicans will force children to have children, not unlike Texas.
- Jibba - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:46 pm:
===In IL, access to abortion will remain unaffected by any SCOTUS actions===
Donnie, of course you must realize that if a national right is removed, then every state will become a battleground, so having pro-choice Illinois officials is vital to protect that right (if you support it, anyway). And the tiresome battles will occur endlessly.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:54 pm:
==In IL, access to abortion will remain unaffected by any SCOTUS actions==
It’s really interesting how you pick and choose which national issues will matter.
If Roe is repealed, do you really think state level RTL groups won’t demand that the Republican nominee support new abortion restrictions?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 12:58 pm:
If abortion and Trump won’t be issues in Illinois, what exactly can the “today” base Republican voter see as good with this Griffin ticket?
Oh.
Scroll above, see: - Jenny Clark -
They won’t be happy, they might not come home for the Griffin Slate.
One race at at time, the primary.
Hoping both abortion and Trump won’t factor in, that’s a later issue for the Slate, if they get past June.
- Chicago Blue - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:13 pm:
The constant references to Illinois’s 2nd biggest city are hilarious. Irvin received less than 7000 votes in his reelection.
I understand that he’s going to operate magnitudes beyond his previous level thanks to Griffin’s millions alone, but people need to stop acting like that 2nd biggest city claim mean he’s an experienced campaigner.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:17 pm:
===The constant references to Illinois’s 2nd biggest city are hilarious.===
It’s factually accurate… and if voter apathy is a thing you don’t like, are you for easier voting access, at the polls or vote by mail? That could be hilarious depending on your answer.
===stop acting like that 2nd biggest city claim mean he’s an experienced campaigner.===
Can you actually point where one equated a statewide run to any municipal campaign?
I don’t see that happening
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:53 pm:
==if voter apathy is a thing you don’t like, are you for easier voting access, at the polls or vote by mail?==
Let’s do both, but they won’t really help with apathy at municipal elections. We need to time municipal elections to coincide with bigger ones, at very least the midterms.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
==“But we will still accept funds for those who want to donate to the cause of taxing retirement.”==
“I see that Pat and Squeezy Quinn are in the house and dropped a few coins in the Tax Retirement can. Not surprised, he was put on this earth to fix pensions.”
- Cool Papa Bell - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
Can Avery run for her house seat and LT Gov at the same time?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:03 pm:
My best wishes to a strong robust campaign to Evelyn Sanguinetti in her pursuit of the office of DuPage County Clerk.
I hope there are yard signs.
- Perplexed - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:09 pm:
I often forget that most voters have many interests, and don’t obsess on all the names mentioned in these comments. With that in mind, four questions:
- If you haven’t watched Irvin in action, can you set aside preconceptions and watch a few videos of him speaking and being interviewed?
- If you ask 100 random Illinois voters what they know about a man named Ken Griffin, how many can give you one knowledgeable sentence?
- How many of those voters can name the last governor of Illinois?
- Yes, Mr. Pritzker can spend a gazillion dollars tying Mr. Irvin to Mr. Trump. How did that work in Virginia’s gubernatorial race? How many Democratic consultants said after Virginia that Trump-bashing is an exhausted tactic? Are those of us who follow inside baseball mistaken to think it’ll matter much in 2022? In other words, if this is an anti-Dem wave year nationwide and if Mr. Irvin is a presentable candidate with money to introduce himself, why are we so sure Mr. Pritzker would be bulletproof from a vote-them-out electorate?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:15 pm:
=== How did that work in Virginia’s gubernatorial race?===
This is Illinois, a year later, and abortion could be a major factor, one way or another.
I think you’re perplexed because Rauner was unknown until he wasn’t, thanks to RaunerBucks…
… I’m pretty sure that a quarter of a billion, likely a half of a billion, (we’re taking a b with that billion) not much is going to be left as unknown.
It’s not that perplexing if you realize how campaigns work.
Man, there’s a half a billion likely on the table… lots of cash out there…
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:45 pm:
Perplexed…
1. I will set aside preconceptions when he actually speaks about anything.
2. Ken Griffin is the richest man in Illinois. Quite a few people know who he is.
3. I would bet you 75% of voters know the name of the last governor of Illinois given how awful of a term he had.
4. Pritzker doesn’t need to tie Irvin to Trump. Unless we are talking about a year like 1994, Pritzker is pretty safe. An incumbent with $250 million to throw at an election, plus an approval rating about 50% doesn’t have to tie his opponent to anyone in particular. And let’s not presuppose that Mayor Irvin can win a primary given the current state of the Republican party.
- Pundent - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
=Mr. Pritzker can spend a gazillion dollars tying Mr. Irvin to Mr. Trump.=
Well before he does that won’t Mr. Irvin have to win a primary where loyalty to Mr. Trump’s will loom large? The former President is making it clear that he’s not going anywhere and he won’t be ignored. Heck he’s got a rally scheduled this weekend. When’s the last time a losing President did that?
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
==- If you haven’t watched Irvin in action, can you set aside preconceptions and watch a few videos of him speaking and being interviewed?==
I guess I can, but I’m not sure what it’s going to prove. To your point, most voters won’t do that.
==- If you ask 100 random Illinois voters what they know about a man named Ken Griffin, how many can give you one knowledgeable sentence?==
Probably few, but that answer might change after an ad campaign focusing on him. Or it may not. Or it might in that more people will know him, but won’t care about him.
== - How many of those voters can name the last governor of Illinois?==
More than can name Ken Griffin right now.
==- Yes, Mr. Pritzker can spend a gazillion dollars tying Mr. Irvin to Mr. Trump. How did that work in Virginia’s gubernatorial race?==
Mr. Pritzker didn’t do it in the VA-GOV race.
==How many Democratic consultants said after Virginia that Trump-bashing is an exhausted tactic?==
Lots. Are we sure they’re right?
==Are those of us who follow inside baseball mistaken to think it’ll matter much in 2022?==
Maybe.
==why are we so sure Mr. Pritzker would be bulletproof from a vote-them-out electorate? ==
Who’s sure of that?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 2:59 pm:
===Mr. Pritzker can spend a gazillion dollars tying Mr. Irvin to Mr. Trump.===
The cult will require loyalty to the Cult Leader, or they may not come back to Irvin.
Looking at what happened to Rauner and that primary squeaker, can a case be made he solidified his Trumpkin base?
The man wore a costume at a rally and was then ignored by Trump. I don’t think I’d call that helpful.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:01 pm:
I think another good question here is how many can name the mayor of Aurora right now? Very few, right? Maybe even less than recognize Ken Griffin, certainly less than can name Bruce Rauner.
- Arsenal - Friday, Jan 14, 22 @ 3:09 pm:
==Mr. Pritzker can spend a gazillion dollars tying Mr. Irvin to Mr. Trump.==
I would also point out that JB Pritzker probably won’t devote his entire campaign to Trump bashing, and indeed, he already hasn’t. He’s got a positive story to tell about his tenure, and he’s going to devote a healthy sum to doing so.