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* Campaign finance reports have been rolling out for congressional candidates this week. Let’s start with the 8th District Democratic primary…
In the race to win the Democratic primary in the 8th Congressional District, Tammy Duckworth has been enjoying a poll advantage. Her campaign’s latest survey shows her with a 42 point lead.
But, when it comes to financing, Raja Krishnamoorthi has $791,000 cash on hand compared to Duckworth’s $562,000.
Duckworth had a big fourth quarter of fund raising, but not enough to overcome Krishnamoorthi’s financial lead.
“Raja has raised more money than Duckworth because he has a stronger message,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Mike Murray.
The Duckworth campaign responds:
“The difference between cash on hand available for the primary is around $140,000. In the Chicago media market, that’s about three day’s worth of television. He would need a lot more than that to make up a 40 point difference in the polling,” said spokeswoman Kaitlin Fahey.
Republican Congressman Joe Walsh, who will face the winner here, raised $146,880 last quarter and had $460,437 cash on hand.
Raja has raised more because he started earlier. And Fahey is probably right about that 40-point difference being too great to be overcome with $140K. I still don’t get why Raja didn’t run in the 10th. He would’ve been almost a sure thing in the primary and given Congressman Dold a real run.
* Speaking of the 10th…
Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) raised $356,831 for his reelection bid for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2011, and now has $1.24 million in the bank, according to a campaign spokesperson. […]
Deerfield management consultant Brad Schneider raised more than $134,000 for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2011, for his Tenth Congressional District campaign in trying to unseat Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth). […]
Schneider raised more than $630,000 since beginning his effort in May, and has more than $450,000 in the bank.
Earlier this month, Waukegan community organizer Ilya Sheyman and Long Grove business owner John Tree reported their fundraising efforts for the quarter.
Sheyman collected in excess of $180,000 for the period with more than $200,000 cash on hand. Tree, who entered the race in November, raised $101,000 with $80,000 on hand.
* Kinzinger with the edge in what has shaped up to be a very negative GOP primary battle…
In a remap-inspired matchup of two incumbent Republican congressman in northwestern Illinois’ 16th District, 19-year Rep. Donald Manzullo of Leaf River reported having $522,864 to start 2012 after raising $169,867 in the final three months of last year.
Manzullo’s GOP primary opponent, first-term Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Manteno reported raising $286,260 and had $651,089 in campaign cash on hand.
From Politico’s David Catanese…
Informed Republicans say Manzullo is on retirement watch.
Hadn’t heard that. Interesting.
*** UPDATE *** From Congressman Manzullo’s campaign spokesman…
Rich,
Unfortunately, David Catanese did not contact us before he printed the unsubstantiated retirement rumors from “informed Republicans.” It’s ridiculous on its face to say such a thing when we have more than a half million dollars on hand with less than seven weeks until the election.
The fact is, our fundraising totals right now are solid. We held several successful fundraisers in January that are not reflected in the current totals with several more to come. Congressman Manzullo outraised Congressman Kinzinger by $110,000 the previous filing period (third quarter of 2011), and we likely will have a similar amount of cash on hand once the January fundraising is reflected. Money will not be a factor in this race. What will be a factor is grassroots activism, and Congressman Manzullo is getting strong support from all areas of the new district. He has been endorsed by several major conservative organizations, and has amassed a strong campaign team of area Republican officials, business owners, farmers, and Tea Party leaders throughout the 16th District. Congressman Manzullo has the strong conservative record, the leadership experience, and the plans to help strengthen our economy and help put Americans back to work, and that’s why he is getting so much support for re-election.
Thanks,
Rich Carter
Manzullo campaign spokesman
* An impressive haul by Bustos…
Democrat Cheri Bustos, still facing a contested primary, came within nearly $1,000 of raising as much money in the last three months of 2011 as incumbent Rep. Bobby Schilling, R-Ill., in the 17th Congressional District race, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
In the reports, which were due Tuesday by midnight, Bustos, a former East Moline alderwoman and hospital executive, said she had raised $219,068 between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. Schilling reported raising $219,955.
It’s rare for challengers to raise as much money as incumbents.
Even with that, however, the freshman Republican maintained more than twice the cash balance as Bustos with nearly two months of campaigning left before the state’s March 20 primary.
Schilling said he had $612,022 in the bank at the end of 2011, while Bustos reported $278,897 in cash on hand. This was the second full quarter of fundraising for her. Schilling filed four quarterly reports last year.
After the 2010 election, Schilling was considered by Democrats to be one of the easier freshmen marks here. The guy is an amazingly hard worker and has moderated his tone considerably. He won’t be a pushover by any means.
Bustos’ Democratic primary opponents raised practically no money…
Augustana College administrator Greg Aguilar only raised $6,618, FEC filings reveal, with roughly $16,000 cash on hand. Freeport Mayor George Gualrapp raised $9,980 total as of September 2011.
I guess I’ll never quite figure out why people run for office if they’re unwilling to do the necessary work to win.
* A miniscule buy, but Gidwitz is obviously trying to raise enough cash to be a real player…
With the Illinois primary still seven weeks away, a business-oriented political group headed by Chicago business activist Ronald Gidwitz is launching attack ads against a likely Democratic opponent of Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Hinsdale.
The $25,000 cable TV buy takes aim at Bill Foster, a former scientist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory who served one term in Congress before losing two years ago to Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Winfield.
Mr. Foster has two opponents in the Democratic primary, Aurora attorney Juan Thomas and James Hickey, president of the Orland Park Fire Protection District. But Mr. Gidwitz said, “it’s pretty clear to us” that his group is targeting the likely nominee.
The 30-second ad, called “Signs,” consists of a piano dirge in the background with a voice-over saying: “There were signs that Bill Foster would be bad for Illinois,” citing his votes for health care reform and a bill to make it easier for unions to organize. “How many signs that Bill Foster would be bad for jobs do we really need?” The ad closes with an image of a man in a work shirt taping a sign to a window that reads “Closed — Going out of Business.”
So far, the New Prosperity Foundation (one of those newfangled “SuperPACs”) has raised $205K and had $133K on hand at the start of the year.
* Here’s the anti-Foster ad. Rate it…
* J3 catches up…
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. raised twice as much money as rival Debbie Halvorson in the last quarter of 2011. But with money she already had in her account, the two head into next month’s Democratic primary for the South Side and south suburban 2nd Congressional seat with a roughly equal amount of money to spend.
Jesse Jackson Jr.: $115,046; $262,942
Debbie Halvorson: $66,360; $260,727
* Roundup…
* Is Randy Hultgren Hinting about a Statewide Run?
* Gill challenges Goetten to 13th District debates
* NRCC picks Joe Walsh for Patriot Program
* Schilling votes to freeze own pay
* Manzullo Votes to Continue Pay Freeze
* Rep. Walsh Takes Stand Against Contraceptive Mandate
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 12:35 pm
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Eh…
Not that impressed, then again I don’t really like Foster at all. So any ad that makes him look bad it ok in my book
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 12:38 pm
=== “Raja has raised more money than Duckworth because he has a stronger message,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Mike Murray. ===
What a bunch of nonsense. Message is only one, and often not a primary reason, why some candidates outraise others. I could be wrong on this, but I would venture to guess that Raja has raised a significant amount of money from within the Indian community. The Indian community, both in Illinois and outside, have demonstrated they are increasingly interested in putting big money behind candidates — especially there own. Nothing inherently wrong with that as plenty of demographics do that and Indian (and Asians (and yes I realize Duckworth is Asian)) are woefully underrepresented.
And I realize Mike Murray is former CapFax intern.
Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 1:27 pm
I didn’t look at the recently released FEC 4Q reports, but during the previous quaters almost all of Raja’s big donors were Indian-Americans or at the very least “Desis” (people from South Asia), or people who worked at his former employer, Kirkland & Ellis.
Comment by Svalka Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 1:49 pm
I think superpacs are a sleeper story in congressional races next fall. Republicans lost the house in 2006 by something like 66,000 votes (if you take the 20 closest races that decided everything) and I think that could factor in here particularly if the NRCC doesn’t come in to help dold or biggert.
Comment by Shore Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 1:49 pm
@leonardobaldini
New here?
Comment by TwoFeetThick Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 2:37 pm
Dream on Kinzinger. Manzullo’s going nowhere. He’s winning huge, why would he leave.
Comment by just sayin' Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:11 pm
@Just Observing — First, here is ny full quote, which did not make it into the story Rich qouted from
“Raja has raised more money than Duckworth because he has a stronger message,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Mike Murray.
“In an election where the dominant issue is the economy and job creation, Raja is the only candidate with a detailed economic plan to create jobs and the economic experience and depth of knowledge to put that plan into action,” continued Murray. “When voters hear that fact, they will vote for Raja, and thanks to our significant resource advantage, there is no doubt that Raja’s message will reach voters before election day.”
Comment by Mike Murray Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:14 pm
Second,Raja only had a 5 and a half week head start on fundraising over Duckworth.
Duckworth had the full fundraising support of Durbin, Axelrod, Emily’s List, and the email list from Rahm. Also, Stenny Hoyer and Pelosi maxed out to her as well as some prominent national unions. Even with all those people raising money for her,at the end of the day, we still out-raised Duckworth by more than 60K, and we did not have to spend more than $1 out of every $3 that we raised to do it.
Comment by Mike Murray Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:21 pm
Finally, the notion that Raja is raising type of money that he is solely due to the fact that he is an Indian is ridiculous. It takes more than being South Asian to raise money. Vivek Bavda is Indian in a district with similar make up to the 8th, and he has performed very poorly when it comes to fundraising. Raja has a strong message, good experience, and is charismatic, that is why he has gotten a ton of local endorsements (even after Duckworth got in) and has continued to raise impressive amounts of money.
Comment by Mike Murray Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:29 pm
@Svalka - go through our Q4 report. Lots of progressive donors in there…
Comment by Mike Murray Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:32 pm
Sorry, Mike but I gotta go with Kaitlin. Money won’t buy you love.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:45 pm
“Vivek Bavda is Indian in a district with similar make up to the 8th, and he has performed very poorly when it comes to fundraising.”
Vivek Bavda has not been running for office for the last 10 years working on senate campaigns, running statewide, getting appointments in springfield. google Jay footlik my friend, that fate awaits you in 6 weeks. As I said earlier, your candidate will be able to get a head start on his 2014 campaign.
Comment by Shore Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:49 pm
Mike,
You’re a former intern. Why did you do four separate posts? CapFax can accommodate longer posts
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 3:58 pm
@Bill - Never said it would. We didn’t buy all those local endorsements, they love us because Raja has a strong message and is a local guy that is accessible.
@Shore - Raja has not been campaigning for this race for the last decade. You pretty much just attacked him for his experience. The fact that he lost a primary race for IL Comptroller, worked as Deputy Treasurer, and served as policy adviser to Obama does not make him a career politician or explain why he has been able to raise the money he has.
Raja graduated from Princeton with honors with an engineering degree and then went to Harvard Law, also graduating with honors. He was a partner at Kirkland and Ellis before his public service, and President of a high-tech small business, where he created jobs in a down economy, after his public service.
Either way, you kind of supported my point. Raja has great economic experience and a detailed economic plan drawn from that experience. Vivek does not. That explains the difference in fundraising. It’s Raja’s message that resonates, not the fact that he is Indian.
As to Jay Footlik, I already said on this blog that Raja could lose, but he could win. Time will tell, but hear me now and believe me later, Raja has a much better shot then you give him credit for.
@cynic- was multitasking and did not know if I would be able to get back to my computer in time to get the post up before all you state workers go home at 4:30 and us campaign guys are left to burn the midnight oil and make posts that no one would read.
Comment by Mike Murray Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 4:29 pm
First, I’m not surprised Cheri Bustos has caught up to Bobby Schilling. Her dad is Gene Callahan.
Second, JJJ playing catch-up means his candidacy is in bigger trouble than he expected. It’s not common for a challenger - albeit one who is a former Congresswoman - to outraise an incumbent at the beginning of a race. Had JJJ sat on the sidelines to think about his future and then got a late start, I would understand. But he’s been a declared candidate since his last reelection bid.
Third, don’t be shocked if Manzullo pulls up lame in the coming weeks. His fundraising seems to be doing okay, but February is a rough month when you consider the fundraisers, Lincoln Day Dinners and forums/county/township meetings. Adam Kinzinger could easily outwork Don and come away with a decisive win.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 4:31 pm
==We didn’t buy all those local endorsements==
Well, that is somewhat debatable. So, if Raja has a better shot than we all believe, why didn’t he release the results of his own poll that he commissioned?
Comment by Bill Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 4:49 pm
And welcome back 47. We’ve missed you.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 5:12 pm
@47. The blog is something I enjoy. It is my for down time between tasks or over a meal. I like the debate. Pure and Simple. Plus it brings me back to my days in Springfield.
I’m certainly not trying to convince a bunch of people from outside the 8th to support Raja.
But I suppose you are right. I was going to answer Bill’s questions with no comment and then lay it all out for you in hypotheticals, but since it would take too long, and I would not want to appear like an amateur, I guess I will have to pass.
But Just FYI - I get to work at 6am and leave at 9pm. So if I want to waste an hour on the blog in the rare occasions that Rich focuses on my race instead of State government, I think I have earned that right. Considering my pay at least. LOL.
Still, point taken. Back to the grind…
Comment by Mike Murray Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 6:04 pm
I’m glad Kinziner is running some where else he did little or nothing in 11. Manzullo should clean his clock.
Comment by mokenavince Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 6:17 pm
People, Mike and any other campaign person has the right, even the duty to post comments here. Those who leave cheap-shot comments about how he should be doing something else might wanna consider leaving.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 7:12 pm
Thx Rich
Comment by Mike Murray Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 8:30 pm
Mike,
You should be careful what you say. I guess you can say that Raja is raising more money because of his message since there isn’t another reporting period, but when she starts outspending you on TV that comment could come back to haunt you.
Comment by WizzardOfOzzie Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 9:27 pm
PS Mike’s first night in Springfield was epic. Rich gave him the royal treatment.
Comment by WizzardOfOzzie Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 9:31 pm
The race isn’t my dance but it is nice for a campaign to be open about who they are when posting here instead of trying to hide who they are….
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 10:16 pm
Combined, the Dem candidates in the 10th outraised Dold in Q4 and that was with a bunch of corporate PACs chipping in for Dold which isn’t happening yet for the Dems (to as big a degree).
Then again the Dems aren’t benefiting from freebies like Dold’s tone deaf franked mailers and all the SuperPAC mailers already flooding the district to lie on his behalf.
All you right-wingers at RetireSafe, I’m talkin’ to you!
Comment by G. Willickers Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 10:21 pm
Rich and Mike,
I’m sorry if mine came across as a cheap shot. That wasn’t my intention at all and I apologize.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 2, 12 @ 10:23 pm
@WizzardofOzzie - I doubt she will out-spend us on TV. If she does, I am a big boy, and I will take my licks on the blog I am sure.
But yes, first night was epic. lol.
@47thWard - Trust me, this campaign is my top prioirty (and pretty much my whole life right now). I have worked my butt off, and will continue to do so.
That said, I am not a robot. But I don’t post on facebook or tweet or other wastes of time. Instead of facebook, I was posting on this thread. Purly for my own enjoyment, not to spin a message or win votes.
The cheap shot was that you implied I was sitting around doing nothing and you have absolutely no idea what I do on a day to day basis for the camapign or even what our camopaing is up to.
All I will say is that there is a reason I started the campaign working pro-bono, got brought on as Campaign Spokesman, and now I am the Deputy Cmapaign Manager… and those of you who have meet me know it is not due to my good looks. haha
Anyways… Got work in 4 hours. But no worries. Water off a ducks back.
Comment by Mike Murray Friday, Feb 3, 12 @ 1:03 am
===Mike’s first night in Springfield was epic. Rich gave him the royal treatment. ===
But we raised a bunch of cash for charity.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 3, 12 @ 1:14 am
Looks like Cheri will get the Dem nod in the 17th. Schilling would be wise to keep running to the center, or she’ll push him out of the picture.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 3, 12 @ 8:11 am