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Republicans getting clobbered in the money race

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Illinois

* Gov. Rauner and his allies showered more than $40 million on legislative races two years ago. This year? So far, not so much…

The roughly $14 million Rauner’s put up for the state party or legislative candidates for 2018 is not only a fraction of his 2016 largesse, it’s offset by Pritzker’s $7.5 million for Democratic legislative candidates.

That doesn’t mean the GOP is tossing in the towel. The party is on the offensive in southern Illinois, where Trump coattails still have pull, and its candidates are running strongly, if defensively, in traditionally GOP-influenced suburban Chicago districts. […]

That’s the case in the other southern Illinois races on which Republicans are pinning their House hopes. In three key races, Redfield’s numbers suggest spending of $4.7 million — $3.5 million of it by the Democratic incumbents.

In 10 closely watched Senate races, spending could top $14 million, according to Redfield’s figures. But even though six of those races feature Republican incumbents, Democrats control $11 million of the funding.

“Last time it was like they (GOP) had unlimited money but now, he (Rauner) is focused on the governor’s race,” Redfield said. “It seems he thinks Republicans are not going to do well and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If he doesn’t give them as much, they won’t do as well.”

Speaking of which, Republican treasurer candidate Jim Dodge filed his quarterly reported today. He ended the quarter with… get this… $4,333.99 cash on hand.

Republican comptroller candidate Darlene Senger did a bit better. She closed out the quarter with $48,134.28 on hand.

Republican secretary of state candidate Jason Helland did the “best” of the three, ending the quarter with $60,746.85 in cash. Helland was even endorsed by the Daily Herald.

* Meanwhile…

The Democratic Party of Illinois has announced a statewide “voter protection initiative” hotline as part of its get out the vote effort.

“Voting is every American’s fundamental right, one that was fought for in countless battles. Even today, there are countless examples of voter suppression and barriers to voting, and we will work diligently to dismantle those efforts,” the party’s executive director, state Rep. Christian Mitchell, said in a statement.

Voters can call 1-833-VOTER18 to access the hotline about complaints over alleged voter suppression. The hotline follows the party’s efforts with governor candidate J.B. Pritzker’s campaign spending $1 million on voter registration and early voting advocacy.

This initiative goes way beyond a hotline. More details soon.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:20 pm

Comments

Illinois is among a handful of states that make registration easy and in most cases, all elections are done in a manner to encourage people to vote, not deny them.

Comment by truthteller Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:32 pm
The CFE rule is in full effect with Dodge, Senger, and Helland.

It’s a good rule. Looking at Dodge, Senger, and Helland, why would I take any of them seriously?

That’s right. I’m not suppose to.

These three not running credible races… it’s the feature, not the bug.

Lower turnout, with no statewide races but AG and Governor.

We let a stranger in our house… Rauner has made his Raunerite Party a shell corporation that now… is ready to be sold off and the parts used for Rauner’s sole benefit.

Not surprised. Nope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:32 pm
If Rauner is defeated, who besides Uiehlein fills the funder vacuum?

The GOP better find some other money than Uiehlein if any of them are serious about building governing majorities. Because that dude is not.

Of course, many GOP GA types are not, either. It’s a sweet gig for Skillicorn types to be mapped into GOP ghettos, collect their paychecks, and play kiddie games, without ever having to think of making a tough vote.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:37 pm
OW, little help here. CFE rule?

Comment by Fixer Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:42 pm
The Democrats are doing a great job at making sure people vote. if you call that number they will fill out the ballot for you and you don’t have to leave home.

Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:45 pm
The Rule of CFE…

If you are running statewide, for any race, in the primary or general, and you have less than Citizens for Edgar has sitting doing nothing in its account, you are NOT a credible statewide candidate.

As of last filing, CFE’s balance was $378k…campaign in poetry, but they govern in prose.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:46 pm
DuPage Saint: Did you come up with that all by yourself before or after watching Fox News?

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:57 pm
What’s possibly even more revealing, Rauner’s hand-picked AG candidate - who he claims to have “recruited” - is now getting badly outspent by Raoul. While I have no evidence to prove it, I can easily imagine Rauner telling her last August: “don’t worry Erika, you’ll have at least as much money as your opponent”. It feels like he lured her in, dictated her advertising, and now has left her hanging.

Comment by DarkHorse Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:59 pm
Republicans forgot how to fundraise with their reliance on Governor Rauner. The question now is will the democrats fall into the same easy money trap going forward after this election?

Comment by Nagidam Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:05 pm
===who besides Uiehlein fills the funder vacuum===

Whoever it is who is currently sending the IMA piles of cash for pro-Rauner TV ads.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:16 pm
===who besides Uiehlein fills the funder vacuum===

Whoever it is who is currently sending the IMA piles of cash for pro-Rauner TV ads.–

I figured it was the same entity that bankrolled all the dark-money negative spots against Schock, Dillard, Brady and Rutherford.

AKA, Rauner.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:39 pm
Give me a break Dan Proft helped a little

Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 2:03 pm
You can barely get a decent used Dodge for $4,400.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 2:16 pm
I’m waiting to see the Jason Plummer D-2.

Comment by illini Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 2:35 pm
LOL Jason Plmmmber. What a wet noodle?

Comment by Southfarmllama Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 3:57 pm
If Rauner is defeated, how much does he spend on revenge?

Comment by Timmeh Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:14 pm
Timmeh-it will be hard to spend the money from Italy.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:57 pm
I suspect it will be a massive GOTV to bring the whole ticket pluse those 4 US house races and supermajorities to the GA.

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 5:55 pm
I would think bringing US house seats could increase his national clout. Switch of the house could occur with PA IL NY NJ MI and MN alone….All are looking like Blue Blowouts.

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 5:58 pm
My wife got a vote by mail application from the Pritzker campaign today. She is a pretty reliable D voter - so I would think JB is financinag an effort to get strong to fairly strong Dem votes in the bucket.

Comment by train111 Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 7:33 pm
That Christian Mitchell is blowing the cobwebs out of DPI.

I hope Madigan finds a good home for the carrier pigeons that led his communication efforts all those decades. The ponies in his pony express, too.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:57 pm