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Illinois Policy Institute’s Lucci, Scott Walker’s Patrick hired by Rauner

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I told subscribers about these developments earlier today. This evening, Mary Ann Ahern published the full memo sent out today by Gov. Rauner’s new chief of staff Kristina Rasmussen…

Good morning, everyone!

Thank you for welcoming me to the team yesterday. I’m honored to join you as we position Illinois to become the most prosperous, compassionate, and free state in the nation.

As we discussed, there are four critical areas I’d like you to focus on in the coming month.

1. Please share with me your best ideas for transforming Illinois through better public policy and improved operations by Friday at 3:00 p.m. I follow the approach of Completed Staff Work; this will give you guidance on how to present your ideas.
2. We’re going to share incredible stories of the men, women, and children who deserve a revitalized Illinois. More information will follow, but here’s a good overview of where we are headed.
3. I’m looking for your excellence. How can you approach an aspect of your work in a new and better way today?
4. Mutual respect paired with radical candor will make this an even greater place to work.

I would like to announce two staff members joining us today:

Michael Lucci as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy (Chicago)
Laurel Patrick, Director of Communications (Chicago)

Tomorrow we’ll welcome Jean Hutton as my Special Assistant.

My commitment to you is to share an updated organizational chart soon so you have clarity on where changes are happening.

Again, thank you for the warm welcome

~KR

* Lucci, of course, is the Vice President of Policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, and will now be Gov. Rauner’s policy director. Read more about Lucci by clicking here. He’s also an occasional commenter on this blog.

Laurel Patrick was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s spokesperson before eventually moving to the economic-right Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. Patrick replaced Brad Hahn, who was let go today. This is how Patrick describes herself on Linkedin…

Dynamic strategic communications and public relations professional with expertise in crafting messaging for high-profile elected officials and state agencies for political, legislative, and policy purposes.

Serve as an articulate spokesperson with extensive experience in media relations, message development, crisis communications, and team management. Skilled at creating communication teams, strategic plans, and building successful coalitions and partnerships with stakeholders, donors, and media partners to an organization’s mission and goals.

And Jean Hutton, Rasmussen’s new “special assistant,” is the Illinois Policy Institute’s Director of Operations. Click here for her background.

* Staff also received these three links this morning via that e-mail…

* Radical Candor — The Surprising Secret to Being a Good Boss

* SCARF: a brain-based model for collaborating with and influencing others

* The Doctrine of Completed Staff Work

* The JB Pritzker campaign’s response…

“The extreme right is taking over the governor’s office and Bruce Rauner is building a team to pursue a scorched earth policy in Illinois,” said Jordan Abudayyeh. “Rauner’s new radical right wing hires will destroy social services, attack working families, and tank the Illinois economy until they either get their way or drive this state into the ground.”

…Adding… “Could.” Right…

* Tribune: Rauner staff changes could signal a sharper tone

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*** UPDATED x1 - CK out *** Hahn out, more to come

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Subscribers know more, but, yeah, from what I’m gathering morale ain’t all that high…

The shakeup in Governor Bruce Rauner’s office continues as NBC 5 has learned Brad Hahn was fired Tuesday morning.

Hahn had served as deputy chief of staff for public engagement and communications director. He has been a longtime GOP staffer, working for both Comptroller Judy Barr Topinka and Leslie Munger.

When Hahn was hired last year, he was part of the 23 people who worked for Munger and were then hired by the Rauner administration when Munger lost her bid for re-election.

Insiders said the morale inside the Rauner office and campaign is very low among those who do not agree with the governor’s decision to shift his strategy to a more conservative tone.

Brad was top notch, but he never really fit in with the governor’s style. And now that Rauner’s office is becoming an adjunct of the Illinois Policy Institute, he’s probably much better off.

*** UPDATE *** Rauner spokesperson Catherine Kelly was just fired. What’s so unreal about this is that CK was a loyal Raunerite. She busted her tail for the governor.

CK was expected to be leaving perhaps as early as next month anyway because her husband has a job in another state. But this action today was unexpected.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** More on that Kennedy poll

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Chris Kennedy campaign just finished a call-in for political reporters about its latest poll. As we’ve already discussed, Kennedy’s poll has the candidate ahead of JB Pritzker 44-38. Here are a few notes…

* 45-5 positive/negative for Kennedy.

46-12 positive/negative for Pritzker.

Pawar and Biss are in “low single digits.”

In a December poll, Kennedy was leading Pritzker 34-18.

* 3 of 5 voters know both of the candidates. 80 percent know Pritzker. 70 percent know Kennedy. Among the “know both” it’s 49-37 for Kennedy.

After 4 pro-Kennedy statements were read, Kennedy’s lead went to 66-20.

* They mentioned two big problems for Pritzker in the polling. The FBI tapes of Pritzker talking to Blagojevich, for example, led to 55 percent of respondents saying they have “major doubts about supporting JB Pritzker.” That number was 60 percent on Pritzker’s property tax issues.

By contrast, the top testing negative on Kennedy was 21 percent: “He talks tough on property taxes but benefited” from property tax breaks.

A property tax issue polls worse than an FBI tapes issue. Think about that for a second. People are up in arms about property taxes, man.

* Consultant Eric Adelstein repeatedly said during the briefing that the campaign is confident that it will have the resources to get its message out and compete.

*** UPDATE *** Yesterday was the A-1 filing deadline day, and Kennedy reported a mere $438,834.92 in large contributions. That’s not good at all. [For some reason, my previous search included stuff that shouldn’t have been in there. This is a revised post.] He had $907K on hand at the beginning of the last quarter. We’ll see what their burn rate is by July 17th, when D-2s are due.

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Protected: *** UPDATED x1 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Staff shakeup continues

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

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*** UPDATED x2 *** Kennedy’s latest poll has him holding at 44 percent

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

In a Garin-Hart-Yang survey conducted June 26- 29, Chris Kennedy maintained a strong lead over billionaire J.B. Pritzker, despite Pritzker spending over $8 million on a television and direct mail blitz, nearly 10 months out from the Democratic primary. Kennedy led Pritzker 44% to 38% in the trial heat. Among voters that knew both candidates, Kennedy held a larger lead 49% to 37% in the trial heat, suggesting that Kennedy has room to grow as more voters hear his message.

“Democratic primary voters want radical change in Springfield, and they aren’t falling in love with Pritzker’s big wallet,” Brendan O’Sullivan campaign manager said. “Big money talks, it doesn’t listen, and voters are tired of billionaires in both parties trying to buy their votes. It’s why Chris has maintained a strong lead even in the face of record spending against him. Voters are respond to Chris’ message of being independent of the party machine, fighting for real reforms to make Springfield work for Illinois families, and restoring the promise of the American Dream for everyone in the state.”

OK, but Kurt Summers’ poll taken in early March had Kennedy at the very same 44 percent. Pritzker was polling at just 11 percent, so he’s more than tripled his support since then. It’s cost him a pretty penny to do that, but money is apparently no object. And keep in mind that Pritzker has not run any ads against Kennedy, which could be coming.

* And we’ll see what Kennedy’s quarterly fundraising reports show. Sen. Daniel Biss may be hard to top…

We have a first look at gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss’ second quarter numbers; the Democrat says he’s preparing to report more than $1 million raised between April and June. The Biss campaign believes that will place him right up with Chris Kennedy (perhaps even surpassing Kennedy?) for second-quarter fundraising.

Breaking it down: Biss’ camp is basing this on the large-dollar contributions they’ve received. Biss’ campaign says so far he’s in the lead with an expected $560,000 raised. The largest donation, according to Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, is $100,000 from the Senate Democratic Victory Fund. A statement from the group said Biss had donated that amount to the fund last November and that it is not endorsing.

Kennedy, as of Sunday, had roughly $400,000 in large-dollar contributions and Pawar had $79,000. Of course, billionaire J.B. Pritzker far outpaces the Democratic field because he is self-funding. He has given $14 million to his own campaign thus far.

Totals: “Biss now sits with over $2.3 million cash on hand,” a release from his campaign states. “The second quarter haul came from more than 2,700 donors representing over 230 cities and towns across Illinois. Two-thirds of Biss’s Q2 donations were for under $100, and 95% of them came from in-state.” Full second-quarter filings are due July 17.

*** UPDATE 1 *** On background, I’m told by the Kennedy folks that the poll “is not good for JB.” Pritzker, they say, has a “low ceiling” and “explosive negatives. The electorate, they claim, “wants to go with Kennedy by every measure.”

They’re having a press briefing at 1:30, so we’ll know more then.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Pritzker campaign…

“It’s exciting to see Chris Kennedy’s own internal polling numbers confirming the surging support and enthusiasm that JB has been feeling around the state,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “A 27-point polling jump in three months would be exciting for any campaign, but it’s particularly encouraging given the strong recognition of the Kennedy name. JB is proud to be growing his support with Illinois’ working families and grateful to Chris Kennedy for letting people know.”

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Rep. Andersson ousted from House GOP Floor Leader slot

Monday, Jul 10, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Comments are now open on this post.]

* From a memo just sent out by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin…

Following the conclusion of the spring and early summer legislative session, I decided that it would be in the best interest of the Republican Caucus to go in a new direction with the position of our Floor Leader. This afternoon, I asked Representative Andersson to step down from the position. He agreed, stating he also believed it would be in the best interest of the caucus. I hope to make an announcement on a new Floor Leader in the coming weeks.

Andersson, of course, was one of the House Republicans who voted for the tax hike/budget bills and in favor of overriding the governor’s vetoes. He was also “whipping” HGOP votes in favor of both sets of roll calls.

65 Comments

*** UPDATED x9 *** Illinois Policy Institute President picked as Rauner’s new chief of staff

Monday, Jul 10, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Comments are now open on this post.]

* Welcome to the new world. Dan Proft had an on-air scoop this morning that Richard Goldberg is out as Gov. Rauner’s chief of staff and is being replaced with Illinois Policy Institute President Kristina Rasmussen, and then one of Proft’s newspapers picked it up…

Dan Proft, principal of Local Government Information Services (LGIS), which publishes the Sangamon Sun, first reported the story on his morning radio show on Chicago’s AM 560.

Rasmussen, 34, of Springfield, has been with IPI since 2009. She was elevated to President and COO in 2015.

Goldberg, 33, of Skokie, joined Rauner’s staff in Jan. 2015. He became Chief of Staff in Jan 2016.

Unlike Richard, she has a very pleasant public personality, but is a true believer who will fit right in with the governor’s Randian ideology. We are heading for an even sharper turn right in the wake of four bipartisan veto overrides in a week (three on the budget and one on the 911 bill).

Ain’t gonna be any more deals.

* The Democratic Governors Association is already out with a press release…

ICYMI: Rauner’s New Chief of Staff Slams Governor for Supporting Tax Increase

Today, Kristina Rasmussen was announced as Bruce Rauner’s new Chief of Staff. Rasmussen was recently the President and COO of the Illinois Policy Institute.

Below is the last article she wrote at IPI [in June].

TAX HIKE BUDGET IS POLITICALLY RISKY FOR RAUNER, ILLINOIS REPUBLICANS

By Kristina Rasmussen, June 29th, 2017

A new poll shows Gov. Bruce Rauner’s political base opposes the tax hike budget proposal the governor has supported. And Illinoisans who favor the tax hike budget proposal do not support Rauner.

The political calculation behind Gov. Bruce Rauner’s embrace of the tax hike budget plan backed by certain Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly would seem to be one of self-preservation. The benefit of appearing to back a solution – even one with over $5 billion in economically damaging tax hikes – might seem to outweigh the risk of standing firm on pro-taxpayer principle.

But new polling results show otherwise. Illinois Policy commissioned an overnight poll of 500 Illinois likely voters, which Fabrizio, Lee & Associates conducted on June 20. Pollsters asked Illinoisans whether they favor a budget with tax hikes and minimal reforms – a plan the governor has indicated he will support – or whether they favor a budget that balances through spending cuts with no tax hikes.

The results reveal that in supporting a tax hike budget plan, the governor is pursuing a politically disadvantageous course. The budget the governor is backing is unpopular with his own base of support – and that same base prefers Illinois Policy’s vision of a state budget that balances through spending reforms without tax hikes.

* Her bio from last year when she got the internal promotion…

Rasmussen has been at the helm of the organization since 2009, when she joined the Institute as executive vice president. Under Rasmussen’s leadership, the Institute has become the state’s premiere economic research engine – producing impactful work on budget and tax issues, pensions, education reform, government transparency, economics, criminal justice reform and other issues.

Rasmussen, together with CEO John Tillman, shepherded the Institute’s rapid and successful expansion over the years. In 2012, the Institute launched its nonprofit, statewide news service, the Illinois News Network. Today, INN supplies opinion and news content to more than 50 news partners on a daily basis. In 2013, Illinois Policy Action was launched as a vehicle for taxpayers to join together and amplify their voice in the Illinois Statehouse. It operates as a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization.

The Institute now has more than 45 full-time employees and is one of the the largest free market organizations in the country. In 2015, Rasmussen won the State Policy Network’s prestigious Overton Award for her leadership and contributions to the liberty movement.

*** UPDATE 1 *** No campaign role for Goldberg. He’s leaving town…

Governor Bruce Rauner today announced that Chief of Staff Richard Goldberg will be transitioning back to foreign policy, national security and consulting following a three-plus year term as senior adviser to the Rauner 2014 campaign, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs and Chief of Staff. Kristina Rasmussen will serve as Chief of Staff.

“Rich is one of the most talented policy, political and communications advisors I’ve ever met and I will forever be indebted to his faithful public service for the last three and a half years,” Governor Rauner said. “I respect his decision to return to national security, foreign policy and consulting. Diana and I will always value his counsel and we wish him the best of luck in his next adventure.”

Prior to his service with Governor Rauner, Goldberg served as Deputy Chief of Staff for then-Senator Mark Kirk where he helped negotiate three rounds of economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran and worked to secure the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense radar to Israel. Goldberg also serves as a Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer and served in Afghanistan in 2011.

* And…

Governor Bruce Rauner announced today that Kristina Rasmussen has been appointed Chief of Staff in the Office of the Governor. Rasmussen will replace former Chief of Staff Richard Goldberg, effective on July 10, 2017.

Rasmussen joins the Administration from the Illinois Policy Institute, where she has served as president and chief operating officer. Rasmussen previously served as director of government affairs for the National Taxpayers Union. She is a graduate of George Washington University and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.

“Kristina has worked tirelessly to defend taxpayers over the course of her career,” said Governor Rauner. “Her record of achievement speaks for itself, both nationally and right here in the Prairie State.

“My vision has always been for an Illinois that is prosperous and compassionate, with a state government that serves the people, rather than the other way around. That’s Kristina’s vision too, and that’s why I have appointed her my next Chief of Staff.”

Like I said above, she fits in neatly with the governor’s ideological bent.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Goldberg has been wanting to leave for a while now, so his exit isn’t that much of a shock. Most figured he’d leave after a budget was in place. He’s been talking about returning the world of foreign relations for a while now.

His replacement, however, is somewhat of a shock. There was an identifiable internal replacement for Goldberg. Rauner most definitely went in a different direction.

And that new direction should help the governor avoid a Republican primary. He just shored up his right flank.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Press release…

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman issued the following statement in response to the news that former Illinois Policy Institute President Kristina Rasmussen has been appointed chief of staff to Gov. Bruce Rauner:

“Though we will miss her immensely at Illinois Policy Institute, we are thrilled that Kristina is bringing her passion for sound policy, her love of liberty, and her vision of an Illinois that is prosperous and free to the service of a governor who shares all those qualities. Gov. Bruce Rauner was elected on the promise to translate those ideas into action – and his engagement of Kristina is an unmistakable signal that he intends to fulfill it.

“The 32 percent tax hike without reform that the General Assembly just passed illustrates the imperative to win the fight to put the people of Illinois first. We must reform the system that has allowed House Speaker Mike Madigan and his political machine to create such hardship for working families. With the governor’s decision to add Kristina to his team, Illinois taxpayers and families have an effective and proven champion on their side.”

*** UPDATE 4 *** Press release…

This morning, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced that Kristina Rasmussen replaced Richard Goldberg as the administration’s Chief of Staff. Rasmussen had been serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) and Illinois Policy Action (IPA). Illinois Opportunity Project President Matthew Besler released the following statement in response to Rasmussen’s appointment:

“Since 2009, Kristina has contributed immeasurably to the freedom movement in Illinois. Under her bold leadership, the Illinois Policy Institute has become the largest, most respected state think tank in the country. She is a talented executive and understands the issues.”

“The addition of Kristina Rasmussen signals a welcome departure from the approach that has placed partisan maneuvering and political insiders ahead of families and businesses. The people of Illinois are suffering. Today, more than ever, they are ready for a transformation in state government. A driving force behind IPI’s expansion, Kristina is the ideal person to usher in that change.”

“The Illinois Opportunity Project is greatly encouraged by Governor Rauner’s choice of Kristina Rasmussen as his Chief of Staff. With her at the helm, we are confident the Governor is returning to the revolutionist instinct that won him the governorship in 2014 and brought hope to the people of Illinois. We sincerely thank Kristina for her tireless efforts toward protecting families from Springfield elites in the expansion of the liberty movement. And we fully support her in this new role.”

*** UPDATE 5 *** Check out the new Google ad announcing their takeover…

*** UPDATE 6 *** Pritzker campaign…

Bruce Rauner isn’t shaking up Springfield, but he is shaking up his own administration following four bipartisan veto overrides and a complete failure to accomplish any of his legislative goals during his time in office. Rauner knows the damage is done. Someone had to pay the price for Rauner’s failed leadership, and once again, it wasn’t going to be Bruce Rauner himself.

Richard Goldberg was ousted from the Rauner administration and will be transitioning back to consulting. Rauner’s new chief of staff, Kristina Rasmussen, previously ran the Illinois Policy Institute and will be perpetuating the governor’s extreme ideology.

“The Illinois Policy Institute proposes fantasy budgets that seek to decimate Illinois working families, so this is a perfect choice for Bruce Rauner,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “Last week, after 736 days of crisis, Bruce Rauner’s own party rebuked his special interest agenda. This week, Rauner is doubling down with a new chief of staff who has proposed dramatic cuts to education, raiding local government funds, and decimating unions. This is a failed governor entirely incapable of learning from his many mistakes, seeking compromise, and getting anything done. His new chief of staff will be a partner in his continued damage to Illinois.”

*** UPDATE 7 *** The governor’s new chief of staff was a Breitbart columnist back in the day. Click here for the archive. (Hat tip: IWT)

…Adding… Noted…

https://t.co/wNGbWBriRI didn't exist until 2012, following Andrew's death when everything was re-launched.

— Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) July 10, 2017

*** UPDATE 8 *** From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…

Rasmussen is believed to be the first female chief of staff on a governor’s team in Illinois history. In the past 30 years, no other female has held such a position in the state.

Um, no. Michelle Saddler held that job in 2010.

*** UPDATE 9 *** Coverage of note…

* Hinz: Rauner signals war with new chief of staff

* Tribune: Days after lawmakers override Rauner veto, he gets new chief of staff

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