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Media flattery of Uihlein turns to criticism

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Illinois

* After fawning profiles in Politico, the New York Times, the Washington Post and National Review (among others), the media narrative may have shifted this week.

Yesterday…

It’s not even close.

No one had a worse Tuesday evening politically than Richard Uihlein.

The multimillionaire from Illinois — who has built a name nationally with his heavy campaign spending — dropped about $10.7 million through third-party groups trying to get Delafield businessman Kevin Nicholson the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. It wasn’t enough.

State Sen. Leah Vukmir outpaced Nicholson by more than 25,000 votes with a combination of shoe-leather campaigning and traditional party politics.

Just how much money did Uihlein throw at the race? Consider this: Some of the Uihlein-funded TV spots were still running in Milwaukee three hours after the polls closed and minutes after Vukmir was declared winner in that race.

* Today…

Richard Uihlein, a packing supply magnate and a descendant of one of the founders of the Schlitz beer company, has amassed one of the worst track records among mega-donors in recent years when it comes to backing winning candidates. […]

Among the other losing candidates that received Uihlein’s money: U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore in Alabama. […]

He bankrolled the majority of the campaign for Jeanne Ives, a conservative state representative who unsuccessfully challenged Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner for the Republican nomination in March, by sending her campaign $2.5 million. […]

Uihlein backed Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s brief 2016 presidential campaign, before supporting Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Both men lost the primary to President Donald Trump.

Not to mention all those state legislative races during the spring.

* Also today…

The two billionaire mega donors poured $1.25 million into a super PAC that was supposed to supercharge Chris McDaniel’s insurgent bid to be Mississippi’s next Republican senator.

A year later, much of the money from Illinois shipping supply CEO Richard Uihlein and New York financier Robert Mercer is gone. Only a fraction was spent reaching voters who could boost the former state lawmaker’s uphill battle against Cindy Hyde-Smith, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s preferred candidate in a November special election that will determine who finishes out retired GOP Sen. Thad Cochran’s term.

What the Remember Mississippi super PAC has provided, however, is a generous payday for at least 18 campaign consultants who received the lion’s share of the money, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission records.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 3:32 pm

Comments

Oh how the filthy rich do waste their money. Proft sure found himself a nice sugar daddy.

Comment by Flat Bed Ford Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 3:57 pm
Didn’t know about the Schlitz Beer connection. Uihlein’s dad must have taken advice from the Dan Proft of brewery consultants:

https://www.philcooke.com/the-schlitz-mistake-and-what-beer-can-teach-us-about-excellence/

Comment by Roman Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 3:58 pm
Wonder how much of the Mississippi money little Danny P grubbed onto. ??

Comment by Wow Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 3:59 pm
“shipping supply magnate”

Have you seen my stapler?

Comment by Ok Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 4:05 pm
–Consider this: Some of the Uihlein-funded TV spots were still running in Milwaukee three hours after the polls closed and minutes after Vukmir was declared winner in that race.–

Some media buy. Some pigeon.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 4:43 pm
It’s a good thing he had so much money to throw into the toilet.

#Money is not power…in the wrong hands.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 5:04 pm
In spite of or because of his spending he sure has changed the ILGOP.

Comment by Annon3 Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 6:03 pm
My only question is: How can I get on the gravy train?

Comment by Midwesterner Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 7:01 pm
Midwesterner - please consider who’s getting Dick’s cash, Roy Moore, Dan Proft, etc and be thankful Dick’s not finding you worthy.

Comment by We'll See Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 8:25 pm
” A fool and his money won’t be fooled again”.
-George W. Lincoln

Comment by don the legend Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 9:35 am