* From a Tribune story on the plethora of independent candidates running against Democratic nominee Patty García in the 4th US House District, which is currently represented by Chuy García. As you’ll recall, Chuy dropped out after his chief of staff Patty quietly circulated nominating petitions during the final circulation weekend. The switcharoo set off a firestorm. There’s plenty more in the article, but I’m gonna focus on this…

During the debate, the candidates showed far more political similarities than differences as they bashed Trump and called for greater affordability.

[Lyons Mayor Chris Getty], however, separated himself as the most centrist candidate at the forum. He diverged from his opponents when he said Israel’s war actions in Gaza do not constitute a genocide, and again when he expressed a willingness to receive money from super PACs.

“Any one of us, if we want to be realistic about getting elected, we are going to have to align with outside groups, we are going to have to align with other entities to make sure our message is heard, make sure our message is communicated,” he said. […]

Asked if she would accept money from super PACs, [former DC insider Mayra Macías] also touted an endorsement from End Citizens United, a group advocating for campaign finance reform to reduce the influence of undisclosed money in politics.

OK, first of all, candidates don’t “receive” money from super PACs. The committees spend money independently (supposedly) on candidate campaigns.

Also, End Citizens United endorsed Juliana Stratton in the US Senate primary. Stratton, of course, benefited from millions of dollars spent by a super PAC backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, so that endorsement doesn’t mean no super PAC money.

It seems more than obvious from his comments that Mayor Getty is vying for that massive pot of AIPAC spending. It may work. But, wherever that group and everyone else goes, I think we might see a frenzy of spending in that race which will rival what we saw earlier this year in several Democratic primaries here.

If I had to bet, I’d say Macías will benefit the most from super PAC spending, mainly because of her DC ties. Let’s see how it plays out. We don’t yet know which of the candidates will be able to collect 10,816 valid signatures to obtain a spot on the ballot.

In the end, though, Patty García will be the only official Democrat on the ballot. And in a district that overwhelmingly votes Democratic and during a year when Democratic voters are fired up about President Trump, that’s a huge advantage. Her ground game will likely also outclass the independents in the race. She’ll also have the support of most of organized labor.

Anyway, strap in. We’re possibly about to be inundated again.