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* UPDATED x1 - Kennedy campaign responds * Pritzker pumps another $7 million into his campaign

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Billionaire entrepreneur and investor J.B. Pritzker pumped another $7 million into his self-funded campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor. So far, Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotels family fortune, has put all $21.2 million into his race for the nomination. State Board of Election reports show the latest donation was reported Saturday. With the March primary still months away, Pritzker already is approaching at least one state record — the most money spent by a Democratic candidate on himself in a primary. Right now, the record is the $29 million that commodities trader Blair Hull spent from his wallet in 2004, only to finish third in a primary contest for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination won by eventual president Barack Obama.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner spent nearly $28 million of his own money to win the primary and the governor’s office in 2014. The former equity investor also made the largest ever self-donation to a political campaign in Illinois when he put $50 million into his re-election bid in December of last year. That number could end up as its own primary record.

* Neil Steinberg adds some color commentary…

I can’t get excited about the governor’s race. The election is 15 months away. Plus, I have a sinking certainty in my gut how it all turns out: the cash Death Star of J.B. Pritzker vaporizes both Biss and Kennedy — a Charlie Brown cry of “How can we lose when we’re so sincere?” and then a pile of ash blown away by the wind.

In November 2018, assuming the country hasn’t devolved into anarchy by then, Pritzker loses to Gov. Bruce Rauner, because the disgust Chicagoans feel at Rauner’s whole C. Montgomery Burns act, his disdain for the poor and the sick, evaporates past the cornfields ringing the city.

There people see a gaunt successful businessman in a Carhartt jacket, droppin’ his Gs, squintin’, bravely battlin’ an alien overlord named My-Kill Mad-Again, who certainly demonizes up well. I don’t think there is enough TV commercial airtime in the world to make people in Kane County look up from their plows and muse, “You know, maybe I’ll vote for the big fat Jewish billionaire.” I hope I’m wrong, hope that this is fat-shaming and self-hatred on my part. Somebody ought to replace this GOP zealot who can’t wrap his head around the fact that the first six letters of the word “governor” spell “govern.”

But if you’ve noticed, we have sailed into a world where unqualified sneering rich guys try to fill the gaping voids where their souls should be by rolling up their sleeves and taking a fling at public office. Not that I put Kennedy in that group. He’s a principled, idealistic, thoughtful man who doesn’t realize that those qualities are now liabilities.

*** UPDATE *** Kennedy campaign fundraising email…

J.B. Pritzker is spending more than $100,000 a day. And he just gave himself another $7 million for his campaign. So far, Pritzker has self-funded his campaign with over $21 million.

Last month, he spent over $8 million on a television and direct mail blitz, while Chris spent zero dollars on paid communications. The result — Chris is still ahead in the polls. It shows that the people of Illinois are tired of being unheard and don’t want another self-funded billionaire in office.

Let me be clear: Pritzker might have billions to self-fund his campaign, but what he doesn’t have is an organic groundswell of support from the people of Illinois.

That is why I’m asking for you to make a $5 contribution to show the strength of our movement. Send a message to Pritzker that our beliefs are bigger than his billions.

There’s only one J.B. Pritzker but there are over 5,000 of us who have contributed to bringing radical change to Illinois. And, over 90% of those contributions were under $100. Your contribution, whether it’s $1 or $100, represents a more significant donation and sacrifice than whatever one billionaire businessman is willing to put into this race.

Our opponents, both Pritzker and Rauner, have money and plenty of it. But what we have is much more important that. We have a groundswell of voters, supporters and volunteers. The reason we will take back Illinois and fix Springfield is because people matter more than their money. Your voice matters more than their bank accounts.

Our campaign is about restoring opportunity back to Illinois and that is only possible when we stand together. Can you make a $5 contribution to join our campaign?

Thank you,
Hanah Jubeh
Senior Advisor
Kennedy for Illinois

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 9:20 am

Comments

I saw Kennedy speak this weekend. I’m not sure what his principles are besides “Use 10 words where 1 would do”.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 9:25 am
To the Post,

There was a big difference when Rauner showed up 3 years ago… and now with Pritzker this year… to, let’s say a Blair Hull.

Both Rauner, who won his primary and then went on to victory that November, and Pritzker now… the recognize the value of the monies they invest in these endeavors by…

Looking at political infrastructure
Continued messaging
Continued negative framing of a sitting failed incumbent
Rapid, real time response to political happenings
Creating their own “organization” while tearing away at the fringes

A Blair Hull was never about understanding how campaigns ate built to win, a Blair Hull was consumed with spending money to try to go from irrelevancy to possible contender, beginning and ending, and everything in between, with money.

The biggest mistake that Rutherford, Dillard, and Brady made was ignoring that the money Rauner was using was also being invested in a winning strategy to actually get votes voted.

Quinn failed… well, because “Pat Quinn failed”

Pritzker has a very competent Comms Crew, and you can truly measure growth within what they’re trying to do there. They’ve been stellar within a planned message, they’re getting better, right before our eyes in understanding rapid response and finding sweet spots to respond and highlight that Bruce Rauner fails, and party of that Rauner failing is the continued use of stale talking points.

Now, Rauner “lost” Z, and in Z’s place is Proft’s “person” who just a cycle ago, Matt Besler’s organization sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to Ken Dunkin. That’s who Matt Besler and Dan Proft are, and will that be enough for Rauner to face… “Skyhook, in reverse”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 9:33 am
Does Steinberg really think there are still a lot of farmers in Kane County? He needs to get out a bit more.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 9:38 am
== principled, idealistic, thoughtful…those qualities are now liabilities. ==

Steinberg might be on to something. Each of those qualities describe the growing number of General Assembly members who have announced they’re stepping down. “Those qualities are now liabilities.” Maybe that’s why they’re leaving.

Comment by Roman Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 9:50 am
When your opponents are (amazingly) less likable than you, you win the election. Rauner will have spent nearly $100 million on his own ego, and if he wins, what exactly has he won? He hasn’t really gotten much for his money, unless his goal is to be the worst governor ever - anywhere - then he wins big time. That would be the ultimate display of F-U money, and what a jolly, glass clinking chuckle for the elite wine sippers in Bruce’s circle.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 9:53 am
Steinberg seems to lack understanding that metropolitanism and xenophobia aren’t mutually exclusive..
What if a downstater wrote about Chicago in such broad generalizations?

Comment by DrurysMissingClock Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 9:55 am
==Does Steinberg really think there are still a lot of farmers in Kane County?==

More farmers there than in Northbrook or the 47th Ward. When you read the signs at the Farmer’s markets every weekend, you’d swear all the agriculture is in Kane County. lol

Comment by A guy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:03 am
If Rauner is re-elected over 90 percent of his voters will be white republican. I have noticed his supporters are not a diverse crowd.

Comment by Real Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:07 am
===. I have noticed his supporters are not a diverse crowd===

Go take a look at the IPI Leadership/Staff pages. Similar story.

Comment by Dublin Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:12 am
==Go take a look at the IPI Leadership/Staff pages. Similar story.==

Or the Leadership/Staff pages of any labor union that endorsed JB. Similar story.

Comment by City Zen Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:20 am
===Or the Leadership/Staff pages of any labor union that endorsed JB. Similar story.===

You mean those unions that have minority based training programs and provide liveable wages and benefits to those groups?

And go ahead and take a look yourself - AFSCME, CTU, Bricklayers, etc… - Fair amount of minorities in their leadership positions.

Comment by Dublin Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:31 am
Or the Leadership/Staff pages of any labor union that endorsed JB. Similar story.=======

At least those Unions still fight for the wages, rights, benefits, and protetiobs of all people. You can’t say the same for Rauner.

Comment by Real Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:33 am
===When you read the signs at the Farmer’s markets every weekend===

I guess that’s all you do, read the signs at your farmer’s market. Agriculture makes up a whopping 0.8% of the Kane County economy.

If you’ve seen that many signs, you’ve probably met most of the farmers already guy.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:40 am
“Or the Leadership/Staff pages of any labor union that endorsed JB. Similar story.”

Yes, Jorge Ramirez is such a WASP.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:41 am
47, I live much closer to Kane Co. than you do. I get it dude. It was a joke, son. Some of the very best farmer’s markets there are, are in that area. They’re wonderful…so you’d hate ‘em.

Cleansing breath dude.

Comment by A guy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:51 am
Que Daniel Biss’s dank memes with JB’s Death Star in 3,2,1

Comment by Come on Man! Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 10:56 am
==And go ahead and take a look yourself - AFSCME, CTU…==

I must’ve missed their JB endorsements. And their jump into the private sector. Apologies.

==Yes, Jorge Ramirez is such a WASP.==

But where’s Jorgelina? Diversity isn’t just an old, old wooden ship.

Comment by City Zen Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 11:08 am
Kennedy went negative against the others. That is a cardinal party sin.

Comment by Flip357 Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 11:58 am
Pritzer better hope he can outspend on negatives. Between the Blago tapes and failing bank, he’s the type of corporate Dem that will find lukewarm support and a lot of anger.

Comment by ste_with_av_en Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 12:43 pm
===Pritzer better hope he can outspend on negatives. Between the Blago tapes and failing bank, he’s the type of corporate Dem that will find lukewarm support and a lot of anger.===

lol…

Rauner is polling 63% disapproval. Rauner has no signed budget, no successes is his agenda, he’s vetoed K-12 funding in a way that could evolve into total collapse… and you’re worried about… Pritzker?

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 1:08 pm
To the Kenndy update.

Their last filing, between raised and spent, just those members, they were at a 95% burn rate.

With that burn rate, their numbers were stagnant in polling, staying steady at 44%, but what was all that money spent on?

Kennedy wants to talk about “burn rate” numbers and polling… I dunno if a 95% burn rate and Pritzker still climbing the polls by spending on tv, mail, outreach… what is burning over $650K after raising $700K last quarter?

Highlighting poor campaign money management isn’t usually a best prong to fundraiser, but…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 2:28 pm
no one has the cash right now to go negative on pritzker- except Rauner- and why would he? he has to be licking his chops at getting the “Fat Jewish Billionaire” as Steinberg put it so well, in the general.

Comment by SwingVoter Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 2:29 pm
=== he has to be licking his chops at getting the “Fat Jewish Billionaire” as Steinberg put it so well===

And Quinn wanted to run against Rauner. And Carter preferred running against Reagan. Not comparing anybody to anybody. But in politics, it’s often “careful what you wish for.”

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Team Kennedy using this as a fundraising opportunity for themselves is a smart move. It accomplishes 2 things at once.

Comment by A guy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 2:35 pm
“and you’re worried about… Pritzker?”

If you’re argument it that he is better than Rauner because he isn’t Rauner…I’d be worried.

Comment by ste_with_av_en Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 2:49 pm
===If you’re argument it that he is better than Rauner because he isn’t Rauner…I’d be worried.===

“Pat Quinn failed”

I’ve seen that movie. I know how it ends.

Questions?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 2:51 pm
“I’ve seen that movie. I know how it ends.”

The one arguing to increase taxes loses.

Comment by ste_with_a_v_en Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 2:57 pm
===The one arguing to increase taxes loses.===

How a failed governor had no successes in the off-year of the same party holding the White House.

Keep up, you’ve seen that movie too.

In the sequel, the governor never funds any state agency, not a single state university, never pays any bills, and that’s just the budget that was overridden before petitions come out, LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 3:03 pm
Condescending much, Neil?

Comment by Responsa Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 3:30 pm
By the time the amateur extremists get done with Rauner in 16 months, 2018 ballot will have Dems very energized to push back, almost regardless of the nominee. If I were Rauner, I’m not sure I’d relish being on a ballot in Trump’s first mid-terms. They’re going to want to take action. It’s a very serious headwind, especially against a failed governor.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 3:44 pm
Rich -

I am old enough to recall when both John McCain and Jack! Ryan were looking forward to taking on Barack Obama.

No one is gonna care in 2018 that Pritzker is Jewish. It ain’t like Rauner is some world-class Christian.

Height is more determinative than weight, followed by hair color. My bet is that JB will not only lose weight throughout the campaign, but turn it into a positive demonstrating how hard he is working, like Mike Huckabee did. Unless he breaks into sweat during televised debate, JB is pretty much in command of his campaign image.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 4:09 pm
==My bet is that JB will not only lose weight throughout the campaign..===

Juvy, if you’re talking about more than 10-15 lbs, I’d take that bet. I may even take it straight up. This dude’s been running for quite a while already. Not seeing any evidence of him “losing” any baggage or weight.

Seriously, this should have already started happening. It hasn’t.

Comment by A guy Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 4:15 pm
Really Guy? That’s the issue? Hey - news flash. Fat guys sometimes get elected - even in the TV era. I promise people will vote for a fat guy over a total failure any day of the week.

Oh, and I could be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure he’s actually lost a lot of weight. Unfortunately for him, he’s never going to look like Brucifer.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 7, 17 @ 6:42 pm