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Big bucks reported by Zopp, Raja

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Illinois

Ka-ching!

Dem U.S. Senate candidate Andrea “Andy” Zopp, whose resume reads like a corporate bible, is hitting the big money key on the cash register!

Sneed hears Zopp, the former president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, has raised over $665,000 since she announced in May her candidacy for the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.

“I think that’s enough to show we are credible and that this is a real campaign,” said Zopp, who will be running against U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a wounded Iraq War veteran, in the Dem primary.

“It’s a big race and we have to be able to compete and show we are going to be able to raise money in order to be effective in this race,” said Zopp, who held 17 fundraisers in the past two weeks.

She’s been in this thing for a while, so she undoubtedly got some pledges early on during her exploration. Plus, we don’t know yet how much of this is for the primary and for the general. Lots of times, wealthy backers max out for both up front.

Even so, not bad at all.

* Press release…

Raja Krishnamoorthi announced today he has raised more than $600,000 for his campaign for Congress in the 8th Congressional District of Illinois that includes the northwest Chicago suburbs.

Raja has raised the amount in a single fundraising quarter since he formally filed his paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission in April to run to replace Rep. Tammy Duckworth in Congress.

“The outpouring of support will allow our campaign to have the resources to share our message of helping more Americans find good jobs and economic security in a changing world,” Krishnamoorthi said.

The eye-popping fundraising amount collected in three months builds on the impressive political support of more than 70 Democratic leaders and activists throughout the Chicago suburbs and Illinois backing Krishnamoorthi for Congress.

Today’s fundraising news comes on the heels of Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL 9th District) and Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL 4th District) endorsing Raja for Congress. In addition to a total of six Members of Congress backing Krishnamoorthi, other key supporters include State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-28th District) and State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-46th District).

Same caveats as above, but, again, pretty darned good.

* By the way, did any of you catch any of these recent fundraising appeals?

Brad Schneider…

I know that if we don’t hit our goal, we’ll become the number 1 target for the Republicans.

Just $1,033 to go — Rich, I’m really hoping you can chip in:

Duckworth…

I’m at the office, refreshing our fundraising stats constantly before tonight’s big FEC fundraising deadline at midnight, and I’m seeing that we’re still $3,567 short of our online goal.

If just 242 of you pitch in during the next few hours, I think we can make it, and show Mark Kirk and his Super PAC allies that we’re ready for this race. Can I count on you to contribute now?

Susana Mendoza…

We are now only $2,603 away from our fundraising goal for the quarter, which is incredible!

Can you contribute before midnight tonight to get us over the top?

Only $2,603 to go. Every little bit helps!

Nancy Rotering…

In just a few hours, the second quarter FEC filing deadline will be here. We have seen an incredible response and are rapidly approaching our goals for the quarter.

Right now, we are just $1,718 away from reaching our grassroots goal. Help us prove that our campaign has what it takes to win and put us over the line. >>>CONTRIBUTE TODAY!

Tom Cullerton…

We’re getting a tremendous response from our list! We’re only $1,315 away from our goal. I know we are sending you a lot of email today, but this deadline is critical.

Can you join me in supporting Tom’s campaign with a $10 contribution right now?

This is all based on research that makes those goals look more believable and reachable and, therefore, encourages donors to act.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 1:55 pm

Comments

AA hears that Zopp has scrubbed “Trustee, Chcago Teachers Pension Fund,” from her bio.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:00 pm
6 more subscribers by the end of business today will keep the beer cold over the weekend…
Can I count on you?

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:00 pm
Artie, wouldn’t you? lol.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:01 pm
–Zopp, whose resume reads like a corporate Bible…..–

Every time. What is a “corporate Bible?” Is that a good thing?

Zopp has definitely won the Sneed primary. What does that get you?

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:13 pm
If 242 people donate $14.74 each Duckworth will reach her goal. Odd numbers…

Comment by Stu Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:15 pm
===We’re getting a tremendous response from our list!===
Oops. Not sure that calling potential donors “our list” (in an email to them) is based on best practice research.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:16 pm
===What does that get you?===

Regular mentions on Page 2 and even more regular criticism from you. lol

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:16 pm
I guess it’s good that Zopp put this out there now instead of putting out a presumably weaker number than Duckworth after Duckworth’s numbers come out. Get ahead of the curve with the “credible” aspect.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:18 pm
Guy, you’re hitting the wine coolers early and seeing things.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:21 pm
Fundraising statements like these remind me of the Jerry Lewis telethon.

Comment by a drop in Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:21 pm
=== Wordslinger - Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:21 pm:

Guy, you’re hitting the wine coolers early and seeing things.===

Dude, you’ve said plenty of rude things over time, but….wine coolers???

You’re way out of bounds.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Amazing numbers by Raja camp! How can Cullerton/Noland catch up? We already know DCCC priorities are not for Cullerton/Noland - what’s the possible path the victory for them? Some thoughts all Illinois Democrats need to consider.

Comment by Evan J Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 2:57 pm
Geez, Evan, do you really think that’s effective?

I don’t have a horse in the race, but campaigns that do the faux “objective analysis” are embarrassing.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:04 pm
With just four simple payments of $99, you can help me reach my fundraising goal, but that’s not all! You’ll also make sure I’m not the Republicans number 1 target. Not only that, but you will also prove we have what it takes to win AND show we’re getting a fabulous response from our list. Act now, operators are standing by. And if you contribute before our reporting period is over, I will also host your child’s birthday party….

Comment by Century Club Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:14 pm
Fundraising totals speak volumes about organization, supporters, and momentum. Woodslinger - its not about a horse in the race. It’s about reading the numbers to understand the race. IL-08 is going to be competitive for sure.

Comment by Ben Belcaster Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:24 pm
Good point by Rich on the primary/general money breakdown that will come out when candidates file their FEC reports, but that issue is in play for all of these federal candidates.

Definitely impressive numbers posted by both Zopp and Raja. I would think that Tammy beats Zopp’s number and may be waiting until after the 4th of July to put out her number and get more of a press bump. If Noland or TCullerton beat Raja’s number, I don’t see why they would wait to say so, but maybe I’m wrong about that.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:24 pm
Not going to lie - surprised Tom Cullerton has been doing so poorly since he announced. Noland is nowhere to be seen. Rumors have it that IL Senate Dems are becoming more and more frustrated with Tom’s campaign. Rich reported it a few days ago.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:26 pm
LOL Word.

I’m actually a fan of Raja. From an immigrant family, he seems to know his stuff, and he has a reputation for working hard.

Tell us more about one of those things please next time Congressional Races come up here, Evan, rather than asking all Illinois Democrats to consider silly analysis.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:26 pm
IL08 is going to be a great race. Raja numbers are impressive.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Bruce - we have a big opportunity in the 2016 primary when it comes to turnout. DCCC obviously has some intentions for Illinois but Illinois Dems need to consider how we can be helpful in taking back the house. Poor fundraising totals doesn’t help anyone and invites Republicans which leads to expensive generals. Not poor analysis Bruce.

Comment by Evan J Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:31 pm
Where’s Noland in IL08? Seems like this is between Raja and Cullerton. Obvious, Raja is the favorite here.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:36 pm
We’ve seen this movie before and sequels are usually never better than the first.

Raja can raise a crazy amount of money, but has a hard time closing. He out spent Miller 2 to 1 and lost. He went dollar for dollar with Tammy and got trounced. His fundraising numbers are not surprising but a win here will be.

The question does either Noland or Cullerton drop? They are drawing from the same fundraising wells which can not be good for either campaign. Also, the electoral calculus is a lot better for Raja with two legislators in the race.

Comment by Come on man! Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:59 pm
As a Southern Illinois Democrat I was extremely impressed with Raja when he was running state wide previously. Wish I could vote for him - should be an interesting primary.

Comment by illini Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:23 pm
Let’s not reduce competitive illinois primaries to movies & sequels. This is probably one of the most competitive primaries in the 2016 cycles. Like with any movie, let’s talk about the back story.

In the previous two elections, Raja has surprised and surpassed expectations. In the comptroller race - beating a fundraising record and double endorsements by Trib/SunTimes. In his first congressional race - amazing fundraising totals a candidate with significant political heavyweights (Rahm/Durbin) on her side.

But let’s look at Cullerton and Noland. We already know DCCC shares no enthusiasm for the Cullerton bid and find him more of a thorn with his threats of an expensive primary. IL Senate Dems are annoyed with another Senate Dem not 100% in the Springfield games during the summer. Cullerton has alot of pressures against him that don’t prove helpful in a competitive primary.

Comment by Let's Be Honest Friday, Jul 10, 15 @ 10:26 am