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And the winner is…

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Illinois

* US Sen. Mark Kirk’s 2010 win proved that a pro-choice moderate could win a GOP primary and go on to win a general election. Kirk deployed several of his staff members to the Rauner campaign and they not only helped keep the messaging on track (Lance Trover, Rich Goldberg), but put together what turned out to be one heck of a field operation (Mike Z). Trover and Z are actually Topinka people, and her 2010 comeback was as important as Kirk’s win, so she shares in this as well.

From Kirk’s statement last night…

“For the first time in a long time, I am optimistic about the future of Illinois,” Kirk said. “In a show of unity, I will host Governor-Elect Rauner, Mayor Emanuel and Senator Durbin to lunch so we can immediately begin to work in coordination for our great state.”

So, other than people who actually won their own races yesterday, Kirk is my “biggest winner” of 2014. And he’ll need a strong gubernatorial ally to help fend off the right wing and the Democrats in 2016, if he decides to run again.

The RGA comes in a close second, in my book. Former RGA staff were crucial to Rauner, and the huge RGA checks didn’t hurt, either.

* Your own thoughts on biggest winners? Let’s focus on the positive here, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:29 am

Comments

Corey Brooks

Comment by Jimmy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:33 am
Madigan. Jacobs gets smoked and he somehow keeps Smiddy and everyone else. Wow. That machine is amazing.

Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:34 am
Agree on all points, Rich. Having Rauner there in 2016 could be huge for Kirk. And his crew….they’ve learned and know how to win in this State, and are all young. That’s huge not for just them and Kirk, but the State GOP as a whole

Comment by Anonymoiis Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:34 am
Reince Prebus (sp).

Comment by Casual Observer Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:35 am
Kirk had a very good night.

Comment by Under Further Review Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:37 am
Winners? Rauner Crew,

I was wrong.

With a great deal of humility, and with no reservation or conditions, your deft skill at understanding what you were trying to accomplish and to do that, with technology, shoe leather, and a strong understanding of how Illinois as a battleground would react to your exceptional… exceptional… ground game tactics and dedication, you proved me wrong, embarrassingly wrong, and made the point loud and clear that your cake can bake, it was delicious for your Principle, and for me, it is baked with a double helping of crow, unconditionally.

So the winners are;

Lance Trover, Rich Goldberg, Mike Z, Mike Schrimpf and Chip Englander.

Congratulations.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:37 am
Yesterday’s biggest winners (IMHO) in order

1. Michael Madigan
2. Bruce Rauner
3. Rahm Emmanuel
4. Mark Kirk

So, yes - I think Rich Miller hits the nail on the head.

Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:38 am
Rauner, Rahm, Madigan, Kirk, Dold

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:39 am
Cullerton. He will emerge as the primary foil and counter-point to Rauner.

Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:39 am
A little explanation, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:40 am
Team Rauner. Simon exceeded my not very high expectations.

Is there a government official that uses Twitter better in their official capacity than David Orr? It was hard to get a lot of good, reliable information about the mechanics of the election but the info coming from Orr’s office was great.

Campaign consultants. That money got got.

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:40 am
Evelyn. The Nation’s newest rising star.

Comment by Super CFL Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:41 am
MJM & Cullerton…Rauner now must ask them for anything he wants…or they just pass what the want and override his Veto.

I know you said positive and winners, but the huge losers will be the H & S Repub caucuses.
Rauner asks the Senate President (or Speaker) to pass a Bill for his Income Tax rate “Phase Out” plan and the response will be, sure we’ve got 10 votes for you, have the Sen. R’s put up their 20….
That is going to be fun to watch…

Comment by Are Ya Kiddin' Me? Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:41 am
Capfax.

Don’t know your business model Rich but i’m pretty sure things are good when chaos abounds (i.e. Blago/Madigan fight).

Political intelligence has a price and it just went up.

Comment by Abe the Babe Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:42 am
Pat Quinn.

Despite the apparent outcome, he came into his own as a politician.

Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:43 am
Maybe, OW, Rauner/crew were reading CapFax and took your repeated warnings re GOTV and having a consistent message. I bet they felt it was the only way to blunt the write in campaign.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:43 am
Christie looks pretty good right now. If he is running for Prez in 16, he has a massive fundraising pipeline in Chicago and on the North Shore.

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:45 am
I’ll go with Diana Rauner as one of the big winners from yesterday. I spoke with three different women this morning, each of whom independently offered how much she boosted their impression of Bruce Rauner.

One isn’t really noteworthy, two could be coincidence, but three is a trend. I’m sure focus groups told Rauner the same thing. Hopefully she will lend a touch of grace and class to the role of First Lady. I wish her well.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:46 am
Andy Manar. He looks like a legitimate rising star if his central Illinois district doesn’t beat him and he held it in a wave year for the opposition. Now he can go back to working on trying to build a coalition on education funding.

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:46 am
Madigan and Cullerton. Retained super-majorities, but, with a Republican Governor, they can demand Republican participation on unpalatable votes.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:46 am
Rauner.

Virtual unknown a year ago, now the governor of the fifth largest state.

Ran circles around his primary opponents, hung on to win rather comfortably in a brutal, knock-down race that the polls indicated was slipping away from him in the final weeks.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:47 am
Cook County retention judges. All were retained as usual.

Comment by Super CFL Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:48 am
Winners
1-Rauner
2-Radogno - only 2 races and picked up 1 seat
3-Madigan - GOP landslide and keeps all his seats

Loosers
1-Labor - invested major $ and not much to show
2-Durkin - nationwide landslide and cant pick up one seat to get out of the superminority
3-IMA - in early with Rauner with major $

Comment by GOP Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:48 am
There were actually a lot of winner.

Madigan is a huge winner - no GOP wave here.

Rauner bought himself a governorship and is now a footnote in Illinois history.

Rodney Davis proved he is a real congressman who can handle a real primary and a real Democratic opponent and win walking away.

Topinka has become a beloved GOP saint.

Kirk earned support from key players.

Durbin can remain in office until the Grim Reaper shows up.

A lack of cash isn’t ILGOPs problem with voters.

My gut. I was only wrong on Schilling here in Illinois and on Scott Brown in New Hampshire.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:49 am
@Wordslinger:

This was a bizarre election. The primary was especially weird when “double bunking” became an issue.

Comment by Under Further Review Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:49 am
- dupage dan -

They didn’t

They did all on their own, their own terms, their own cake.

I was never a factor in the logic. That is 100% true, and beyond bad form to even believe. It’s their day.

Period.

As for my incredibly and ability run campaign, I failed - Norseman -, but I have conceded before Quinn. The campaign will release a statement at some point.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:50 am
Rauner,Rahm,Dold,Durkin,GOP in general.

Comment by Mokenavince Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:51 am
The IL GOP. Rauner did not lose, Topinka won and they bucked the trend of fumbling it away in the last days. He made honest efforts to make inroads in the Black community.
Barton Larimor, just because

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:52 am
I don’t see how Kirk is the biggest winner. He will be primaried hard and even if he beats that, the Democrats will eat him alive. Rauner will be concerned about his own re-election like all politicians and will not care about Kirk.

Comment by Super CFL Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:53 am
Biggest potential winner: ILGOP.

If they can pull off a “fiscal-conservative”, “pro-business and jobs”, and “no-social-agenda” combo image. Rauner did. He would have to lead this movement, and not just focus on the Governorship.

They also made gains in GOTV, and were not afraid to compete in Chicago.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:54 am
==Rauner will be concerned about his own re-election like all politicians and will not care about Kirk==

Rauner will not be up for reelection in 2016.

Comment by Anonymoiis Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:55 am
Ron Holmes got a prominent shout out in Durbin’s acceptance speech. Very class of Durbin.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:56 am
Top 3 winners in my book

1- Rauner (goes without saying)
2- Tim Schneider & Jack Dorgan– remember how split the IL GOP was after 2012? You saw candidates up and down the ballot this cycle embracing Bruce Rauner.
3- Mike Bost– how ’bout that margin of victory?

Comment by Lunchbox Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 11:56 am
Anon: Rauner will be halfway through. There are no breaks from the campaign trail anymore. Rauners re-election bid started this morning.

Comment by Super CFL Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:00 pm
How about some love for soon to be State Rep Carol Ammons, a new firebrand that won by 24 percent in an open seat & wave year? Outperformed her predecessor’s 2010 numbers when she was an incumbent.

Comment by Champaign Lover Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:01 pm
Let’s not lose sight that Rauner’s biggest advantage was his collective wealth and a flawed opponent in a big GOP year- $50+ million that we know of. With that kind of money, talent or lack thereof can be easily disguised.

Also keep in mind that Kirk barely won his last General Election against a very flawed candidate in Giannoulias. Just saying – let’s keep this in perspective. But kudos to the victor none the less.

I think the real talent still lies with the Madigan team. Maintaining the House without one lose (presumably) despite all the money that was thrown into the game by the GOP and special interests groups that is a story!

Time will tell if Rauner will continue to use his money to entice members to vote his way and/or if he will continue funding the GOP and/or if he starts to place his youngness’ into the GOP infrastructure. Should be an interesting run to say the least.

Wonder why Kirk and Durbin didn’t invite Madigan and Cullerton to the gathering???

Comment by 2 Cents... Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:01 pm
### OFFICIAL OSWEGO WILLY WRITE-IN FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN STATEMENT ###

11/5/2014

Oswego Willy, popularly recruited write-in candidate for Illinois governor released the following statement to Governor-elect Bruce Rauner.

“Congratulations on being elected the 42nd governor of our state. I wish you the sincere best wishes as you take the oath in January to lead Illinois for the next four years.

The challenges will be many, and I know your heart and love for this state will guide you in your job as our Executive in government.

While you didn’t earn my vote, you earned my respect as our elected governor, and while there will be times I disagree, I look forward to the times I can follow your lead to make a better Illinois for us all.

Campaigning is hard, but governing is difficult. Many things will not be easy. Leaders I respect most are the ones I disagree with, but I know that the place they come from in the decisions they make for us all have our best interests at heart, even if getting where you lead may not be my first choice.

As you prepare your new administration, keep close to your heart your words you ran on, and if you keep Illinois as your constant concern, you will not fail, but succeed in leading from your leadership, not the title that allows it.

Congratulations, and congratulations to you and your campaign Crew and the thousands of volunteers that made your win possible.

It was a huge effort, led by you Governor-Elect Rauner, with leadership and teamwork.

Governing has the attributes too, and I look forward to that success story too.

With respect,

OW”

###

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:05 pm
Now, having gone 0-2 as campaign manager, I will announce my second retirement. This one from the field of campaign management.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:08 pm
Rauner - Obvious
Madigan - Still calling the shots; the super-majority now comes in handy.
Manar & House Dems in contested races - Considering the environment, all winning is huge. Path to a statewide office is there for Manar now.

Rahm? - A lot of Chicago voters staying home could be good, people are indifferent. But the same time, upset voters staying home instead of going out there and voting for Quinn might be horrible news for Rahm.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:10 pm
Ken Griffin

Comment by Person 8 Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:12 pm
Lisa Madigan - Speaker Madigan might be ready to retire in 4 years and she won’t have to primary a sitting governor.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:14 pm
US Senator Mark Kirk (R) is a big winner because he made a difference in terms of the endorsements that he made for Dold and Rauner. In his recent public appearances, Kirk looks better than he has since suffering a stroke. He appears stronger and more focused.

I would also add that former Governor Jim Edgar looks to be the elder statesman of the Illinois Republicans. His activities over the final swing helped Rauner. Former Governor Jim Thompson does not seem to be as engaged in politics as much. His name does appear on committee lists and he has represented Governor George Ryan, but Edgar seems to be the one that the media gravitates to now.

Comment by Under Further Review Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:16 pm
Thanks - Norseman -, you had a shoddy candidate.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:23 pm
Lisa Madigan - the voters still love her

Comment by Enviro Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:27 pm
People who speak in declarative sentences and stand for something, no matter how reactionary, idiosyncratic or kneejerk it may be. Exhibit A; Mike Bost.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:27 pm
Local TV stations! The amount of advertising dollars spent on all sides was huge, if not obscene.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:35 pm
Grace Potter. iTunes downloads are through the roof after making multiple appearances on the “Good Morning” playlist.

Comment by Slugger O'Toole Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:39 pm
Carol Ammons-beat a Madigan protege in Dem Primary, and won by a wide margin in general. Ran a positive campaign too. Kudos to her.

Mike Bost-yeah he is a little crazy, but his constituents seem to like that and he triumphed over a bland incumbent.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:41 pm
@ GOP… not sure how the IMA is a “loser” when you say they were in early with Rauner and donated big $. Seems to me like they were a winner because they were first ones in and their candidate won.

Comment by 1776 Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:46 pm
Madigan - not only a ready-made foil in a new GOP Gov but a chance to set the stage for Gov. Lisa Madigan by playing 7-dimensional chess against a guy who has yet to show he can think on his feet. (Mark Kirk won’t always be there to give Brucey political advice)

HDems and SDems - “You want that painful legislation to pass Gov. Rauner? We’ll give you a few votes but you need to squeeze Durkin and Radogno to get your majority…. And we dare you to veto Democratic priorities.”

Runner-up: millionaire conservatives. Buying elections just got easier.

Comment by A. Nonymous Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:47 pm
All of us, for not having to witness Rich kiss some wacky pollster’s butt.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:48 pm
OW, I don’t think you should beat yourself up that much. A successful group always needs a cantankerous person to disagree with everything. Make the rest of the group defend and refine their position. Point out flaws in the strategy. This is old school Sun Tzu stuff. The battle should be decided before it is even begun. In an indirect way, assuming the Rauner crew reads the comments here, you probably made them stronger. Kudos. It also takes guts to admit you were wrong. Wish we could say the same about the outgoing governor.

As for winners, Sen. Kirk, absolutely. He gets to live in the influential ideological middle of the Senate, and have a real power when it comes to legislation.

Moderate GOP members won big. After a string of uber-conservative statewide candidate losses, they show that IL can actually elect Republicans. Ideology is nice, but winning is nicer.

Speaker Madigan survives another national wave with nary a loss. That’s insane.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:50 pm
Anon 12:47 , congrats for being first to raise the never-ending Lisa for governor conspiracy.

You do recall she said she didn’t run this time because of her old man?

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:52 pm
Also, I think the overwhelming number of newspaper endorsements helped Rauner. As did Jim Edgar at the end. We’re still a “we don’t want nobody what nobody sent” state, after all.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:53 pm
@NOrseman

A very moving concession speech for the late, great OW political career.

You just forgot one thing; ending the statement with “DOPE!”

Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:56 pm
- ChrisB -, thanks, and thanks for comprehending what you read. Still gotta eat it, gotta own it.

- Arizona Bob -,

I call myself a Dope often. I am not new to being a Dope. I can guarantee, I’ll be a Dope again, and even again.

You usually get one chance to show grace and humility.

I would’ve thought you’d know the difference.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:05 pm
Dear Mr. Miller:

Nice recognition to Jim Edgar. Very classy of you to say something after many of the less than charitable remarks made by other commenters here prior to the election. I know…supposed to have thick skin and all for a campaign. The former governor dressed up in his suit and tie and put his best foot forward to appeal to voters downstate. That’s a heck of a guy.

Comment by anonymoose Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:11 pm
Rauner & Madigan are tied for “MVP” of this year’s election. Mike Bost comes in at a close 3rd.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:33 pm
Ken Griffin. Richest person in IL now has a direct line to the governor.

Comment by Jose Abreu's next homer Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:42 pm
Rich people… duh.

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:00 pm
Winners: OR, DC, and Alaska.

Rauner, too, but I think I’ll have a better appreciation of Edgar AND Quinn by the time 2018 rolls around.

Comment by Kasich Walker, Jr. Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:15 pm
“…Kirk is my “biggest winner” of 2014. And he’ll need a strong gubernatorial ally to help fend off the right wing and the Democrats in 2016, if he decides to run again.”

Mark Kirk has said that he plans on seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate.

Comment by commenter Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:00 pm
Madigan
Madigan
anyone who dislikes Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:05 pm
Rich I don’t get how you’ can say Kirk is a winner last night. Also, not sure Gov Rauner helps Kirk. Mike Z, Lance, Andrew Weissert, Ed Murphy, Aaron Winters, Richard Goldberg, Barret Kedzior Z were all critical to Kirk’s 2010 Victory and I don’t see them going back for a 2016 run. Add to that, Kirk’s longtime chief and campaign manager Eric Elk leaving Kirk, now 2016 could be looking rough for the Jr. Senator

Comment by Fighter of Foo Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:24 pm
Deb Conroy….The only Democrat whose district is completely within DuPage to win….(Madigan, White, Duckworth, Conroy, and Mussman were the only Democrats carried by DuPage)

Another winner ….Jesse White!!! I know his win comes as no surprise, but…..

Comment by DuPage Grandma Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 4:10 pm
Biggest loser,anyone who runs for Gov. Without 50 million in the hopper

Comment by Joe Black Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 4:33 pm
Winners: These congresscritters go/went to work every day and truly looked to improve the lives of their constituents. Bustos made sure to vote in favor of the farmers in her area, Davis negotiated the farm bill and worked closely with educators, and Dold is a moderate on social issues and fiscal conservative who was sent back. These critters truly earned their reelection, and show that good representation no matter the party will be rewarded.

1. Bustos
2. Davis
3. Dold

Comment by modest proposal Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 5:09 pm
Moderate Republicans won, while the right-wing embraced a pro-choice and pro marriage equality gubernatorial candidate. Even Oberweis moved to the center.

Madigan and Cullerton will have Republicans to share the blame for any tax hikes or unpopular votes that Rauner favors.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 6:04 pm