* As expected, Holly Kim has announced her bid for state comptroller. Press release…
Today, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim officially launched her campaign for Illinois State Comptroller at a Teamsters Hall Local 301 with dozens of supporters, including elected officials, friends and family to show strong, early support for her candidacy.
“Susana Mendoza the current comptroller has done an amazing job paying down the bill backing, with the nine credit upgrades and she is graciously not running for reelection. It matters who picks up that baton and runs with it,” Holly Kim said during her announcement speech.
With the official announcement, a new video highlighting her record of fiscal responsibility, community-focused leadership, and readiness to build on the progress made under outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Watch the launch video here: https://youtu.be/eJkbEdJ7RJU
In the video, Kim outlines her priorities and makes the case for why she’s ready to serve. “People across Illinois trust me to do the work, because I show up and deliver. And I’d be proud to make history as the first Asian American executive state officer in Illinois.”
Along with the video, a long list of over 50 notable to local elected officials have already committed to Holly Kim for Illinois State Comptroller, including US Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), State Representatives Rita Mayfield and Sharon Chung, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, and Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, to name a few of her 50+ endorsements. You can find the growing list of her endorsements at www.voteforhollykim.com/endorsements.
A two-term elected countywide executive, Kim has led the Lake County Treasurer’s Office through a period of modernization and reform where she introduced eBilling and expanded access to affordable banking options for working families. Kim also brings public, private, and nonprofit sector experience to the race. She serves as a Commissioner for the Illinois Comptroller’s Bank On Initiative, and previously held elected and appointed leadership roles as a Village Trustee, Township Director, and nonprofit board member.
A proud daughter of Korean immigrants, Kim was raised in Chicago’s Koreatown, where she was shaped by the strong work ethic and fiscal responsibility of her father, a small business owner. His example laid the foundation for her commitment to public service and sound financial stewardship. Her campaign for Comptroller emphasizes transparency, modernization, and fiscal stewardship that puts people first. To learn more about Holly Kim and her campaign, visit www.voteforhollykim.com.
- James - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:02 pm:
Since when did “Comptroller” become pronounced as “controller”? I saw this happen under Mendoza, but never heard it pronounced that way before.
Kim is the best choice for the job. It appears she has Mendoza’s support, as she appears in a produced way in the video.
- Scoot - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:05 pm:
I give it an A. She introduces herself and explains what she’ll do as Comptroller. Her ad also provides diversity which is needed on the statewide ticket. She’s got my vote.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:06 pm:
No rating, but if it had been possible (it wasn’t), I’d have taken off this week instead because so many of my readers are at NCSL.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:07 pm:
===Since when did “Comptroller” become pronounced as “controller”?===
It turns out, we’ve all been mispronouncing it forever.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:13 pm:
Merriam Webster has both pronunciations, but lists “controller” first. I don’t think there is a “wrong” way, I would say there is a preferred way.
That said, in Illinois we pronounce a lot of things wrong: Vienna, Athens, New Berlin. lol
- *ducks* - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:15 pm:
My main takeaway is it feels like it foreshadows a Mendoza endorsement.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:25 pm:
===Vienna, Athens, New Berlin===
Paris.
- Leatherneck - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:27 pm:
=That said, in Illinois we pronounce a lot of things wrong: Vienna, Athens, New Berlin. lol=
Don’t forget “Lewistown” being pronouced like “Lew-is-Ton.”
- NIU Grad - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:32 pm:
Much, much better than the Croke announcement. Focuses on the office before herself and demonstrates her experience for the position.
The Pritzker team will get everyone lined up behind Rep. Croke, but Kim is going to be one to watch. She has been making Chicagoland connections in the suburbs for years and has the energy/personality/story needed to win a statewide office that people don’t think about.
- Chicago voter - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:33 pm:
The video is pretty good, but her announcement was so sparsely attended, with none of the core electeds who endorsed her present. Makes me wonder how disorganized the rest of her campaign will be.
Also: one of the people in the squares at the beginning of the video is the spouse of the contact on her press release.
- Chicago voter - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:33 pm:
Also, an endorsement from Mendoza right now would NOT be a positive for a lot of people. This is a Democratic primary, not a general election.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:53 pm:
===none of the core electeds who endorsed her present===
NCSL
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 2:55 pm:
I am giving this one an A.
I really appreciated that the ton of this ad is that she is running for an open position where Comptroller Mendoza is doing an excellent job.
===an endorsement from Mendoza right now would NOT be a positive for a lot of people===
I would wonder how many people would decidedly vote against someone in the primary because Mendoza endorsed them.
Also — would an opposing campaign really want to suggest that Mendoza’s endorsement is bad?
It’s fine for a center or center left politician to endorse someone that is more to the left of them.
- Chicago voter - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:04 pm:
===NCSL===
Then why plan an announcement then? Seems like the worst possible time.
===Also — would an opposing campaign really want to suggest that Mendoza’s endorsement is bad?===
Generally probably not, but in this case with her aggressive support for Israel and the death penalty, if a progressive candidate like Karina Villa gets in the race, it could be great to emphasize.
- Chicago voter - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:05 pm:
**Mendoza’s aggressive support for Israel and the death penalty, to be clear.
- Shytown - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:08 pm:
I give it a B, but please, please don’t wear a cowboy hat downstate thinking that’s going to help with votes lol. While I recognize she has a flare for social media, that’s not how a race for state comptroller will be won in a primary. It’s going to be won by lining up your political endorsements (will be a challenge for Kim) and raising the money you need to be competitive (predicting that will be another challenge for Kim). And to echo other comments, an endorsement from Mendoza is not necessarily going to be a positive.
- Trinity - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:08 pm:
I think Holly Kim has a lot to offer. But choosing Maggie O’Keefe as a campaign manager could cost her both endorsements and the race. Maggie is still the 40th Ward Committeeperson, which is a serious conflict of interest. She recently created content for the Cook County Democrats during their endorsement process and played a key role in the failed Operation Swingstate. That effort took thousands from the Harris campaign but skipped canvassing Black and Latino precincts in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Let’s not forget the chaos in Jessica Gutierrez’s 30th Ward race, where Maggie’s team sent Guiterrez’s lawyer to intimidate Ruth Cruz’s campaign staff at polling sites on Election Day. People may respect Holly, but Maggie has burned too many bridges with elected officials and staffers. That damage is hard to overcome.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:14 pm:
===Then why plan an announcement then?===
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- Original Rambler - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:28 pm:
B-. I didn’t see much earthshaking in it and am genuinely puzzled by the Mendoza fawning (which is understandable). That brief shot of her in the cowboy hat and waving flag was kind of weird to me. Pandering to downstate? IDK maybe those voters will fall for it. She absolutely needs Mendoza to endorse her after this bit or she’ll look silly.
- BigLou - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:29 pm:
I could have done without seeing her in the cowboy hat and boots at the end but otherwise it was ok.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:38 pm:
Nobody’s gonna comment on the goat?
- Get Real - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:48 pm:
Trinity is spot on. And let’s not forget O’Keefe’s support of Dave Nayak. Kim seems like a great candidate, and I hope she finds a campaign manager who is worthy of her ASAP.
- JP Altgeld - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 3:56 pm:
==People may respect Holly, but Maggie has burned too many bridges with elected officials and staffers. That damage is hard to overcome.==
There’s “inside baseball” and then there’s a cowhide factory.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 4:00 pm:
I think you have to announce if you want to circulate petitions, and you want folks to know that Croke is not running opposed.
I give us a break on “Paris.”
but
Cairo
Marseilles
Versailles
Milan
Orion
Rio
San Jose
Burbonnais
Nope.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 4:20 pm:
If she can outspend Croke, she has a good shot.
The Machine is going to be focused on the US Senate and Congressional races. Pritzker’s team cannot lose the US Senate race to Durbin’s team or Alexi’s team.
- twowaystreet - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 4:26 pm:
==Nobody’s gonna comment on the goat?==
It’s relatable; everyone has a family goat. /s
I honestly thought it was a dog until I read your comment. I definitely wasn’t paying enough attention.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 4:27 pm:
“Nobody’s gonna comment on the goat?”
I was waiting for the goats inclusion in a campaign ad. If the goat is not in a campaign ad and she loses the primary, that is the reason I am attributing it to that.
- Shytown - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 4:36 pm:
Trinity, oof. That’s some tea.
- Thomas Paine - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 4:53 pm:
=== Also: one of the people in the squares at the beginning of the video is the spouse of the contact on her press release. ===
Tell me you work for the Croke campaign, without telling me you work for the Croke campaign.
Seriously, man, keep the OR on Holly Kim coming.
*It is so weird that Holly Kim’s campaign ad does not feature total strangers.*
- Shytown - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 5:03 pm:
==Tell me you work for the Croke campaign, without telling me you work for the Croke campaign.==
This is so lol. This site caters to folks who are the ultimate insiders. This is what we do.
- Give us Barabbas - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 5:26 pm:
A minus: took a half point off for stiffness of the read, but she will get better. Yes the hat is pandering to uncertain old white voters. But the script hits all the right points and is fairly well executed, camerawork could be more exciting, the editing is fine.
- DriXander - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 5:36 pm:
Thank you, Rich, for clearing that up. I thought for sure my eyes were deceiving me.
- Trinity - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 5:57 pm:
====”There’s “inside baseball” and then there’s a cowhide factory”
Oh I forgot about Dan! I will take this as a compliment
- Phineas - Monday, Aug 4, 25 @ 6:15 pm:
I’m in favor of parents who affirm and show off their purple-haired kids.
- Graybeard - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 11:36 am:
I think Maggie is great, and Holly is lucky to have her leading the campaign.