* Even more super PAC money is heading to the 9th and 8th congressional districts. NBC…
A new progressive group is promising to spend at least $10 million to boost preferred Democratic candidates and counter pro-Israel groups that have spent tens of millions of dollars to shape party primaries in recent years.
The group, called American Priorities, has already reported spending more than $500,000 to boost North Carolina Democrat Nida Allam in her primary challenge against Rep. Valerie Foushee. It also spent $72,000 to support the Rev. Frederick Haynes III in his bid for a Dallas-area congressional district. […]
American Priorities plans to target at least 10 more races with a commitment to spend “eight figures,” according to a news release announcing the group’s creation. It says it’s “focusing on competitive primaries where independent expenditures can move outcomes.” […]
A source familiar with the group’s planning told NBC News it’s considering getting involved in other brewing contests, including: […] Open Democratic primaries in Illinois’ 8th and 9th districts in the Chicago area.
A crypto-funded super PAC is poised to shake up two Illinois Democratic House primaries with seven-figure ad buys targeting state lawmakers running for Congress who backed legislation that the industry opposes.
The super PAC, Fairshake, will spend at least $1 million each against Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford, who is running to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Danny Davis, and state Sen. Robert Peters, who is vying to succeed Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly as she runs for U.S. Senate. […]
Both Ford and Peters voted for state-level crypto legislation imposing new rules on digital asset firms that became law last August. Peters — who is backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a leading crypto critic — was a co-sponsor of the measure, which forces crypto companies to comply with a range of new consumer protection standards.
The super PAC said in a statement that the “legislators voted for and pushed draconian rules that would have led to a patchwork of state-by-state rules that kills American competitiveness and job creation and undermines consumer protections.”
In Chicagoland, the industry found those sympathetic candidates in Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the recently deceased former progressive presidential candidate, who is hoping to regain his old seat in the Second Congressional District, and Melissa Bean, running for her old seat in the Eighth District. Jackson is hoping to make a comeback after he was investigated for misuse of campaign funds in 2012, resigned from the seat, pled guilty, and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. After leaving her seat, Bean spent over a decade in the banking world and is no stranger to the role of big money in politics.
In Jackson’s case, the AI PAC money is going up directly against AIPAC, which has driven donors to Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, while also spending big money through Affordable Chicago Now on pro-Miller ads.
As of February 19, a PAC called Think Big has spent over $1 million on both Jackson and Bean. Think Big is the Democratic affiliate of the super PAC Leading the Future, which says it and its associates have raised $125 million in commitments and have $70 million in cash on hand. Leading the Future is funded by major tech donors, including Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz (of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz) and Greg and Anna Brockman. Greg Brockman is the co-founder and president of OpenAI; in 2024, alongside his wife Anna, he gave $25 million to pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. […]
Jackson spokesperson John Digles tried to justify the Leading the Future support as part of the candidate’s future agenda in Congress. “The AI economy is here. Jesse Jackson Jr. believes that underserved communities must not miss another economic shift. He knows many have been left behind too many times. In this campaign, there are voices who claim to be progressive, yet promote regressive fear that will further marginalize those in the Second Congressional District. AI technologies must be developed and regulated to meet ALL of their needs,” he said in a statement.
Fine was also the sole candidate to respond “YES” to supporting continued arms funding for Israel, after asking for further clarification of the question.
Bushra Amiwala, a Skokie School District 73.5 board member, criticized “three candidates on this stage (Biss, Fine and Abughazaleh) who have red boxes on their websites,” a way to discreetly signal to outside spending groups and super PACs the kinds of ads they want, without directly coordinating with the outside groups, which would violate FEC laws. […]
Simmons, who many in the crowd seemed to buzz about after the forum concluded, took issue Thursday night with Abughazaleh’s recent assertion that only three candidates remain viable one month from election day.
“I think it’s erasure,” Simmons said. “It erases me, I’m a Black LGBTQ state senator who represents nearly a quarter million people who has built an amazing campaign with endorsements from all three counties in the 9th District … I’ve got a scrappy campaign operation with over 100 volunteers, if that’s not a viable campaign then I don’t know what is.”
* Moving on to the 8th CD…
Democratic congressional candidate Dan Tully announced the launch of a new 30-second and 15-second campaign advertisement highlighting his commitment to accountability, economic fairness, and protecting democratic institutions. The ad is supported by a six-figure media buy and will air across digital platforms throughout Illinois’ 8th Congressional District. […]
The six-figure investment signals growing momentum behind the campaign and ensures voters across the district will see the message in the weeks ahead. The ad will run on streaming platforms and targeted digital placements to reach voters where they consume news and information.
The launch comes as the campaign continues to build grassroots support through town halls, community events, and voter outreach efforts across the district.
Army lawyer Dan Tully resigned from the Trump administration to defend our Constitution against its authoritarian agenda
And now he’s running for Congress to stop it.
Tully’s plan will:
Reclaim the Justice Department
Abolish ICE, prosecute and jail lawbreaking MAGA cronies, end the corruption and billionaire giveaways. And lower our damn costs
* Press release…
Today, Progressive Democrat Patty García announced the endorsement of the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL). The CFL represents nearly 300 affiliate unions, who in turn represent 500,000 working people across Cook County, including more than 26,000 workers in the Fourth Congressional District.
“Patty has a proven record of delivering for working people,” said Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter. “An ally to labor both on and off the picket line, she understands how building worker power is key to solving the affordability crisis. The CFL is proud to endorse Patty García in this race.”
Garcia has received support from a broad coalition of labor unions representing over 1.5 million members (see list below), reflecting her long-standing advocacy for protecting workers’ rights, strengthening collective bargaining, and expanding economic opportunity for working Americans.
* More…
*Evanston Roundtable | Call-outs over cash take over Pink Poster Club congressional forum: After state Sen. Laura Fine (9th District) answered this by saying her donors support her record on health care and other issues, opponents Kat Abughazaleh, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and state Sen. Mike Simmons (7th District) each took time in their answers to call out Fine over the large amount of money she’s received from people who’ve also donated to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and right-wing politicians and groups. AIPAC has backed Fine’s campaign by fundraising for her and reportedly backing millions in super PAC ads, but has not publicly endorsed her.
* Press release | IL-07: Black Interfaith Leaders Across Chicago’s South & West Sides Endorse Anabel Mendoza, Launch “Faith Leaders for Anabel”: In a powerful show of grassroots momentum, more than ten prominent Black interfaith leaders from across Chicago’s South and West Sides will formally endorse IL-07 Congressional candidate Anabel Mendoza during a press conference on Sunday, February 22, at 1:45 pm CST. They will also sign a public Unity & Accountability Pledge and launch “Faith leaders for Anabel,” declaring their support for her to unite and transform Illinois’ 7th Congressional District.
* I’m coming late to these ads. Sorry. Press release…
Today, Ted Dabrowski, conservative candidate for governor, released a new ad that will air on television, digital platforms and radio. Dabrowski takes Gov. J.B. Pritzker up on his challenge that dares anyone to end his protection of illegal alien criminals. Pritzker’s protection comes at the expense of the safety of Illinois families and literally at the expense of residents in terms of taxpayer-funded health care, rent and college-tuition for those illegally residing in Illinois.
Dabrowski, the son of parents who emigrated to the United States legally from Poland and Ecuador, is the candidate endorsed by Angel Parents like Joe Abraham, Katie Abraham’s father, because he represents the sharpest contrast to Pritzker on immigration and public safety issues. He is the only candidate for governor who has committed to go all-in on repeal of the state’s sanctuary law and a restoration of the rule of law in Illinois.
“If you come for my people, you come through me.” (Pritzker)
That was Pritzker’s challenge to President Trump.
But who are Pritzker’s people?
They’re the more than 1,700 illegal alien predators Pritzker helped escape from ICE.
They’re the people whose health care, rent and college tuition you pay for.
Well, I have a message for you, Governor.
I’ll be coming for you and going through you.
Your days and the days of sanctuary living for “your people” are over.
* And now for something completely different…
Today, State Representative Margaret Croke released new ads in her campaign for Illinois State Comptroller. The ads highlight Croke’s commitment to increasing transparency, eliminating waste, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently. “That’s A Lot” and “Hide and Seek” are now running across digital platforms statewide.
“I’m running for Comptroller because I want Illinois to be the best place for every child to receive a quality education, find a job, and raise their own family, because that’s what I want for my own three children,” said State Representative Margaret Croke. “As Comptroller, I will be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and lead everyday with transparency, accountability, and efficiency. I look forward to continuing to share that message with Illinoisans across the state in the final weeks of this campaign.”
Margaret Croke: The Illinois state budget is over $55 billion a year.
Mary Pearl Croke: That’s a lot!
Margaret Croke: But do you know how it’s actually spent?
Hattie Croke: I don’t!
Margaret Croke: I’m Margaret Croke.
PJ Croke: She’s our mom!
Margaret Croke: As a State Representative, I worked to make things more affordable by eliminating the tax on groceries. Now I’m running for Comptroller to get rid of the waste in Springfield and use your tax dollars wisely. Because as a mom of three, I know something about oversight.
