Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Munger levels new “pay to play” allegation at Mendoza

Posted in:

Illinois

* NBC 5 interviewed Comptroller Leslie Munger and she unveiled a new line of attack against her Democratic opponent Susana Mendoza…

Munger noted that her opponent has gotten substantial donations from unions and special interests. Additionally, the comptroller claimed Mendoza has received contributions from companies that she gave contracts to during her time as Chicago city clerk.

“She is getting donations and funding from organizations who she owes or does business with to benefit them,” Munger said. “So there’s definitely a pay-to play, quid pro quo-thing going on there.”

The Mendoza responded to the claims Tuesday afternoon, placing the onus on Munger for shattering the race’s fundraising limits.

“Susana has been in full legal compliance with both city and state limits,” Mendoza campaign manager Lauren Peters said in a statement. “It was Comptroller Munger who broke the cap so she could receive unlimited funds, including just receiving $5 million from two billionaire donors who are close friends of Governor Rauner, one of which has a contract with the state. The only quid pro quo here is that if Munger is re-elected, the comptroller’s office will continue to be a wholly owned subsidiary of the governor’s office, not the independent fiscal watchdog Illinois taxpayers need.”

Think that’ll be an effective TV ad? Remember, Munger now has $5 million to play with. She can probably afford to run two messaging tracks (positive and negative) at the same time.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 9:57 am

Comments

Mendoza’s Crew won’t know what hit them.

Like I said, “see me in 2 weeks”

Munger is 8 points down, with 22% undecided and $5 million in the back… against Mendoza’s Crew?

It’s Munger’s to lose.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 10:05 am
With thoughtful, effective messaging by Munger, the money and bodies of the dem party will be in the 20th and not on the Mendoza camp with a few weeks left. I’m curious to see how the Munger camp utilizes the money with these ads. Time will tell…

Comment by thoughtful Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 10:07 am
Ron Gidwitz former employee is as independent as a hog on ice

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 10:20 am
OW

See you in 2 weeks. Youre under the impression that elections can always be bought. Remember in the primaries that Rauner spent millions yet still lost big.

Comment by Mal Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 10:34 am
The Wingman will need the $5 mill and more just to keep the twin anchors(Trump and BigBrain) from dragging her under more….She is just another 1%er who cuts commercials confirmin’ her 1% status. At least BigBrain tries to play the biker card.
Remember she failed to win an GA seat in a GOPie district.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 10:38 am
Annonin

Munger lost in 59. That’s hardly a GOP district. Sid Matthias met his demise there IIRC.

Comment by train111 Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 10:45 am
- Mal -

I see you Chirping, I also know that 2 weeks to make up 8 points is possible with that type of saturation. Denying that is a mistake.

I also made clear that this is a gamble, according I would’ve thought August 15ish made more sense, but I wasn’t ignorant or oblivious as to why Munger’s Crew sat on the ball on breaking the cap ceiling.

This is a statewide race. Mendoza needs to do “something” before Mendoza is buried.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 10:48 am
OW

I wouldnt underestemiate Mendoza. Obviously Munger is more desperate which is why she broke campaign caps. Maybe they know Mendoza was leading.

Comment by Mal Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:02 am
===I wouldnt underestemiate Mendoza===

The “Barr” is pretty low for that Crew. Just sayin’

===Obviously Munger is more desperate which is why she broke campaign caps.===

Nah. That’s wishful thinking. They could’ve broken the caps weeks and weeks ago, but by sitting on the ball until 5 1/2 weeks out, it now makes it quite difficult for Mendoza to match dollar to dollar in saturating Ads, and Munger can get 7-figures now with a 7-digit phone call or text. Please keep up as to the why things happen, not what you hope they acually mean.

===Maybe they know Mendoza was leading.===

If Mendoza wasn’t leading with a POTUS voting universe and Munger’s name ID about where Mendoza’s is, I’d be more worried about Mendoza, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:07 am
OW

Again I assure you that the Mendoza camp knew the caps would be lifted knowing that Rauner was involved. Youre still underestimating. If the bar was so low for that camp she would not be leading in the poll.

Comment by Mal Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:16 am
===Again I assure you that the Mendoza camp knew the caps would be lifted knowing that Rauner was involved===

That was never in question. Ever.

The question was how soon Munger would let that happen.

===Youre still underestimating. If the bar was so low for that camp she would not be leading in the poll.===

Hmm.

Look where Clinton leads, look where Duckworth is at, then look at the drop off to Mendoza… and then there’s that pesky 22% undecided hanging out there with Ad after Ad after Ad with Munger.

Now add these possible negative Ads, and the fact that Munger can (oh, and will) go two-prong, positive and negative.

That 8 point lead with 22% undecided? That’s a worry, given now where Munger IS at with cash and message

“See me in 2 weeks”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:21 am
Ow

That didnt have to be in question. Youre under the impression that the Mendoza camp was totally unaware of especially right after Mungers husband loaned her campaign money to lift the caps. Mendoza has lots of campaign experience and Im sure her camp has a plan. Again, youre underestimating.

Before Mendoza decided to run im sure hee camp knew Rauner would have millions donated in this particular race.

Btw those undecided voters are probably not even paying attention to the comptrollers race and will only decide based on the party of their presidential candidate.

Comment by Mal Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:37 am
===That didnt have to be in question. Youre under the impression that the Mendoza camp was totally unaware of especially right after Mungers husband loaned her campaign money to lift the caps. Mendoza has lots of campaign experience and Im sure her camp has a plan. Again, youre underestimating===

Cite please? Where have I given that impression.

Be very specific.

I said or gave no statement like that.

You’re credibility with me is waning.

===Before Mendoza decided to run im sure hee camp knew Rauner would have millions donated in this particular race===

Everyone did. This isn’t David Axelrod stuff. You’re point of genius has… no point.

===Btw those undecided voters are probably not even paying attention to the comptrollers race and will only decide based on the party of their presidential candidate===

But, but, but… Mendoza is working so hard.

You want to hang your hat on those breaking “her way” after 2 weeks of saturation?

If “ifs and buts”…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:42 am
OW

You only proved that your original post is irrelevant.

Comment by Mal Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:46 am
How so?

Use your words.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:47 am
As opposed to Munger’s “You have to play to get paid”

Comment by Empty Suit Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:48 am
===As opposed to Munger’s “You have to play to get paid”===

That’s the other shoe, isn’t it?

Munger breaking statute by the day and date to pay the legislature for a criteria it sport as her Chief of Staff must “reassess” as members like Sen. Murphy walk away as Munger breaks her oath to pay legislators?

Wonder why there’s such a break and assurance one branch can’t withhold pay against another?

Wonder why, with no budget but a signed stopgap, all other state workers are paid?

Munger’s Ad is a “Solid B”, it’s good. It does what it’s suppose to do.

The Ad in fact, like with Quinn and his stunt is an “F”

But, thems the breaks. Let’s not forget Mendoza would’ve done it earlier.

Ugh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:55 am
OW @11:55 am
+1

This election is a really sad state of affairs. Race to the bottom.
Munger says pay to play. So whats the definition of withholding salaries until she deems the job is done? Dangerous stuff.

Comment by sideline watcher Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:23 pm
-The Mendoza [camp?] responded to the claims Tuesday afternoon-

No they really didn’t. Looks like they talked about something else.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:50 pm
==As opposed to Munger’s “You have to play to get paid”==

On this blog sits what I think would be a winning message for Mendoza, if only she’d capitalize on it. Legislators wouldn’t do Rauner’s bidding won’t get paid (potentially in violation of the state constitution) seems to me to be much higher on the “quid pro quo” scale than inferences based on campaign contributions.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm
Munger can afford two tracks. The “No Budget No Pay” is a winner.

The second track should be more about being beholden to the Dem power brokers, than to County vendors. The latter is too hard to follow.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Stu Levine and the Teacher’s Retirement System racketterin’. Ha ha.

Comment by yeah Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 3:36 pm
Wouldn’t rauner’s $$$ be a “special interest”, exactly what Munger is accusing Mendoza of…

Comment by Property of IDOC Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 9:11 pm
Paid to play with your pay,promised funding is called a contract not a suggestion

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:36 pm
Mr munger paid so mrs munger can play with other peoples money

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Oct 6, 16 @ 1:51 am