* Wednesday, the Rauner campaign released a video featuring JB Pritzker’s Democratic primary opponents trashing him. Today…
Today, the JB Pritzker campaign released a new video, “In Ives’ Own Words.” The video highlights Bruce Rauner’s primary election opponent, Jeanne Ives, holding him accountable for his failures as governor.
“Jeanne Ives and 48% of Bruce Rauner’s own party know he has been a failure as governor, accomplishing nothing and causing real pain across the state,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “As Ives said, Bruce Rauner has ‘lied to everybody about everything’ and Illinois families are ready for change.”
I think I like the Rauner spot better (mainly because Kennedy and Biss were better speakers than Ives).
*** UPDATE *** DGA…
Governor Bruce Rauner barely survived a tough primary battle against state Representative Jeanne Ives and is in need of her political endorsement and support. But it’s pretty clear he’s not getting it yet – Rauner has not spoken with her since the election, and Ives has blasted the wounded incumbent governor in public.
Yesterday was not any better for Rauner. Asked again if he had spoken with Ives, Rauner said no. And Ives told the Daily Herald she’s still withholding her endorsement.
“Bruce Rauner desperately needs Jeanne Ives’ support, but their GOP family feud does not look like its ending any time soon,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Hundreds of thousands of Illinois Republicans showed their disappointment with Rauner’s failed leadership this week – and he still can’t pick up the phone.”
The most mendacious thing said in a campaign filled with mendacity came last night when Bruce Rauner said: “I am honored and humbled by this victory.”
He should be humbled – he should’ve lost. Honor? Calling Jeanne Ives “Madigan’s favorite Republican” may have swayed enough people to put him over the top, but the smell it leaves behind is the smell of mendacity, and it will carry through to November.
A friend of mine observed early on that Bruce Rauner looks at the members of the General Assembly, especially the Republican members, as employees at a company he just bought that he wouldn’t have hired had he been in a position to do so in the first place. That pretty much sums it up.
So Governor, now that we’re stuck with you, here’s a little bit of advice. You need us more than we need you. The only way you can win in November is if Republican House candidates drag you across the finish line. But for that to happen, you’re going to have to check your ego at the door and accept the General Assembly as a co-equal branch of government and admit that we don’t work for you.
The campaign worker who disrupted House Speaker Michael Madigan’s political operations with sexual harassment allegations against a top lieutenant filed a federal lawsuit late Wednesday afternoon, saying her decision to report the behavior cost her a chance to advance in his organization.
Alaina Hampton, who first told the Tribune last month of receiving inappropriate texts from Madigan aide Kevin Quinn, contends in the lawsuit that her effort to stop his unwanted advances effectively prevented her from getting further work on Democratic campaigns.
Hampton sued the Democratic Party of Illinois, which Madigan chairs, and his political fund, Friends of Michael J. Madigan, alleging retaliation for “asserting her rights to be free from unlawful harassment and a sexually hostile work environment by failing to hire her to work as a political consultant for the 2018 campaign cycle.”
The lawsuit seeks $350,000, in addition to attorney’s fees.
The Madigan Defendants retaliated against Ms. Hampton for asserting her rights to be free from unlawful harassment and a sexually hostile work environment by, among other ways, failing to hire her to work as a political consultant for the 2018 campaign cycle.
The Madigan Defendants had no legitimate reason for failing to hire and/or allow Ms. Hampton to work as a political staffer and/or campaign manager and the stated reasons for their employment actions were pretexts to hide unlawful employment actions as alleged below. […]
As a result of the Madigan Defendants’ discriminatory and retaliatory conduct, Ms. Hampton has suffered injury to her career as well as other injuries for which she is entitled to actual, compensatory and punitive damages, as well as equitable relief pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964
* Some tweets from today’s presser…
Alaina Hampton formally filed lawsuit seeking damages against Madigan and co. “The primary goal of this lawsuit is to get relief for what she sought,” Atty says. “But these lawsuits can help more women to come forward.” pic.twitter.com/KjdMcFnhqe
Alaina Hampton was asked whether Madigan's political organization not hiring her back had anything to do with her working for Marie Newman — whom they were working against. Hampton lawyer won't comment: "I think that'll be the subject of this lawsuit."
Former Madigan aide Alaina Hampton addressing media about federal lawsuit against Democratic Party and Madigan’s campaign; they want to know “when they knew what they knew.” pic.twitter.com/BEy6yv3aCh
"Not only did the defendants fail to respond to my complaints abt sexual harassment, they retaliated against me for it. I was forced to leave a job I love derailing my career path - Alaina Hampton files suit against Madigan's political operations @wlsam890pic.twitter.com/HaSp29XxAe
Madigan’s attorney said last month there was an internal investigation. Kulwin said he wants proof.
“Let’s see it,” [Hampton’s attorney Shelly Kulwin] said. “What was this internal investigation that led you to conclude that everything was OK or not OK? What was your response to the investigation? Who participated in this investigation? Who was interviewed in this investigation? Because to our knowledge the investigation was a 40-minute chat in a Starbucks.”
While it’s not part of the lawsuit yet, Kulwin said the legal team is aware of people trying to dig up dirt on Hampton.
“There were questions raised about phone calls being made trying to dig up dirt on Alaina,” Kulwin said. “They were calling her male colleagues and asking what type of bars she goes to, who does she know, who does she have a relationship with. Outrageous stuff.”
The attorney said he plans to investigate those issues further.
“I can’t say it was directed by anybody yet,” Kulwin said. “I can’t say it was sponsored by anybody yet. We don’t know that at this time and I’m not saying that. We just know it happened and we know who did it, we believe, and we’re going to look into that during our case.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** ILGOP…
Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune reported that former Madigan campaign worker Alaina Hampton filed a federal lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Illinois and Friends of Michael J. Madigan, political committees chaired by House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Hampton is suing for damages because she was prevented from doing future political work for Madigan after she blew the whistle on sexual harassment within Madigan’s political organizations.
J.B. Pritzker, Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor, has said he “believes” women when it comes to telling their stories on being victims of sexual harassment and abuse, but he doesn’t really mean it.
Now that Hampton has filed suit against Madigan, Pritzker faces yet another stark choice between his political patron and the people of Illinois. Will Pritzker side with the plaintiff, Alaina Hampton, or the defendant, Mike Madigan.
Make no mistake - J.B. Pritzker is part and parcel of Mike Madigan’s political machine, and his continued silence makes him complicit in Madigan’s corruption. Pritzker has already made his position known.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Madigan’s office…
“The pleading is being reviewed by counsel. However, I can assure you that the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Friends of MJM have not retaliated against Ms. Hampton in any way,” said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown.
Four out of the five Republican state lawmakers targeted for defeat by conservative radio talk show host Dan Proft survived their primary election challenges on Tuesday, with House GOP leader Jim Durkin saying he doesn’t “think the voters are necessarily supportive of extremes.”
Proft’s chosen candidates, though, did win primaries in several districts where sitting lawmakers didn’t run for re-election, and his political action committee scored a victory by defeating state Rep. David Reis of Downstate Willow Hill. Reis was one of several Republican lawmakers who sided with Democrats to initially vote in favor of last summer’s income tax hike. […]
A Proft bid to defeat Durkin also came up short. The Western Springs Republican overcame a rare primary challenge, which stemmed from last year’s showdown over the tax and budget package. Durkin voted against the measures, but Proft questioned his leadership after the party didn’t remain united against the tax hike in a chamber controlled by powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is also head of the Democratic Party of Illinois. […]
Among Proft’s successes on Tuesday: Former state Rep. Dwight Kay won his primary after receiving more than $173,000 [ADDED: Liberty Principles PAC only spent $33,955 on this race] from Liberty Principles. He’s seeking to reclaim the seat he lost in 2016 to Rep. Katie Stuart, a Democrat from Edwardsville. The committee also helped DuPage County Board member Tonia Khouri to victory, and Schaumburg Township Library District Trustee Jillian Rose Bernas was assisted by at least $186,000.
Bernas faced Charlotte Kegarise, who was backed by Durkin’s House Republican Organization. Bernas will now face Democratic state Rep. Michelle Mussman in the November election. Republicans sought to play down the loss on Wednesday, saying it’ll be a difficult seat for the GOP to win.
I told subscribers after Rauner signed HB40 that Dwight Kay was probably gonna win, and one of his campaign people called me Tuesday night to explicitly say that Proft should not get credit for the victory. Take that for whatever you will. Kegarise was outspent 2-1. Khouri ran a real campaign outside of the money she received and had run for Congress in 2016, so she had some name ID.
Eddie Corrigan defeated 53rd state House District opponent Katie Miller Tuesday in what became a bitter Northwest suburban Republican primary contest.
With 73 of 75 precincts reporting, Corrigan had 5,612 votes and Miller had 3,489, according to unofficial totals. […]
Corrigan, an Arlington Heights resident and outreach coordinator for U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, was backed by the House Republican Organization, while Miller, a registered nurse from Mount Prospect, was endorsed by conservative talk show host Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC. Proft’s group sent pro-Miller campaign mailers featuring photos of Corrigan in college doing keg stands and labeling him a “punk party boy.”
Dan Caulkins of Decatur held a solid lead late Tuesday night in the three-way race for the Republican nomination in the 101st House District. […]
With 97 percent of the vote in, Caulkins had 5,937 votes to 5,205 for Randy Keith of rural Monticello and 2,470 for Todd Henricks of Cerro Gordo. It amounted to about a 5-percentage-point lead. […]
Caulkins raised more than $100,000 for his campaign fund, including $35,000 in loans he made to the campaign in the week before the election.
But the biggest boost for the 71-year-old Decatur businessman was the more than $135,000 in uncoordinated assistance he got from Chicago radio host and political consultant Dan Proft. Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC provided more than $25,000 in television advertising for Caulkins in the last week of the campaign.
State Representative Robert Martwick (D-19) was one of the big winners in the March 20 primary election […]
Martwick faced a challenge from Chicago police officer Jeff La Porte. Martwick received about 66 percent of the vote in the district’s 78 Chicago precincts and about 71 percent in the eight suburban precincts compared to 34 percent and 29 percent, respectively, for La Porte. […]
Martwick’s campaign, including mailers, focused on claims that La Porte was being backed by Republicans. Records show that La Porte received an $11,000 donation from the Illinois Opportunity Project, a conservative advocacy group that counts amongst its senior fellows Dan Proft, who chairs Liberty Principles PAC.
La Porte sent out a whole lot of mailers and only reported $11K in contributions. I’m thinking there’s probably more out there.
* Proft’s own scorecard…
Since orgs with which I'm affiliated like @ILOpportunity and Liberty Principles PAC are and will continue to be maligned by the Rauner GOP, the record yesterday and the quality of conservative candidates provided support even in defeat. pic.twitter.com/QO2Kstp2bO
* I was tearing my hair out Tuesday night when my site went down. Hopefully, the problem has now been fixed. From my Springfield-based hosting service, which also helps with site maintenance…
[Tuesday], the biggest bottleneck was MySQL using CPU. It is due to the way your old version of WordPress works. It has to search through every post you have ever made to query what to display on the front page. Since your server is very large this works fine for medium levels of traffic. When you see a spike, it would get behind. At around 10:20pm [Tuesday] night, we were able to optimize the MySQL cache to greatly alleviate this issue. We saw the MySQL process go from using 90% of your CPU resources to no longer even being the number 1 user and let your Apache processes complete on time.
I know that is a bit technical but we used the onset of high utilization to find issues that are hidden at regular loads and correct them for better performance. This along with assigning more resources ahead of time should keep your site working well for November.
However, because they optimized the MySQL cache, you may have to refresh your page when you visit. Something’s gotta change.
All I know is, I can’t go through yet another early Tuesday night ever again. Too much stress. The ol’ blog is in dire need of an update. Yeah, I know, the last redo was a disaster. But something has to be done.
* The Question: Your suggestions for a newly revamped CapitolFax.com?
*** UPDATE *** Some of you have reported problems with commenting. That should now be fixed, unless, of course, you’re in automated moderation.
The whopping $66 million spent on ads in the Democratic and Republican primaries for Illinois governor made it the most expensive non-presidential primary of all time, according to the ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics.
And because of the winners last night — incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner (who spent more than $16 million over the airwaves) and Democrat J.B. Pritzker (who spent more than $33 million on ads) — the general election is likely destined to be the most expensive gubernatorial contest in history.
Advertising Analytics projects total spending could exceed $150 million.
…Adding… The Illinois Chamber’s Independent Expenditure PAC has reported spending $183,783.19 on former Rep. Ken Dunkin’s primary race. Dunkin came in third out of four with 18 percent, receiving 3,097 votes. That works out to $59.24 per vote.
* I’m getting a ton of post-election press releases and some of them are good, but not really enough to put into a post of their own, so I figured a Scribble Live thingamabob would do the trick…
* The Rauner campaign launched an online ad this morning and JB Pritzker is following suit. We’ll see how long this takes to escalate into network broadcast TV…
Following a decisive primary election victory, the Pritzker campaign released its first general election ad, “Four Years of Failure.” The new ad highlights Bruce Rauner’s four years of damage, crisis, and pain as the worst governor in America failed to take charge of Illinois.
“As we enter the general election, it’s important that Illinoisans understand the true damage Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership has done across our state. From unleashing a 736-day budget crisis on Illinois, to slashing funding for social services and letting a Legionnaires outbreak spiral out of control, Bruce Rauner is a failure,” said JB Pritzker. “For four years, this governor lurched our state from crisis to crisis, doing irrevocable damage to Illinois while claiming he’s not in charge. Bruce Rauner caused real pain to children and families across this state and it’s time to turn the page. I’m running on a record of bringing people together to get big things done with real plans to put our state back on the side of working families. Together, I know we can defeat Bruce Rauner, bring real change to Springfield, and move Illinois forward.”
Voiceover: A tumultuous first term for Governor Rauner
[ON SCREEN: 700 DAYS WITHOUT BUDGET] Anchor 1: 700 Days without a budget.
[ON SCREEN: BACK PORCH MEETINGS] Anchor 2: Meetings about private investments at the executive mansion.
[ON SCREEN: SOCIAL SERVICES SLASHED] Anchor 3: Unpaid bills have forced social services for the most vulnerable to be slashed [ON SCREEN: BILLION TAX DOLLARS WASTED] Anchor 4: A billion tax dollars wasted
[ON SCREEN: LEGIONNAIRES’ OUTBREAK] Anchor 4: Fatal outbreak of Legionnaires disease.
[ON SCREEN: LOWEST CREDIT RATING] Anchor 5: The lowest credit rating of any state in American history
Bruce Rauner: “I am not in charge, I’m trying to get to be in charge ”
Anchor 6: Governor Bruce Rauner has been named the worst governor in America
* Meanwhile…
Today, the JB Pritzker campaign launched “Rauner Failed Me,” a multimedia campaign highlighting the real people that have been hurt because of Bruce Rauner’s failure as governor.
Five people from across Illinois will introduce the campaign by sharing their personal stories about how Bruce Rauner has hurt children, immigrants, students, veterans and workers in every corner of the state. The Pritzker campaign will highlight their stories and more on a new website, RaunerFailedMe.com, to bring into focus the human impact of Bruce Rauner’s gross mismanagement of state government.
“While Bruce Rauner forced a 736-day budget crisis on Illinois and wiped his hands of responsibility, real people across the state suffered the consequences,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “Illinoisans young and old, working families downstate and in Chicago, our middle class and those striving to get there all paid the price because Bruce Rauner failed. The Pritzker campaign is committed to sharing the stories of those who have been hurt by Bruce Rauner and bringing people together to hold him accountable.”
* We’ll know the actual spending when the D-2s are filed next month, so this is just money raised by the campaigns. They could very well have money left over. From the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform…
In the Governor’s race, victor JB Pritzker (D) raised $124 per vote, and Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) raised an astonishing $215 per vote. In contrast, GOP challenger Jeanne Ives raised just $12 per vote, and received about 48% of the overall vote share in the Republican Primary race.
Amounts raised by winners of the Attorney General race paled in comparison, with Sen. Kwame Raoul (D) raising $8 per vote, and Erika Harold (R) raising just $2 per vote. Democratic Challenger Scott Drury raised the highest ratio in that race with $21 per vote. This was mostly due to a $1 million contribution he received from private funder Steven Miller.
Illinois Legislative Races
A few political newcomers pulled surprising upsets last night, showing that the most monied candidate is not always the victor. Aaron Ortiz, an educator, defeated Dan Burke, a 27-year state legislator and brother of prominent Chicago Alderman Ed Burke, to earn the Democratic nomination in the 1st State House district. Ortiz raised just $35 per vote to Burke’s $140. In the 8th State Senate District, Ram Villivalam defeated embattled State Senator Ira Silverstein for the Democratic nomination. While Silverstein had Senate establishment support, Villivalam still raised $25 per vote to Silverstein’s $38.
Other surprise upsets included self-funded candidate Fritz Kaegi declaring victory over Cook County Democratic Party Chair Joe Berrios in the race for Cook County Assessor. The two raised similar amounts of money, but Berrios relied heavily on property tax appeals lawyers and local party funds. In the hotly contested Illinois 3rd Congressional District, Democratic challenger Marie Newman was unable to best incumbent Dan Lipinski, even though Newman showed strong fundraising throughout the campaign. The two raised $73 and $68 per vote respectively.
* Press release from Democratic congressional nominee Sean Casten, who won a narrow victory last night against six opponents…
From the day I first entered this race, I have been constantly inspired by the many Democrats who are committing their time and their talents to returning this congressional seat to the people of the 6th district. Today, I am deeply honored that the voters have chosen me to serve as their nominee to challenge Peter Roskam. Together, we can help to bring a Democratic majority back to the U.S. House of Representatives and halt Donald Trump’s assault on our democracy.
This has been a challenging and well-fought race. I want to thank all of my friends and supporters who have worked so hard on our campaign, every step of the way. I especially want to express my gratitude and my love to my family: My wife, Kara, and our daughters, along with my parents and my sister and brother. This victory would not have been possible without their unfailing support and encouragement.
Primary races are never easy. This race drew an exceptionally strong field of candidates, and I know this may be a tough morning for some of their supporters. But our shared goal remains unchanged: We need to work together tirelessly to reach every voter in the 6th district and let them know that Peter Roskam is a right-wing extremist whose voting record shows that he has turned his back on his constituents and our communities.
We have a long road ahead of us. But together, I know we can defeat Peter Roskam. I look forward to serving the people of the 6th district as your elected member of Congress, and I promise to stand up to the Trump administration and bring fact-based public policy back to Washington.
* NRCC…
“Sean Casten has a nearly impossible battle ahead of him – not only does he need to overcome Peter Roskam’s incredible cash advantage, he also needs to explain to voters why he wants to both repeal their tax cuts and also put the government in control of their health care – making Illinoisans foot the bill. We look forward to watching Peter Roskam soundly defeat him in November.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Maddie Anderson
…Adding… Press release…
Representative Peter Roskam (IL-06) released the following statement calling on Democrat opponent, Sean Casten, to debate him on the issues that matter to the residents of the Sixth District:
“I am calling on Sean Casten to join me in a series of debates.
“Our country faces great challenges, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the issues and offer solutions to solve those challenges.
“I believe it is of the utmost importance that these debates should be broadcast far and wide to ensure every voter in the 6th can analyze the candidates and make an informed decision about who is best prepared to represent them in Congress. I look forward to sharing my views on how to address these challenges, as well as discussing my accomplishments in Congress.”
Roskam has agreed to participate in a televised debate hosted by WTTW public television, an editorial board debate with the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald, and a debate with WGN AM radio. These forums provide the broadest access for voters to hear about the issues that matter most to the Sixth District.
In Their Own Words: Rauner Campaign Releases New Ad of Kennedy and Biss Criticizing Pritzker
With the general election officially beginning, the Rauner campaign has released a new ad that makes it clear JB Pritzker is a self-dealing insider who will do the bidding of Mike Madigan — according to leading Illinois Democrats. The ad uses direct quotes from Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss calling out JB Pritzker as an insider who is part of the corrupt system in this state.
Direct quotes featured in the ad:
Democrat Daniel Biss: JB Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate. Everyone knows it. It’s clear. And if the Democratic Party wants to nominate Mike Madigan’s candidate, they should nominate JB Pritzker.
Democrat Chris Kennedy: I think JB Pritzker’s emerged as the posterchild for pay-to-play politics in this state.
Democrat Daniel Biss: It took JB Pritzker a week to get permission from Mike Madigan to even name him in talking about the sexual harassment coverup.
Democrat Chris Kennedy: Pritzker’s really there to protect the status quo.
Democrat Daniel Biss: JB Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate.
