* According to AdImpact, Richard Irvin spent $3.44 million this week on TV spots. The other side spent a total of $4.4 million, however: The DGA spent $2.25 million, Darren Bailey spent $1.57 million and Dan Proft’s committee spent $621K…
The Democratic Governors Association has spent millions in both Illinois and Nevada, where incumbent governors are seeking reelection, in an apparent effort to weaken their likely Republican opponents.
“The DGA is wasting no time in educating the public about these Republicans,” said Christina Amestoy, the group’s senior communications advisor. “These elected and formerly elected officials want to deceptively retell their histories, and we’re just filling in the gaps.”
So far, the DGA has dropped $8.4 million on television ads across Illinois, including more than $4 million in the Chicago market alone. Those ads target Irvin, the leading Republican ahead of next month’s primary, in which he faces state Sen. Darren Bailey (R) and a handful of other contenders. The winner of the GOP primary will face Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) in November.
Irvin briefly met with reporters at a campaign stop in Bethalto on Thursday morning. Thirteen times, Irvin dodged specific and direct questions about whether he voted for Trump. Twice, he dodged questions about whether he was a more conservative candidate than Darren Bailey.
During an online forum Thursday night, all five Republican candidates for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District seat criticized the U.S. House committee investigating last year’s deadly assault of the U.S. Capitol.
One, Mike Koolidge, said there are much more pressing issues in the nation than determining exactly what happened on Jan. 6, 2021.
“We waste a lot of time talking about something from so long ago,” said Koolidge, of Rochelle. “We need to move on.”
The others criticized the committee for not having an equal number of Democrats and Republicans or for how the two Republican members — Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming — were chosen.
“It’s a sham and a fraud,” said candidate James Marter of Oswego.
— Rep. Rodney Davis has been endorsed by 18 current and former central Illinois county sheriffs in his bid for the 15th Congressional District seat. He’s also been endorsed by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police.
— Jonathan Jackson, candidate for Congress in the 1st Congressional District seat, has been endorsed by Our Revolution Illinois, the state affiliation of the national, progressive political action organization that spun out of the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign of 2016.
* Back to the governor’s race…
Today, the Irvin for Illinois campaign announced the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council endorsed Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and State Representative Avery Bourne in the Republican primary for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. The endorsement adds to Irvin’s growing list of support from law enforcement announced in the last few weeks including the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge No. 7 , Association of Professional Police Officers (APPO) and Illinois Troopers Lodge #41.
…Adding… I knew I was forgetting something…
Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) released his first TV ad of the cycle. The ad is part of the campaign’s nearly 7-figure ad buy and will be seen on broadcast and cable channels across the 6th District.
With families facing high costs, this ad highlights Rep. Casten’s work to address supply chain issues and high gas prices, all while remaining true to his core values of fighting the climate crisis and protecting a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. […]
Transcript
The last few years haven’t been easy. Our homes have become our schools, our offices, and even our gyms. But it’s time to get life back to normal, and that’s why I’m working to free up the supply chain and get gas and prescription drug prices down. All while never losing focus on the fight against climate change. I’m Sean Casten—a scientist, a businessman, pro-choice, and a Democrat—and I approve this message.
* Dargis campaign worker suspended after ethics complaint by 8th District GOP rival: While the Dargis campaign condemned Biebel’s actions, it maintains there is a record of financial litigation involving Kopsaftis. The campaign did not accuse the real estate businessman of any criminal wrongdoing. The campaign provided a list that includes eight breach of contract cases from 1990 to 2009, Chapter 7 bankruptcies in 1996 and 2010, four foreclosures during the ’90s, a civil judgment for debt in Cook County, a small claims case in McHenry County in 1990, a 1993 housing court case, a 1995 condemnation case, and a 1987 eviction for possession — a type of case in which a landlord aims to take back possession of a property.
“If you can win the race in the primary, that leaves a lot of capital for other states in the general.”
And primaries are cheaper. Much cheaper. But no, I don’t think anyone is particularly concerned. Just want to nail this one down early. And Pritzker is going to run like he’s ten points down (which is prudent) and run up the score.
Why is he still dodging whether he voted for Trump, and why are reporters still asking versus reporting it as fact — did he not finally acknowledge, as reported in this blog the other day, that he voted for his Party’s nominee in 2016 and 2020? If he’s said it once just go ahead and report it as fact - you don’t need him saying it again.
===We waste a lot of time talking about something from so long ago===
Hilarious that this guy thinks a mere 17 months after an attempted coup is too long to seek justice. Although I agree to an extent…less talking, more prosecuting.
- It's all Good - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
The DGA seems awfully concerned about Pritzker’s vulnerability and ability to be reelected.
- downstate - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 2:44 pm:
I see the Irvin-Bourne ticket is doing a retail stop in Rock Island County, one of the last blue holdout counties downstate.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
“The DGA seems awfully concerned about Pritzker’s vulnerability and ability to be reelected.”
If you can win the race in the primary, that leaves a lot of capital for other states in the general.
- New Day - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 3:02 pm:
“If you can win the race in the primary, that leaves a lot of capital for other states in the general.”
And primaries are cheaper. Much cheaper. But no, I don’t think anyone is particularly concerned. Just want to nail this one down early. And Pritzker is going to run like he’s ten points down (which is prudent) and run up the score.
- Henry Francis - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 3:02 pm:
If Irvin wins the primary, are the Bailey voters going to vote for him? After what he has said about Bailey? And what he won’t say about Trump?
- ArchPundit - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 3:03 pm:
DGA also wants his donations and if he doesn’t spend as much on his own race, he can donate more to them.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 3:04 pm:
Irvin is Bruce II with the canned evasion on Trump. Focus, Mark, focus.
- Irvin - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 3:40 pm:
Why is he still dodging whether he voted for Trump, and why are reporters still asking versus reporting it as fact — did he not finally acknowledge, as reported in this blog the other day, that he voted for his Party’s nominee in 2016 and 2020? If he’s said it once just go ahead and report it as fact - you don’t need him saying it again.
- Jibba - Friday, May 20, 22 @ 3:57 pm:
===We waste a lot of time talking about something from so long ago===
Hilarious that this guy thinks a mere 17 months after an attempted coup is too long to seek justice. Although I agree to an extent…less talking, more prosecuting.