Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Thursday, Feb 1, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

Two candidates trying to oust Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton were emerging Wednesday as leaders in the chase for campaign cash in the crowded Democratic primary field.

Though some candidates had yet to file their federal campaign finance reports in the hours before a midnight deadline, Kelly Mazeski of Barrington Hills, had more than $513,000 in her treasury as the year opened, and Sean Casten of Downers Grove had about $409,000. Neither Mazeski nor Casten has held elective office. She sits on the Barrington Hills Plan Commission. He is a scientist and clean-energy entrepreneur. […]

Mazeski has loaned her campaign $295,000 and Casten has loaned his effort $430,000, reports show. Including their own money, she led him in total campaign receipts so far, reporting about $688,000 to his $617,000. Casten started airing a TV ad after Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.

* Third District…

Congressional candidates filed their fourth quarter fundraising and spending reports today, giving us a first look at their financial status at the start of 2018.

The 3rd, 4th, and 6th Congressional Districts have raised particular interest from reporters and engaged voters across the country. In these top races, three Democratic challengers, Marie Newman, Sean Casten, and Kelly Mazeski, have contributed significant amounts to their own campaigns.

With this funding, Marie Newman was able to raise more than incumbent Congressman Dan Lipinski, with $262,092 to his $228,318. This was a major departure from the 3rd quarter of 2017, when Lipinski raised $1.5 million.

Lipinski had $1.6 million in the bank, however, compared to $237K for Newman.

* Fourth District…

The 4th District race hinges on a three-way primary between Democrats seeking to replace twelve-term Congressman Luis Gutierrez. Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia took a considerable fundraising lead, raising more than twice that of activist Sol Flores. The candidates raised $190,487 and $79,407 respectively in the 4th quarter of 2017. Garcia raised 140% more than Flores during that time period.

Garcia received just over 25% of his contributions from political committees, and was poised with $162,811 in cash on hand heading into 2018, compared to Flores’ $77,988. Alderman Ray Lopez and Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno recently dropped out of this race ahead of a candidate forum, after polling showed Garcia with a significant lead.

* From Democrat Brendan Kelly’s campaign manager in the 12th District race against Republican Mike Bost…

Hey Rich -

I know you’re probably getting swamped with digital ads AND I know we sent over our new ad earlier today - but I also wanted to highlight for you that we out-raised Bost again this quarter.

From our fundraising numbers yesterday - We raised $315,000 and have $520,000 cash on hand. Bost filed with $246,000 raised. So we out-raised him by about $70,000.

From my quick research - this is the first time in IL-12 that a challenger has had two back-to-back quarters over $300,000. Last quarter (Q3 - 2017) we raised over $355,000 and out-raised Bost by about $95,000.

Thanks,
Sam

* In the 13th District, Republican Rodney Davis raised $277K and had $1.1 million cash on hand. Among Democrats, Erik Jones raised $132K and had $238K in the bank. Betsy Londrigan raised $163K and ended with $238K. [These are updated totals.]

Jones’ campaign sent me this new ad today…

* Click here for more congressional filing reports. It’s a really good list. One highlight…

Wow.#IL08
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) (i)
Year-End 2017
01/31/18 15:20 (e)
Raised: $658,289.77
Spent: $198,303.68
CoH: $3,315,891.11
Debt: $0.00https://t.co/f87Bqg4RAm

— IL Election Data (@ILElectionData) January 31, 2018

That report sure makes it look like Raja is running for higher office.

* Related…

* Ad for Illinois congressional candidate Brendan Kelly puts opioids epidemic front and center

17 Comments

Rate Daiber’s first radio ad

Thursday, Feb 1, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Daiber campaign…

Rich,

Bob Daiber is advertising on the radio in Chicago on WCPT starting Monday — his first paid mass media of the campaign.

The spot is attached.

Direct mail and Downstate radio are still to come. Yard signs and door-to-door literature are under way.

WCPT 820 is known as “Chicago’s Progressive Talk.”

* Here’s the spot…

* Script…

I’m Bob Daiber. I’m a progressive Democrat in the race for governor. I am the only candidate who has laid out a progressive income tax model. I’m not afraid to take a bold stance on issues.

I’m for a minimum wage that’s a living wage. I’m pro-union, I’m for restoring funding for state universities. I care about the environment.

You don’t have to vote for a billionaire! I know you don’t want to. You have a choice, and I’m the progressive choice – Bob Daiber, Democrat for governor.

I’m Bob Daiber and I approved this message.

Bob reported having $11,329.31 in the bank at the end of 2017 and has reported no large contributions since then.

10 Comments

Your moment of Zen

Thursday, Feb 1, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Wow…

Bald Eagle majestically floats down the crystal-clear Mississippi River in Elsah, Illinois on a piece of ice. https://t.co/lemwT34XSF pic.twitter.com/EGMVpSPo48

— ABC News (@ABC) February 1, 2018

27 Comments

Rate Kwame Raoul’s first TV ad

Thursday, Feb 1, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Raoul’s AG Bid Takes Message to the Airwaves, touts latest congressional endorsement
First Raoul ad states he’s just getting started

CHICAGO – IL Sen. Kwame Raoul’s campaign for Illinois Attorney General debuted its first television ad of the campaign season today.

In the ad, entitled “Call on me,” Sen. Raoul chronicles what’s at stake in the race to replace Attorney General Lisa Madigan and why he’s ready and able to get the job done. The ad cites varying problems facing Illinoisans, how Sen. Raoul has stepped up to confront them during his career in public service and his desire to continue his advocacy as the people’s attorney. […]

Raoul also announced the endorsement of Congressman Danny Davis today.

“This ad is a testament to Kwame’s ability to win on behalf of victims and our communities,” Congressman Danny Davis said. “With so much on the line for families and neighborhoods across the state, we need an attorney general who is ready, willing and able to get the job done,” Congressman Danny Davis said.

The Raoul campaign also enjoys the support of Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

“Since filling President Obama’s seat in the state senate, Kwame has fought tirelessly to pass laws to keep us safe and reform our criminal justice system. Kwame’s work has led to laws which modernize our juvenile justice system, place tougher accountability measures on police, strengthen the state’s gun laws and prioritize prosecuting violent criminals instead of locking up low-level non-violent offenders,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly about the ad.

The ad will air on broadcast and digital platforms.

Kwame Raoul was born on the South Side of Chicago to Haitian-born immigrants. As a lifelong resident of Illinois, Kwame is committed to safe neighborhoods. In 2004, Kwame was appointed to fill the vacancy left in the 13th Legislative District by former State Senator Barack Obama’s election to the U.S. Senate. Kwame quickly gained the confidence of leaders to handle difficult negotiations and landmark legislation including the abolition of the death penalty, expanding access to healthcare and the strongest voting rights protections in the country.

To date, his attorney general bid has been endorsed by organized labor organizations including Illinois AFL-CIO and the Chicago Teachers Union. His campaign has also received the support of local Democratic activists across the state representing Cook, Kankakee, Madison and St. Clair counties.

* Rate it…

* Transcript of Raoul’s narration…

Crime.
Gun violence.
Whole communities left behind.
As a prosecutor, I saw the pain it causes.
When Barack Obama was called up to the U.S. Senate, I was called upon to fill his seat.
So I did what I knew: protect people and their rights, reform the criminal justice system to keep people safe and crack down on online predators who prey on our children.
This is the work of my life…and I’m just getting started.

35 Comments

Pritzker airs ad attacking Biss on pensions

Thursday, Feb 1, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As I told subscribers last night, JB Pritzker is airing a new 15-second TV ad whacking Sen. Daniel Biss on the pension issue. The spot was running in heavy rotation this morning on Chicago broadcast. Here it is…

There’s more info at a new website the Pritzker campaign created. Click here.

* From Galia Slayen at the Pritzker campaign…

Our campaign is energized by the incredible support JB is receiving as he travels across the state and from our recent polling, we are confident that JB’s message of beating Bruce Rauner and bringing real change to Illinois is resonating with voters.

Last week, Dan Biss began running ads attacking both JB and Chris Kennedy, becoming the first Democrat to attack in the Democratic primary. Simply put, Biss’ rhetoric in this campaign and record in Springfield don’t match up. Voters deserve to know the facts as we get closer to Election Day.

* From the Biss campaign…

Today, JB Pritzker released his first attack ad against Daniel Biss. The ad comes just a day after the latest We Ask America poll showed Pritzker plummeting 9 points since October—despite spending $21 million on his campaign in the same time frame— while Biss moved to second place in the poll, gaining 11 points.

“The more voters see that Daniel Biss can relate to the challenges and hopes of a middle class family, the more our poll numbers surge. The more they learn about JB Pritzker’s billionaire tax scams, the more his plummet,” said Biss campaign manager Abby Witt.

“So, it’s not surprising that JB, scared of a middle class candidate, is pulling a page out of the billionaire playbook with an attack ad that distracts from his own history. As a legislator, Daniel has passed laws to support middle-class and working families, and he’s been honest about his record on pensions. Here’s what JB Pritzker is not telling you: he lobbied for the exact same bill he’s attacking Daniel for, even cutting a check for tens of thousands to fund a PAC created just to pass the bill. He’s trying to hide that—just as he’s done with his tax returns and offshore accounts.

“But no matter how much money he throws on TV, what JB Pritzker can’t hide from is that the choice in this election is between another billionaire and middle class progressive that will make billionaires pay their fair share.”

Pritzker did indeed help fund that PAC, and Sen. Biss received two contributions from it.

* Also, if you actually watch this video, Pritzker didn’t make any “pledge” to stay positive. He said he had run a positive campaign and urged all the candidates to talk about issues and not attack each other. But, whatevs…

Biss reminds Pritzker just Tuesday night he pledged to stay positive, but now Biss says JB releases new negative ad targeting Biss @JBPritzker @DanielBissforIL #ILGov https://t.co/iUprVfRenp

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) February 1, 2018

* Transcript…

Well let me begin by saying to all of you that I have run a positive- I think many of you have seen the ads that I have run, or have heard me speak. I have not spoken ill of my opponents. They have attacked me on occasion and I’ve had to defend myself, but I must say that I think that we should be talking about the issues that are important to the people of Illinois, not attacking each other as Democrats. We should be pulling together to beat Bruce Rauner.

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