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Bustos “spooked” by Republican opponent, getting $1 million in late spending

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Illinois

The top super PAC backing House Democrats is dropping more than $1 million into a last-minute media blitz defending the chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in a sign that her campaign for a new term is not guaranteed.

The House Majority PAC has reported spending almost $1 million on airtime and another $30,000 on digital advertising on behalf of Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), who heads the DCCC, according to filings made with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Democratic sources in Washington and Illinois said two Republican polls released earlier this month that showed Bustos only narrowly ahead of her Republican rival, attorney Esther Joy King, were catalysts for the late spending blitz. […]

“She’s calling everyone in [Democratic] politics in Illinois to make sure nothing goes sideways. Call time, Zoom fundraisers, the works,” said one Illinois Democratic strategist. “She’s spooked.”

“Washington Republicans have spent nearly $1.5 million in attack ads against Cheri because she represents a district Donald Trump won and is leading the strategy to keep the Speaker’s gavel out of Kevin McCarthy’s hands,” Denise Mousouris, Bustos’s campaign manager, said in an email.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 3:12 am

Comments

The TV attack ad hastily cut by House Majority super PAC is nonsense, trying canned generic criticism of Republicans, multiple sources cited are years old, one going back to 2010.

Carpet bagger angle has not worked across the country in other states and won’t work here.

Video embedded here:

http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/10/31/hmp103120/

Comment by John Lopez Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:22 am
Esther won’t win, but she’s done her job making Cheri sweat I out. Nice work

Comment by Woody Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 9:16 am
I do wonder what she’ll do next.

Being DCCC chair usually is a one-time gig, and it doesn’t seem advantageous to do it again.

Comment by Nick Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:01 am
I do not see Esther pulling this one off, but the RNC and ILGOP did exactly what they needed to do. Keep Bustos out of battleground states and battleground districts in the state. Make her stay in district and focus on her own campaign. You knew it was getting intense when originally Bustos said she was not going to even say her opponents name, but then started addressing Esther.

Kudos to everyone on team Esther for their hard fought battle, win or lose they did their job.

Comment by HotSauce Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:31 am
After the Alan Keyes fiasco, I’m surprised King is getting any traction at all.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 11:55 am
Esther King was at yesterday’s Trump rally in Dubuque, Iowa. She did speak a couple of times, but it was interesting to note that Trump only mentioned Wisconsin & Iowa, but didn’t mention Illinois. There were IL folks at the rally as I observed. The little airport was like the “Field of Dreams” as there are cornfields surrounding the place, and over 5,000 were in attendance according to news reports.

Comment by Top of the State Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 12:59 pm
Nick, if Bustos wins her race and House Democrats expand their majority in the House, Bustos has a limited promotion opportunity in Democrat leadership. While top 3 are locked w/ Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn, #4, Assistant House Speaker, is open with Ben Ray Lujan running for Senate. Hakeem Jeffries is next in line as Democrat Caucus chair. Bustos, as DCCC chair is #6.

Lujan chaired DCCC prior to being #4, so a progression could be Bustos following suit.

Bustos would have to run for promotion in Democrat caucus private vote, and she is not a favorite of the progressives due to the “Bustos rule” on Democrat primary challengers. The Left may want one of their own to be in leadership.

It’ll start to take shape after tomorrow and Bustos has to win IL-17 first.

Comment by John Lopez Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:27 pm
- John Lopez -

Are you *still* linking to your work on another blog?

Pay Rich an ad fee, lol

The “Democrat” tripe is tiring, might be good on the blog you write, appease the Limbaugh folks, but…

To the post,

If they caught Bustos napping, how much of a groundwork does Bustos’ opponent dome to have an effective Election Day operation in a pandemic, will Bustos have enough of the blue wave type of momentum in ballots or will things mirror all things Quad Cities?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 1:32 pm
It’s gonna be close. Esther had a huge early lead in getting her name out there and yard signs up in the conservative areas that weren’t really adhering to guidelines. For a national election, hanging out and playing it Covid safe is one thing. For not so familiar named candidates, it’s crazy how important signage can sway an election.

I won’t be surprised if CD 17 flips red for this cycle. It’s been a few years since it gave Bobby Schilling a chance.

Comment by Two Cent Ante Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 2:00 pm