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GOP plunks down $500K on cable this week alone

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Illinois

* And there’s plenty more where this came from…

The House Republican Organization, the campaign arm of the House GOP, is spending $301,511 [this week] while the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee is spending $189,795 [this week], the report shows.

Among the candidates benefiting is Rod Drobinski, of Wauconda, who will be airing more than 2,200 ads costing nearly $115,000. Drobinski is challenging Democratic Rep. Sam Yingling, of Grayslake. Yingling’s campaign is spending $86,405 to run more than 3,000 ads of its own.

Among Senate contests, Republican challenger Seth Lewis, of Bartlett, is benefiting from nearly $80,000 worth of ads in taking on Democratic state Sen. Tom Cullerton, of Villa Park.

Also getting nearly $80,000 worth of help is Republican Mike Amrozowicz, of Gurnee. He’s challenging Democratic state Sen. Melinda Bush, of Grayslake.

The full cable TV buy report is here.

* And keep in mind that the above total doesn’t include the big network TV buys in southern Illinois and Chicago…

Republicans dominated the top 10 transfers of [last] week, with money flowing out of Governor Rauner’s Candidate Committee, the House Republican Organization, and the Illinois Republican Party. Governor Rauner’s Candidate Committee transferred $5 million to the Illinois Republican Party last Thursday, which then transferred $2.3 million to the House Republican Organization and over $650,000 to the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee. The House Republican Organization was active with transfers in the Chicago area, giving over $400,000 to 20th District House candidate Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago), $85,000 to 62nd District House candidate Rod Drobinski (R-Wauconda) and $83,000 to 45th District House candidate Rep. Christine Winger (R-Wood Dale).

Rep. McAuliffe, who won his past two elections with over 60% of the vote, ran tv ads for the second straight week. According to the FCC, he spent over $70,000 for 82 spots on ABC, FOX, and NBC that started airing on Monday and will continue through Sunday. Rod Drobinski is challenging incumbent Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake), after suffering a defeat by Yingling in 2014 by a margin of 4% of the vote.

Emphasis added.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 9:34 am

Comments

Unless a seriously smart ground game exists that ties in Labor, Democrats, and those 1 million people effected by Rauner, Democratic legislators are going to be beaten, and beaten badly this time.

Remember, Rauner also wants Labor and Democrats “broke” (figuratively and financially) for 2018 and spending $500K to $1 million a week will do that.

The “bright spot”?

That’s easy.

“Vote Accordingly”

Ask Sen. Sam McCann.

“Vote Accordingly” and Trump’s numbers with suburban “mom” and moderates, might be “enough”… today… but so broke and broken tomorrow.

Are the Democrats and Labor ready to give “No Quarter”?

Are Democrats and Labor ready to formulate Sen. McCann-like coalitions and vote them?

Are social service advocates, patrons, and benefactors willing to “Vote Accordingly” too… and as these three groups “think” on this..,

… Rauner drops another $500K.

Lots of work to do to stop Raunerite expansion. Lots.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 9:44 am
I wonder if the people in the 20th House District are happy and totally comfortable that their representative is loved and appreciated by the Governor to the tune of $400K.

Since he’s an incumbent I would guess the majority of his constituents lean Republican. My real question is are those folks Republicans or Raunerites?

Will they vote Republican when and if “their Representative” votes with the Governor and against his own constituents?

Comment by Bluegrass Boy Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 10:51 am
Seriously, has anyone done studies to test the effectiveness of TV ads over time? In other words, do voters get turned off when they see an ad for candidate “A” hundreds of times before an election?

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 11:29 am
I don’t think is is going to be as bad for Democratic Legislators this time around as most think. Of all the challengers mentioned here they have lost. Losers have a track record. of you know, losing.

Candidate Recruitment on the Republican side was abysmal considering they have literally all the money they need. The GOP mathematically can not take back the Senate. In the House, the rag tag group of candidates running against targets make serious gains seem unlikely.

Comment by Come on man! Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 11:50 am
I have been saying for years that the GOP was going to outspend the Dems in 2016. A couple hundred up to 1000 tv points spending advantage over a couple months would be unprecedented and highly effective for the GOP candidates. It is a whole new ball game this cycle. The Dems won’t lose their majorities but kiss those super majorities good bye.

Comment by Rock Island Rocky Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 12:59 pm
== The Dems won’t lose their majorities but kiss those super majorities good bye. ==

Madigan would probably prefer to just have a simple majority anyway; can actually make it easier to pass bills with bi-partisan support.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 2:02 pm
RNUG….you sounds like a smart person.

Comment by scott aster Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 3:42 pm