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It’s the Republicans’ turn to whine about being outspent

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Illinois

Kevin Morrison might be a political newcomer, but the Democratic challenger for the Cook County Board District 15 seat that represents much of the Northwest suburbs is getting lots of financial help ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

The Cook County Democratic Party has spent more than $260,000 on his campaign since June in Morrison’s bid to unseat longtime Republican county board Commissioner Tim Schneider of Bartlett, who also chairs the Illinois Republican Party.

“This is insane,” Schneider said, charging county President Toni Preckwinkle and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan “are trying to buy this election.”

Schneider has raised more than $125,000 since July, most of it coming from state GOP in-kind contributions with business PACs make up the a large portion of the donations as well.

In addition to Morrison’s race, Cook Democrats have given more than $250,000 to two other candidates — Scott Britton and Abdelnassar Rashid — who are vying for the seats of Republicans Gregg Goslin of Glenview and Sean Morrison of Palos Park, respectively.

Morrison isn’t just relying on the Cook County Dems. He’s raised almost a half million dollars in total since the primary. That’s pretty darned impressive for a county board candidate.

Schneider, on the other hand, has raised just $134K since the primary. However, and this is important, the story doesn’t note that a dark money outfit called the Economic Freedom Alliance has spent significant bucks on Schneider: $105K to support Schneider and $26K to bash Morrison.

* Also, I didn’t hear Commissioner Schneider complain in 2016 when Rauner gave the chairman’s state party $15 million. All told, Rauner has given the ILGOP $36.656 million since June of 2014.

The Republicans were riding high on the governor’s money. But he’s since slowed his flow ($2 million to the ILGOP last year and $5.6 million this year) and the other side has a new sugar daddy.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:21 pm

Comments

–All told, Rauner has given the ILGOP $36.656 million since June of 2014.–

And with all that dough, Rauner’s hand-picked party chair, Schneider, couldn’t keep a Nazi or 9/11 conspiracy nut from winning GOP primaries for Congress, recruit blue-chip candidates for three state offices and most Cook County executive offices, or get a whiff of a majority in either GA chamber.

Might as well have just lit that money on fire.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:28 pm
There is no doubt in my mind that our state needs to change his campaign finance laws. Our two choices for Governor are proof of that.

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:38 pm
===our state needs to change his campaign finance laws===

To what? You can’t legally stop rich people from spending their own money on their own campaigns.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:39 pm
Rauner bought the people willing to be bought under the guise of Rauner buying the ILGOP.

When Rauner leaves, the phonies more attached to Raunerbucks will whine, the Uihlein phonies will swoop in to take the brand, and others lost in the wash could leave the party (ILGOP) for a long time.

Raunerites… you know who you are… it might be time to worry, and prepare to go and panic.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:40 pm
In the good ole days, the CarWashKing would just be buying campaign ads with rolls of quarters.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:45 pm
Just think Bruce, quitting early would have let you spend more on the villa.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:47 pm
@wordslinger:

While I do not disagree with your basic premises about not filing candidates in Cook County or weeding out the crackpots, Schneider is the State Party chair and most of the vacancies relate to lack of slate making by the Cook County chair (who is also the 3rd Congressional District Central Committeeman, Sean Morrison.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:48 pm
The big money fella was cool until the other guys found one with even more money.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 3:52 pm
I’ve got some cheese…

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 4:20 pm
Whining, before the election, about being outspent is making excuses before things fall apart.

You don’t have to spend the most to win, you need a message that resonates and a candidate that connects.

But if you think you’re going to lose, sure, start complaining about money.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 4:25 pm
@Rich. Re: “to what” - don’t you think the system would be better if rich non-candidates like Griffin were limited to say $100k for candidates he likes?

Comment by DarkHorse Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 4:29 pm
DarkHorse, the problem is that the only way to do it is by leaving the contributions in place even when a candidate is self funding. But then that leaves non-rich candidate at a gigantic disadvantage.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 4:32 pm
Juice is correct. We shouldn’t expect candidates to abide by campaign contribution limits when their opponents don’t have to do so.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 4:38 pm
Demos never complain about being unspent — they valiantly cite the corrupting effect of too much money in politics being spent by those who do not share their views. Only Republicans whine about being outspent.

Comment by jim Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 5:19 pm
K Morrison is a worker. Not a surprise.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 5:53 pm
Juice and Rich - I see what you’re saying. Hadn’t looked at it that way. I agree with what you’ve said.

Comment by DarkHorse Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 7:20 pm
Wordslinger, what is worse is the failure to recruit for positions like Treasure or Comptroller.

I know Chicago’s election is non-partisan, but they really should have found someone to back for Treasurer.

The GOP should be filled with high quality financial people who would make good candidates. The party should be able to recruit them.

Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Oct 31, 18 @ 10:06 pm
Schneider is in trouble. All the legislators in his district except Rep. Harris are Democrats, and a Democrat (Walker) may well win back that seat. Raja is the congressman. It’s not Carl Hansen’s solid GOP district anymore.

Comment by anon2 Thursday, Nov 1, 18 @ 5:25 am
I’ve been seeing Morrisson signs while walking literally scattered all over south suburban Cook (on lawns).

Comment by Plainfield liberal Thursday, Nov 1, 18 @ 6:33 am
GOP was bought in 2014 and BR turned it into a dumpster fire Dems bought by JB in 2018 well see what this turns into over time. Both guys are out of touch with 99.9 % of Illinoians.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Nov 1, 18 @ 7:05 am