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20 races at a million each

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Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner says he wants [Rob Meister] to consider running for Senate, and is willing to bankroll his campaign to the tune of about a million dollars.

“He told me very specifically that he has 20 million dollars and that he’s working to do a million for 20 races that he thinks are the most winnable,” said Meister, the 32-year-old owner of Minneci’s Ristorante in southwest Champaign, and an unsuccessful candidate for state representative in 2012. […]

Meister said he has met with Rauner a few times, the most recent being last month at the Executive Mansion. […]

Meister knows he’s not the only potential candidate on Rauner’s radar. The governor has talked to Urbana attorney Erika Harold as well.

If he runs, he’d be up against appointed state Sen. Scott Bennett, who took Mike Frerichs’ seat when Frerichs was elected treasurer.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:19 am

Comments

One of my favorite restaurants in Champaign. The business relocated to a new address a few years ago.

Comment by Under Further Review Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:22 am
Twenty races, at a million a race.

That would get Rauner close to his Raunerite Caucus pretty quick…

What will the voters say?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:26 am
Setting aside the partisan dynamics of this particular situation, if this was a wealthy Democrat proposing to do the same thing, it would be just as appalling. One or a handful of individuals of great wealth should not be able to purchase themselves a government.

Comment by Willie Stark Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:32 am
And Rauner will a few extra millions available, if needed. Voters don’t care about the money spent. They may complain, but it isn’t issue that will make up their minds on who to vote for. Evidence. Bruce Rauner.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
Are there 20 superstar candidates available? Money

Comment by Deep Yogurt Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:39 am
Money

Comment by Deep Yogurt Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:40 am
Not so good on the old putertron. Trying to use the “less than” symbol to say:

Money “less than” Map

Comment by Deep Yogurt Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:41 am
Just like Art Pope in North Carolina buying the entire state.

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:44 am
As a CU Republican here, Rob Meister was an incredibly weak candidate who was cited by the city for his poor business practices (violating his liquor license) and made mishap after mishap and looked like a total amateur when running against Jakobsson. Local GOP could do far better.

Comment by Gus Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:51 am
Local GOP could do far better, but they won’t because they are probably going to get lots of money from the Governor’s political funds. Why risk his wrath, if he wants Rob Meister, he is going to get Rob Meister.

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:53 am
There are no local party dynamics.

Rauner and his money will run races, from top down, picking the approved candidates, to spending and not spending money depending how quickly these candidates tune into Owls.

For a million dollars a seat, Rauner wants his trained Owls, free thinkers need not apply.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 9:57 am
Given the mess many local GOPers have made for themselves in recent years, especially the Johnson/Harold crew, I’m guessing the Rauner crew, staffed with many Rodney Davis supporters, will give much weight and deference to local opinion. \snark

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:03 am
Rauner has money to burn, and excess political staff who are good. They are loyal to him because they just might ride his coattails to bigger jobs in Washington.

Local Republicans can jump on the bus, or get run over.

We might see a bunch of candidates the local regulars never heard of.

Comment by walker Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:09 am
What’s more disgusting?
Meister’s non-customers making fake comments on Yelp or Rauner trying to buy elections?
Is it an issue that the information was made public?

Comment by Belle Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:10 am
The Illinois Republican Party is OWNED by one multimillionaire. Will there be any backlash to this? Will any Republican legislators stand up for their union constituents and others who helped elect them? Will there be any diminishing returns on the zillions spent by just a few multimillionaires and billionaires?

I’m wonderin’ whether some Republicans will vote for their constituents to override the governor’s veto of the union strike bill (per the belief that he will veto it).

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:15 am
Give him credit…Rauner puts his money where his mouth is, and his methods are not unlike those of MJM. Now the mapis not his friend, and that may well be his limitation. I’ll tell you what, Rauners like no other Republican that I can remember in the last 30 years.

Comment by Madison Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:15 am
Like Madigan allows free thinkers to be his candidates. Not.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:30 am
===Like Madigan allows free thinkers to be his candidates. Not.===

The Speaker requires two votes; One for Speaker for him, the other for the Speaker Rules of the Chamber.

There hasn’t been the “$&@#% problem” speech about an entire voting session.

Look at conceal carry and SSM; neither were 100% Dem votes.

Please. Learn.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:34 am
==What will the voters say?==

Unfortunately, probably much the same they have said about the Madigan Caucus and Cullerton Caucus for decades.

Nothing.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:35 am
Still searching for the 2012 wave of dirty tricks bein’ reported…Guessin’ the millionaire saved this for ole Tom….kinda like breakin’ your own windows or trashin’ your own car and blamin’ vandals. Another TeamBungle misfire

Comment by Anonin' Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:35 am
With that cash comes the burden of having to explain sugar daddy Bruce’s proposed 31 percent cut to the U of I and the Senate GOP’s proposal to privatize public universities.

Any college town Republican will have to play defense on these issues next year.

Comment by Fred Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:36 am
@Madison: So far Rauner’s methods are very unlike Madigan’s.

Madigan focuses entirely locally, micro-tailored campaigns, door-to-door canvassing, well-funded and expertly staffed. For instance, if an anti-Madigan message will work in the District, he encourages his local candidates to feel free to use it.

Rauner will greatly outspend him, but so far has focused on media, statewide standard messaging, and an anti-Madigan focus.

Rauner has so many resources, he might be able to learn and get micro as well. So far, not his peoples’ style.

Comment by walker Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 10:38 am
===Rauner has so many resources, he might be able to learn and get micro as well. So far, not his peoples’ style.===

Walk, they did do a little more of this than might be thought, but there’s a lot of room for improvement and expansion in this area. They do understand the value of it. They learn quickly as they go along and don’t get hung on strategic ideology. Money helps. It’s something we’re not used to having much of at the grass roots level. It’s a pleasant change.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:01 am
- A Guy -, you are right, but the failings of Rauner understanding the micro aspects of districts has a sample size, small as it might be.

If the messaging in the micro to be the air cover is “Chicago politicians”, for million a district, that ain’t cutting it.

I love House and Senate races, but if it boils down to macro ads at $750K in these districts, and MJM’s and Cullerton’s Crews keep it micro, tough ask, today.

It’s micro. Rauner’s Crew can do it, have the cash to do it, but this salvo is a fail.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:07 am
===Madigan focuses entirely locally, micro-tailored campaigns, door-to-door canvassing, well-funded and expertly staffed.===

Exactly, and I’d add that special attention to candidate recruitment is another top strength. Money is great, but spending the money wisely is something Team Madigan is head and shoulders above most campaign operations.

Rauner can easily spend $20 million on 20 races, but dumb campaign staffs can blow through that and more and still lose badly. It isn’t all about the money.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:21 am
How is this not illegal?

Comment by Shanks Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:25 am
===How is this not illegal? ===

Do you have a statutory cite or are you just venting?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:26 am
This is why small business owners don’t vote in primaries (heck a lot of other people too) much less participate in politics by becoming or supporting a candidate. Don’t oppose Madigan or he will attack you.

Comment by anon. Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:42 am
==- anon. - Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:42 am:==

Politics is adversarial by its very nature and its very definition.

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/politics

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:48 am
Something to consider:

All of the HRO candidates who were on the ballot at the same time as Bruce Rauner were “recruited” at a time when there was strike in the HRO and a new leader coming into the fray. Cross’s organization had eroded a bit, and Mr. Two Putt waffled so long on what to do that he kinda packed it in when it came to candidate recruitment. Durkin did what he could with what he had. And, quite frankly, a more streamlined effort might have resulted in picking up 3-4 seats.

Now that Team Rauner is firmly entrenched and on the same page and Leader Durkin, the HRO can work in tandem with the Governor’s political arm to help recruit candidates. That is critical.

And if Leader Radogno is willing to go along with a similar program and listen to someone else about recruiting, then she might be able to play in 4-5 seats as well.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 2:41 pm
Sorry - I meant to say when there was strife (not strike). I guess the HRO could go on strike.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 2:42 pm
Only took $1.2 million to buy lapdog Anderson over Mike Jacobs.

Comment by IL17Progressive Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 3:57 pm
Bruce has already put out nearly $100 million (maybe 1.5 years income) to purchase Illinois. The expenditures will continue to grow until Bruce is happy with his fiefdom and the Koch Bros don’t want it.

Comment by IL17Progressive Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 4:00 pm
Critical difference between Madigan and Rauner’s leadership styles: As OW points out, Madigan asks very little from his members, and doesn’t ask them (let alone require) them to take votes that are difficult for them politically or otherwise. And he wins elections. The result? Respect and loyalty. Rauner, on the other hand, tells Repubs they are with him or he will take them out, demands absolute obedience with no real promise of protection, and has forced them to follow a strategy with no clear end game by taking numerous present/or no votes on issues they themselves have campaigned on. The result? We’ll see.

Comment by Pepe Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 4:08 pm
IL17 -

I’m not going to get into a game of hyperbole with you, but I believe that Mike Jacobs and the Senate Dem Campaign Committee spent almost double what Neil Anderson and the Senate GOP Campaign Committee spent.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 4:10 pm
=== Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 11:07 am:

- A Guy -, you are right, but the failings of Rauner understanding the micro aspects of districts has a sample size, small as it might be.===

OW, there’s no arguing that this process has been the mother’s milk for success on the Dem side. But, in Rauner’s elections in both the primary and the general, the data system and collection of info on his side was far superior to anything the other side has.

Nothing beats a very reliable precinct captain. Period. But, those get spread pretty thin, far and wide when the field gets bigger. His soldiers might be the best as a group, but there aren’t enough of them for a statewide onslaught. MJM be choosing his battles carefully,moreso than before. He doesn’t have the “early money” decisive lead he’s always enjoyed. Some folks will be left out in the rain fending for themselves a lot earlier than has happened before.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 4:12 pm
- A Guy -

Macro. Micro.

Rauner needed to close margins, not win districts as well, while different task.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 4:18 pm
I know… Maybe the Governor should donate all those exorbitant administrative fees that his company collected over the years from TRS. Or donate the equivalent of the $25,000 he paid Stuart Levine, while Stu was a TRS Trustee. Maybe he could fess up about all those offshore shelters and comply with all Illinois tax statutes. That would probably go a long way.

Comment by like um... Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 6:09 pm
That was the equivalent of $25,000 a month to Stu Baby.

Comment by like um... Monday, Jun 8, 15 @ 6:11 pm