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Campaign stuff
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026 - Posted by Isabel Miller * JB for Governor…
* The spot… * Politico…
* Democratic US Senate nominee Juliana Stratton is up with her first TV ad of the general election…
* Subscribers know more. The Tribune…
Discuss. * More…
* WGN | Race for Governor hits the home stretch: Pearson says he expects Bailey to come out firing when the two meet for a televised forum on Tuesday, ” I would expect that it’s going to be an angry Darren Bailey, and that it’s going to be attack, attack, attack, attack, attack, and basically try to keep Pritzker from answering or saying anything.” * Sun-Times | Gubernatorial grudge match pits Gov. JB Pritzker against Darren Bailey: The Hyatt hotel heir with an estimated net worth of $4.2 billion dropped $65 million into his gubernatorial campaign this summer, pushing his personal tab over three campaigns past $400 million. That’s not counting millions more that Pritzker has directed to fellow Democrats and left-leaning causes across the nation and at home, including $58 million he pumped into his most notable state-level loss: the failed 2020 effort to amend Illinois’ constitution allowing for a graduated state income tax. * Press release | Illinois Farm Bureau Names State Rep. Adam Niemerg ‘Friend of Agriculture’: Based on his record of support for Illinois farmers and the agriculture industry in the state, the Illinois Farm Bureau has named State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) a 2026 “Friend of Agriculture.” “Agriculture is the lifeblood of the Illinois economy,” Niemerg said. “Illinois is a leading ag producing state. We feed the nation and the world here in Illinois. I am committed to preserving the rich history of family farming in our great state. It is an honor to receive this award.” * Tribune | Illinois Senate race: Juliana Stratton, F-bomb ads behind her, leans on primary performance versus Don Tracy: Her Republican opponent, Don Tracy, has used the emergence of progressive candidates like El-Sayed to try to paint Stratton as a supporter of socialism. Stratton, though she backs progressive policies, does not identify as a democratic socialist. “I am not as much into the categorization as I am in — what kind of lives do I want people to live?” Stratton said. “It’s not like having access to healthcare or making a livable wage is a Democrat or Republican issue. It’s not a progressive issue versus a moderate (one).” * Lake County News-Sun | Political newcomers vying for 51st District state House seat: Both Smith, a Republican, and Democrat Levin have devoted their careers to helping people. When it comes to raising the income limit for child assistance in Illinois, they share a belief that aid should be available to more families. “Parents sit across from me crying because their children need help and (they) can’t afford the cost of daycare,” Smith said. “It’s a huge cost. I would support raising the income limit for childhood support for parents.” Seeing benefits beyond the families themselves, Levin said she would “love to see that money increase.” She also understands the state’s revenue sources are limited by its current tax structure, which also needs changes.
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- City Zen - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 10:38 am:
==Pritzker has fought to lower costs for Illinoisans by eliminating the state tax on groceries==
“I like the clever wording,” the shopper says as she reviews her grocery receipt and still sees a 1% grocery tax.
- Corn Cob - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 11:53 am:
What he said is absolutely true. The 1% tax is local despite City Zen’s clever wording.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 11:59 am:
“Her Republican opponent, Don Tracy, has used the emergence of progressive candidates like El-Sayed to try to paint Stratton as a supporter of socialism.”
The ILGOP-”We’ve cut this board three times, and it’s still too short.”
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 12:04 pm:
==”…an angry Darren Bailey, and that it’s going to be attack, attack, attack, attack, attack, and basically try to keep Pritzker from answering or saying anything.”==
I may be wrong about this, but I think voters are not impressed by a candidate who won’t let the other candidate speak. Of course, what else does Bailey have at this late stage?
- Steve - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 12:05 pm:
JB is bold talking about gas prices with Illinois’ high gas tax at the pump. I notice it every time I’m in Wisconsin. Hard not to notice.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 12:41 pm:
“JB is bold talking about gas prices with Illinois’ high gas tax at the pump.”
I was in Missouri Saturday, and gas was roughly forty cents less a gallon than Illinois, which means it was still four dollars there.
You keep believing that Illinois’ gas tax is a huge campaign cudgel for Bailey while the national average is still over four bucks.
That’s what my old man called swallow a camel and choke on a gnat.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 12:46 pm:
===basically try to keep Pritzker from answering or saying anything===
Might work in a debate that few watch, but Bailey is the one who’s been silenced by the self inflicted wound of not raising money.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 12:53 pm:
Bailey’s options are limited as he is not a skilled debater. Quick with a retort he is not.
Of course, Bailey will keep his attack through the debate as his skills are limited. Bailey’s long-winded pronouncements will not serve him at all during the debate process.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 12:53 pm:
Illinois only trails California by 3 cents a gallon at 70 cents
Federal, Chicago and Cook County raises that to over $1.
JB running on gas is too expensive will only work with the uniformed
- Save Ferris - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
“Bailey is the one who’s been silenced by the self inflicted wound of not raising money.”
Is he even producing ads?
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:19 pm:
Bailey sounds somewhat de-twanged…many days late and many dollars short.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:30 pm:
===JB running on gas is too expensive will only work with the uniformed ===
Polls show that actual informed voters understand that the real reason fuel prices are so high is because of the choice to attack and blockade Iran.
So, please, don’t insult my intelligence. Thanks.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:33 pm:
===Illinois only trails California by 3 cents a gallon at 70 cents ===
And if state/local taxes truly mattered, all the California Republicans gerrymandered into marginally Democratic districts would be far ahead right now.
They ain’t.
- Dotnonymous x - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:35 pm:
Angry. whiny, complainers like Bailey and his ilk produce nothing but hot air.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:44 pm:
“Trump has stolen $3,325 out of Illinois families’ pockets with his illegal tariffs, and he skyrocketed gas prices with his war in Iran, forcing Illinois residents to pay $2.56 billion more.”
If so many people weren’t hurt, it would be hilariously funny karma so to speak. All this time the ILGOP and right wing have been attacking Democrats and working people in unions on costs, but it’s their own MAGA absolutely whacking them. And that includes weak job growth. What ever happened to the free market party of personal responsibility and adults in the room to shut down tariffs and economic attacks on dear allies like Canada? Maybe pretend it’s poor people who may have more public aid than they paid for. /s
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:51 pm:
I am not the one insulting people’s intelligence by citing polls that say high local sales and property taxes don’t matter to voters.
So many polls were spectacularly wrong last election
Why do you think they are now reliable?
Do you think voters trust Democrats to advocate policies that lower gas prices?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:57 pm:
@Johnny B:
Keep on trying to tell voters they are wrong and see how that works out at the polls for you. Voters are blaming one person and one person only for the price of gas and he sits in the Oval Office. Right or wrong that’s just a fact. Republicans don’t appear to be getting the message on affordability issues. No amount of explaining by you or them will change voter’s minds.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:58 pm:
===So many polls were spectacularly wrong last election ===
And you are relying on what? Your own internal and out of step vibes? Look around you, bub.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 1:59 pm:
==Do you think voters trust Democrats to advocate policies that lower gas prices?==
If you’re so partisan and blind to recognize that starting a war in the Middle East isn’t the reason for high gas prices then you truly are in la la land. No matter what you may try to sell people aren’t buying it. But you keep trying to make that argument and see how the election works out for you.
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:00 pm:
Ads attacking Republican congressional candidates in several states focus on Trump, tariffs, and the cost of living. I’m curious about the level of coordination, and if JB has initiated the national messaging or is following others in the party.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:02 pm:
===congressional candidates in several states focus on Trump, tariffs, and the cost of living. I’m curious about the level of coordination,===
These attacks usually follow polling results which show whom voters blame. There’s no dark conspiracy. It’s exactly where the numbers are leading them.
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:08 pm:
Conspiracy isn’t the word that comes to mind; moreso a hope that he’s leading on messaging in the midterms. This kind of ad both focuses on the state and has resonance nationally, that is the kind of messaging I would want Democrats to use both in ‘26 and ‘28.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:08 pm:
Yes I know the higher gas prices are due to the war and are creating headwinds for the economy and consumers that are hopefully temporary
What you don’t acknowledge is high gas prices under Democrats are a feature not a bug - see California
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:21 pm:
===What you don’t acknowledge is high gas prices under Democrats are a feature not a bug - see California ===
My contention is that it won’t matter this November.
See California.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:26 pm:
==What you don’t acknowledge ==
It’s always the “whataboutism.” Your argument is a losing argument right now. Unfortunately for you and the Republicans you don’t get that.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:31 pm:
So maybe running ads on lowering gas prices and the grocery tax are also a waste of time because no one with a functioning noggin believes he will do either one
Governors don’t have any control over foreign policy or tariff policy
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:31 pm:
===Governors don’t have any control over foreign policy or tariff policy ===
You’re so close
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 2:59 pm:
==Governors don’t have any control over foreign policy or tariff policy==
Lol. Hence why Pritzker (and all Democrats) is targeting the President in his bid for reelection. Pritzker understands politics. You apparently don’t.
- Leslie K - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 3:27 pm:
Just got my first flood of Heitman/Shanahan ads. And the Stratton one. Which, I have to say, didn’t actually “leave the f-bombs behind her” (it’s on the t-shirt next to her).
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 4:03 pm:
=== Do you think voters trust Democrats to advocate policies that lower gas prices? ===
What I’ve tried explaining to folks on thos blog and elsewhere is that most elections fall pretty cleanly into either a “Change Election” or “Choice Election” which is driven largely by how the nation is doing economically and how voters are doing on a personal level.
“Change Elections” can be summarized as “Throw the bums out.”
“Choice Elections” are more like “Coke v Pepsi,” “Avis v Hertz”, or “Lyft v Uber.”
At the same time, which ever party is out of power want to try to convince voters to make it a “Change Election.” A referedum on the incumbent, and hopefully concluding with “Throw the bums out.”
Whichever party is in power wants to convince voters to make it a “Choice Election,” and that their party is the better choice.
Hypothetically, every election is a choice, but that’s not how voter psychology or mass psychology work. The analogy i use is from baseball: if the game is tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth inning because your starting pitcher gave up a lead off homerun, and he’s now walked the bases full, no manager is going to leave that pitcher in. You are going to the bullpen even if your starter pitched a perfect game for 8 innings, and even if your not sure if your bullpen is up to it. Because if you go to the bullpen, the runners on base are on your starting pitcher; but if you leave the starting pitcher in and he gives up a grand slam, that’s on you.
Any way, to the question, no it does not matter if Democrats have a better policy. Its a “Change Election” a gasoline is $5 a gallon, almost $7 for diesel.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Oct 13, 26 @ 4:16 pm:
=Governors don’t have any control over foreign policy or tariff policy=
Perhaps you didn’t get the memo. We’ve been instructed to pretend the President is on the ballot by the man himself.