As first reported by National Journal, a new poll conducted on behalf of the DCCC IE in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District finds Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan leading incumbent Congressman Rodney Davis by five points, 48% - 43%. Former VP Joe Biden also leads President Trump in the district, 53% - 40%.
In 2018, IL-13 was one of the closest elections in the country with Dirksen Londrigan coming within one point – a mere 2,058 votes – of unseating Davis, and the race is considered one of the top pickup opportunities for Democrats across the country.
“This latest poll makes clear that working people in Central Illinois are ready to reject Congressman Rodney Davis’ career in Washington of looking out for himself and his special interest friends,” said DCCC Spokesperson Courtney Rice. “From his long record of voting to gut affordable health care and protections for people with pre-existing conditions to his corporate tax giveaway that hamstrung families, Davis has made it clear that he’ll always prioritize himself and his donors over his constituents.”
The DCCC has been on air in IL-13 since Labor Day. “Secret,” which is currently on air, slams Davis who twice voted against transparency for the federal loan program meant to help small businesses during the pandemic – after his own family took more than $1 million in loans. “Working For” and “Perfect Match” were previously on air and highlighted how Davis takes millions in contributions from special interests and votes their way in Washington.
The poll was conducted on behalf of the DCCC IE by Tulchin Research among 400 likely voters between October 1-6, 2020. The margin of error is +/-4.9.
President Trump won that district by 5.5 points four years ago.
* Meanwhile…
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan continues to show strength in her campaign, announcing today that she raised nearly $1.55 million in the latest FEC fundraising quarter, which ended September 30. Dirksen Londrigan outraised Congressman Rodney Davis the last three quarters, and will report more than $1.3 million cash on hand to finish out the final month of the campaign.
Dirksen Londrigan’s campaign is powered by the people, with over 85% of her donations coming in amounts of $100 or less. Betsy also refuses to accept corporate PAC money, now or when in Congress, and she will not be beholden to anyone except the voters who elect her to Congress.
That couldn’t stand in clearer contrast to Davis who has accepted more than $3 million from corporate PACs and more than $200,000 from Big Pharma corporate PACs, all while voting in their best interests rather than the interests of Central Illinois families.
* And…
Today, Rodney Davis’ campaign for Congress released a new ad titled “Shannon,” which highlights Rodney’s work to protect healthcare coverage for individual’s with pre-existing conditions and make healthcare more affordable.
The ad features Rodney’s wife Shannon, who is a registered nurse and 21-year survivor of colon cancer. She was able to receive treatment for her cancer diagnosis and live thanks to her healthcare coverage. Rodney believes that all Americans should have access to those same healthcare protections because it will save lives. This issue is personal to him.
After a long stretch in which Pritzker had appeared to hold the upper hand on the tax amendment, its outcome now may be in jeopardy. The combination of a news cycle that has turned against him with a relentless focus on corruption allegations involving Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and an all-out campaign against the tax that sort of constitutes Bruce Rauner’s revenge has Team Pritzker a bit back on its heels, whether it wants to admit it or not.
The latest polling made available to me by a reliable source shows the amendment’s fate is now very uncertain. Support for the proposition is less than the 60 percent that would guarantee its approval as a stand-along proposition, but more than the 50 percent that would allow it to pass under a different rule that enacts any amendment backed by more than half of those who turn out for the election.
I think it’s always been somewhat in that range, but closer to the 60 mark early on. The governor didn’t start out with much of a cushion, put it that way.
* The Question: What’s your gut telling you on the passage of the graduated income tax? Explain.
The infection of a Macon County circuit court judge with COVID-19 caused a cascade of effects in the local legal world: a debate between state’s attorney candidates was suddenly scrubbed and two assistant state’s attorneys are now on home quarantine.
Associate Judge Jeffrey Geisler received a positive test for the virus over the weekend, according to Presiding Judge A.G. Webber IV.
“He had kind of a nagging cough last week and he felt fine but, in an abundance of caution and I think with the encouragement of his wife, he went and got tested and, to his surprise, it came back positive,” said Webber.
“And that was also a surprise to all of us.”
Do NOT endanger others like that. The world has changed, whether you like it or not. Deal with it.
* Yikes…
SARS-CoV-2 can survive for up to 9 hours on human skin compared to nearly 2 hours for influenza A virus. Both were completely inactivated on human skin within 15 seconds by ethanol. The 9-h survival of SARS-CoV-2 on human skin supports hand hygiene needs https://t.co/kZQMpLqC61pic.twitter.com/hAwrjmUqrH
American attitudes and their usage of masks have shifted broadly as President Trump has been hospitalized for COVID-19, a National Geographic and Morning Consult poll taken over the weekend has found.
More than 6 in 10 Americans questioned say they are more favorable toward people wearing a mask, and there have been steady increases in mask usage among people of all ages, demographic groups, and political leanings since a similar poll in July.
Despite noisy no-mask protests, 92 percent of 2,200 Americans polled say they wear a face mask when leaving their home, with 74 percent saying they “always” do. That “always” percentage is up nearly a quarter since July, according to the poll, which has a 2 percent margin of error.
* Yes, this two-day event was outside. But Christian County has an average positivity rate of 11.6 percent…
This is just one more reason why we can’t have nice things.
