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Sullivan insists he’s not a San Francisco guy

Posted in:

* Dave Dahl

Illinois’ newest candidate for governor is trying to explain who he isn’t.

Jesse Sullivan, the fourth person to declare for the 2022 Republican primary, is a venture capitalist from Petersburg – near Springfield and the home of Lincoln’s New Salem – who says he moved back to his hometown to raise his family.

His opponents, as well as the Democratic Party, have tagged him as a “San Francisco venture capitalist,”

“I am through and through a Midwesterner from central Illinois, a small town of 2,000 people,” Sullivan told WTAX News. Responding to a question about how he will escape his rivals’ labeling of him, “I’m a central Illinois guy who shares central Illinois values, and so anybody who tries to paint me in a different way – it’s all politics.”

While Sullivan and his campaign are disavowing the labeling, his company’s web site does not. He is the founder of Alter Global, whose site is alter.vc. A check of that site, including Sullivan’s own page on the site, reveals no mention of Lincoln, nor the small-town, Midwestern roots on which Sullivan is campaigning.

The company has apparently since updated its site

And Sullivan no longer has a page on the site as of 10:19 this morning.

But the company’s Twitter and LinkedIn and Facebook pages still list San Francisco or the Silicon Valley as its headquarters.

* I mean, it seems so trivial, but the campaign has reportedly been pushing back hard against media outlets which have labeled him a San Francisco businessperson. They’ve also released a new video on the topic whacking the media…


Tell me you’re from the Midwest without telling me you’re from the Midwest 🌽🌾#HomeGrown #ILProud #ILStrong pic.twitter.com/0OoihQrvdC

— Jesse Sullivan (@JesseSullivanIL) September 13, 2021

Um, I’m pretty sure he’s telling us he’s from the Midwest by loudly insisting he’s from the Midwest.

* Perhaps this not so subtle dog whistle is why Sullivan is so insistent about separating himself from San Francisco

State senator Darren Bailey, who recently pointed to a jar full of corn kernels to declare himself as the Republican frontrunner, cast Sullivan as a different kind of outsider because of where he has lived

“We have witnessed San Francisco’s values on full display in our great state—it’s not good,” Bailey said. “We need a Governor who understands the Heartland, made a life here and shares our values. Our so-called ‘elites’ and their big checkbooks have had their run of things for too long. We think it’s time the regular folks in this state have their say.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:27 am

Comments

  1. Tell me you’re from Illinois by loudly telling me you’re from Illinois

    Comment by Buford Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:33 am

  2. Honestly, what kind of moron files an initial campaign finance report with a whopping $11 million on it to draw attention and doesn’t report a single dollar from Illinois? He didn’t even toss in a dollar for himself. That would’ve been from Petersburg (theoretically).

    He would’ve faced this no matter what, but he practically invited it to be bigger than it is with that filing.

    Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:33 am

  3. He chose to found his company elsewhere. Another fake plaid shirt.

    Comment by Amalia Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:34 am

  4. Two words White castle

    Comment by Dozer Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:35 am

  5. I’d ask Sullivan about his A-1 donations from “Californians working for an Illinois company based in California”

    Stanford educated, where in the incorporation papers is the company listed as an Illinois entity?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:36 am

  6. The only ones who win in this situation are the California/Colorado/Texas-funded “Team Sully’s” (LOL) campaign consultants.

    They’ve got limitless ideas for online advertising from which they can take their cut.

    Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:36 am

  7. My “I’m Not A San Francisco Guy” T-Shirt is raising a lot of questions that were already answered by my shirt.

    Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:37 am

  8. It’s a fair criticism. He’s a native Midwesterner who left to start companies and create jobs elsewhere, and then came back to supposedly save all of us backward Midwesterners. Couldn’t create those jobs here?

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:38 am

  9. Well, I guess we win, too, for the sheer comedy of it all.

    Still not sure this isn’t a spinoff show for HBO’s “Silicon Valley.”

    Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:38 am

  10. ===… campaign consultants.

    They’ve got limitless ideas for online advertising from which they can take their cut.===

    I sent a consulting package to the Sullivan folks… in California.

    Fingers crossed.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:39 am

  11. The pandering to the GOP base has begun, by ditching the “elitist” San Francisco label. Has Sullivan consulted the Rauner clothes fashion line of a rich person tryin’ to appear like a regular guy?

    Grabbing popcorn.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:39 am

  12. This was too easy to predict. Did he really think it wouldn’t happen?

    And Bailey’s comment were pretty easy to predict too, he has nothing but “let’s get people sick” and name calling. A real policy wonk that one.

    Comment by JS Mill Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:43 am

  13. I found this at his page on the company site just now:

    “The core values in Jesse’s life are faith, family, and service. He learned those values growing up in Central Illinois. He moved back to his hometown in Illinois shortly after launching Alter in 2016 in order to raise his children with the same Midwestern values he learned growing up. Jesse runs Alter from his home in Petersburg. The joys of his life are his wife and his many…many children.”

    Which makes me wonder, how many children does he have?

    Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:45 am

  14. brah we’ve played guess who i am before when we had Rauner.

    Comment by Gohawks123 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:45 am

  15. https://alter.vc/about/jesse-sullivan

    Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:46 am

  16. Pretty sure I will learn some things about Mr. Sullivan that I won’t like, but I thought this was an excellent ad.
    In Illinois you can never go wrong with an ad that includes soy beans, kids popping out of a planted field, a nice looking family and a happy fellow.

    Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:46 am

  17. Alter Global LLC is listed as an LLC with 7 additional series names on the Illinois Secretary of State’s Corporate/LLC Look-up site- Organization/Admission Date Thursday, 31 December 2020. There is also an Alter Global which had been withdrawn, and it looks like Alter Global LLC took its place. https://apps.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/CorporateLlcController

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:46 am

  18. I mean, to be fair, his resume also lists Afghanistan, Paraguay, and Bhutan.

    Comment by ChuckIL Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:48 am

  19. how did it work out for Illinois with the last “venture capitalist” type that was elected in 2014? Just wondering if many have forgotten the disaster Rauner was for our state and the money HE cost the Illinois taxpayer

    Comment by truthteller Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:49 am

  20. ===Thursday, 31 December 2020===

    Huh. Did the company exist prior to 2020, and those folks who donated… what is their history with the company, pre and post January 1, 2021

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:50 am

  21. D. Bailey said:

    –We think it’s time the regular folks in this state have their say–

    Clay County Baileys have collected in excess of 7.1 million in crop subsidy payments.

    Regular folks don’t get taxpayer loot like that.

    Quit calling yourself “regular folk”, Darren.

    Comment by Stix Hix Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:51 am

  22. “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy use of ‘coastal elite’ as a political epithet into his place: for all they that take the use of ‘coastal elite’ as a political epithet shall perish with the use of ‘coastal elite’ as a political epithet.”

    That’s how it goes, right?

    Comment by Actual Red Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:51 am

  23. Wait, so… he came back 5 years ago?

    Where had been before?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:52 am

  24. The truth is the last venture capitalist elected Governor of Illinois was billionaire JB Pritzker

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:54 am

  25. == who left to start companies and create jobs elsewhere ==

    Have you even read his bio to see what type of work his company actually did? Here’s an excerpt:

    “After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, I served as Special Assistant to the Haitian ambassador, advising on US humanitarian assistance and aid to the country. My experiences there shaped my view that job creation, not free assistance – at home or abroad – are the keys to sustained economic growth.

    My experiences abroad led me to found Alter Global, a venture capital firm that finds and scales the best companies in emerging economies around the world, to reduce extreme poverty and spread the benefits of the new, innovation economy to the developing world. Through Alter, I’ve partnered with 25 game changing entrepreneurs across 14 countries, from Nigeria to India, Mexico, and the American heartland. Jobs, not entitlements, are the foundation of prosperity – at home, and abroad.”

    Comment by Occasional Quipper Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:54 am

  26. -he came back 5 years ago?-

    It’s easy for the boss to be wherever they want. I’m sure his campaign will be more than happy to release statistics on where those employed by his various companies are located by state. /s

    As for the apparent surprise at the criticism, dude, you are pretty much an unknown who all of a sudden decided to run for your first public office and start at the top. What did you expect? That takes a certain level of hubris, and of course your opponents and the media are going to be skeptical.

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:57 am

  27. Next on “The Californians”

    “Bayshore was totally jammed in Palo Alto, so I took Embarcadero to Route 82, up to San Mateo, doubled back to 101, but still managed to miss my flight to Springfield.”

    Comment by City Zen Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 10:58 am

  28. Being “based in Illinois”….

    When was the last corporate tax return in Illinois, did they pay corporate income taxes in Illinois?

    Thanks.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:00 am

  29. OW- Looks like it was based in California up until possibly just last year-

    https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/1789592D:US

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:02 am

  30. - Anon221 -

    Sometimes questions are…

    If I were Bailey, et, al… I’d ask what a company based in California hasn’t paid Illinois corporate income taxes… is considered “Illinois based”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:05 am

  31. OW- Search under “Corporation” then Search Criteria “Alter Global”. Some reports filed in California are available there once you do the search. https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:06 am

  32. - Anon221 -

    You’re not following…

    :)

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:07 am

  33. Dude have a little awareness and consistency.

    Did I miss JB starting at the bottom and working his way up to run for Governor?

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:10 am

  34. OW- I was just posting some info on the company, not trying to make any point. Just info, and I did it first to see if the LLC was in Good Standing with the State of Illinois. That then led to trace backs to California to see what was up there. As far as diving into taxes paid…beyond my pay grade:)

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:13 am

  35. === Did I miss JB starting at the bottom and working his way up to run for Governor?===

    … or Rauner?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:15 am

  36. See next post re: fooling some of the people all of the time.

    Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:15 am

  37. Until I see his ad about tooling around in a twenty year old VW, I ain’t taking him seriously.

    Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:17 am

  38. -Dude have a little awareness and consistency.-

    I’m very aware and consistent. I don’t like it no matter who it is.

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:17 am

  39. While in California, Alter Global was registered as a Non-Profit- https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=03827568-19779810

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:18 am

  40. Sullivan, Rauner, two peas in the pod.

    Comment by DuPage Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:20 am

  41. Stix Hix your comment reminds me of an Illinois Policy Institute line about taxpayers & taxeaters.

    Comment by Blake Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:20 am

  42. Alter Global 990s- https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/475297199

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:22 am

  43. - Anon221 -

    People pay for oppo research. I just asked a question, lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:23 am

  44. ===Did I miss JB starting at the bottom and working his way up to run for Governor?===

    You must have missed it LP. But lucky for you, I didn’t miss it and am hear to help you so you won’t embarrass yourself further.

    I remember JB starting an organization almost 30 years ago to get young Democrats elected. I’m sure you’d recognize many of the alums of that group who’ve gone into public service. If that doesn’t count as starting from the bottom, how about running for Congress? Or how about raising money for so many Democratic candidates and causes? Or how about when he volunteered to go door-to-door with my state rep candidate in 1994?

    In other words, JB didn’t parachute in and announce a run for Governor, unlike some others I can think of.

    Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:30 am

  45. So Sullivan has an active Alter Global corp registered in California since 2015 listed as a non-profit corporation.

    Why the non-profit status?

    I thought his story was he was a “job creator” so he could get people off charity?

    The company also appears to still be based in Redding,CA even if Sullivan has identified his home address as in Petersburg since July 2017 so “California investor” is a fair description.

    Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:31 am

  46. OW- As a voter in Illinois, this is the type of research I do for myself on candidates. And Alter Global’s 990 for 2020 is interesting reading, including a cryptocurrency called Ripple on one of the last sheets of the 990. https://www.investopedia.com/tech/whats-difference-between-bitcoin-and-ripple/

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:33 am

  47. LP, 47th is right. JB has been laying the groundwork to Governor for years… He even got caught on a Blago wire angling for a Treasurer spot.

    Comment by Phenomynous Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:42 am

  48. ===Couldn’t create those jobs here?===

    Lack of high speed internet in Menard County, IL, might preclude running a successful Venture Fund from there …

    http://www.broadbandillinois.org/Get-it/Central-eTeam/County-Data-and-Maps0.html

    Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:42 am

  49. In the link provided by 47th Ward Sullivan notes the joys of his life are his wife and his “many…many children.” What an odd statement. Why not just say how many children he has.

    Comment by West Side the Best Side Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:43 am

  50. ===angling for a Treasurer spot.===

    Meh. In the end, don’t think it mattered in the overwhelming majority Pritzker won… isn’t Rod a Trumpkin darling now?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:46 am

  51. ===got caught on a Blago wire angling for a Treasurer spot===

    Lol. Well played.

    Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:47 am

  52. - Anon221 -

    I’ll never ask you, rhetorically, what time it is, I don’t need to know how a watch is made.

    lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:48 am

  53. OW-;)

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 11:52 am

  54. -Lack of high speed internet in Menard County, IL, might preclude running a successful Venture Fund from there-

    Perhaps a venture to install some then? Charity begins at home.

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:01 pm

  55. This guy’s campaign is imploding almost as fast as a Dan Rutherford press conference.

    Maybe when he gets done figuring out where he is from, Jesse can explain how he knows Eric Greitens, whom he describes as “One of the best men and leaders I’ve ever known.”

    https://www.facebook.com/jesse.sullivan.7796

    Says a lot about his judgment.

    Comment by Billy Bong Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:04 pm

  56. Thanks for the links to the 990s, Anon221.

    So Alter Global is a tax-exempt organization? Does that even make this dude a venture capitalist then?

    Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:09 pm

  57. The “Friday Fiasco” that was the Rutherford mistake was to fend off something Rutherford wouldn’t even say it was.

    This is self inflicted silly and hoping no one calls him on it.

    We’ll see, but can’t see Sullivan leaving anytime soon, none have the cash to take him (Sullivan) down right away.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:11 pm

  58. Dad’s Temporary Home State?
    Dad’s Childhood Home State?
    Dad’s Home States?
    Dad’s New Home State?

    Comment by Keyrock Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:11 pm

  59. According to his 990s report, Alter Global is doing stuff in Nigeria.

    The lack of investment in Central Illinois is not about lack of broadband.

    Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:14 pm

  60. === Dad’s Temporary Home State?
    Dad’s Childhood Home State?
    Dad’s Home States?
    Dad’s New Home State?===

    Who’s Native Son
    The Guest
    Coming Home Again
    My New Old State
    Absentee Ballot

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:14 pm

  61. Has he fully demonstrated his heterosexuality by buying a pick up truck with a cargo bed that will never be used? What is his stance on fully-automatic .50 caliber chain guns? These are the most important issues facing our State at the moment.

    Comment by Merica Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:16 pm

  62. ===Perhaps a venture to install some then? Charity begins at home.===

    History proves, and even Nobel Prize Winner in Economics Milton Friedman agreed, there is no “free market” for physical utilities, and government intervention is usually involved. Sometimes directly (Transcontinental Railroad, Rural Electrification Act), sometimes indirectly (AT&T, other railroads), but government is needed to bring interconnected physical utilities to rural places. Like Menard County.

    Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:19 pm

  63. Yeah unfortunately the surface-level similarities to Rauner are obvious … he’s still miles better than the other GOP candidates.

    Comment by natty lite Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:21 pm

  64. How many tax dollars has his company paid to the state of Illinois?

    Comment by Seymour Kid Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:31 pm

  65. -government is needed to bring interconnected physical utilities to rural places. Like Menard County.-

    OK, HQ in Springfield then? Champaign-Urbana? Chicago?

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:32 pm

  66. ===OK, HQ in Springfield then? Champaign-Urbana? Chicago? ===

    Looks like all his big money contacts are out west, however.

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:37 pm

  67. I keep reading Sullivan is rich. How rich? How much did he make on his own, how much did he inherit?

    I think he must have both the D’s and the far Right worried, they are sure paying attention to him.

    As for the money, anyone running will need to raise 9 figures to be viable in the general. That’s just the way it is.

    Comment by BCOSEC Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:46 pm

  68. Long way to go, but if this “San Francisco” theme is the best that Bailey and Rabine can come up with the Republican Primary appears to come down to Paul S. and Sullivan.
    Both of them have interesting backgrounds and both seem to be serious candidates.

    Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:51 pm

  69. The more crowded the primary, the better chance a Raunerite can prevail (Sullivan)

    Being an out of state phony, a younger, seemingly sillier Rauner to a base Trump voter isn’t going to keep those Trumpkins in line, ask Bruce.

    It’s a confusing campaign already for Sullivan

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:55 pm

  70. -I think he must have both the D’s and the far Right worried, they are sure paying attention to him.-

    Throwing $11m in chips on the table into a relatively impoverished GOP primary will do that.

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 12:56 pm

  71. -Looks like all his big money contacts are out west, however.-

    Fair, but the I want to do great things for Illinois rhetoric rings a bit hollow when you haven’t really done anything for Illinois before.

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:00 pm

  72. When exactly did you stop being a Republican OW?

    How on earth is Jesse Sullivan a Raunerite and an out of state phony if he was born here and lived here for the past 5 years?

    Narrator- he’s not but he sure has all the right people worried

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:05 pm

  73. == Did I miss JB starting at the bottom and working his way up to run for Governor? ==

    I mean, you’re the guy who dislikes just about everything about JB, so I wouldn’t really use him to defend anyone if I was you.

    Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:06 pm

  74. =Did I miss JB starting at the bottom and working his way up to run for Governor?=

    Pritzker seems fairly comfortable with who he is. I’m not sure that we can say the same about Jesse Sullivan who already seems to be struggling with his Silicon Valley/Midwestern identity. The farm fresh kickoff video seems to be a bit at odds with the crowd he runs with out west.

    Comment by Pundent Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:13 pm

  75. Ron. Yes, the $11 mil in chips will do that. Add on maybe only one who will attract moderate burb votes and big (Griffin) money.

    Comment by BCOSEC Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:16 pm

  76. Saw a short talk Jesse Sullivan did while at Stanford on You Tube. He makes a nice impression on me.
    Respectfully not into the Bruce 2 replay camp. Based on his commitment to service and the things he has done, I just don’t buy into Sullivan as a Bruce wannabe.
    Yes, they both wear blue jeans and farm gear, but that seems to be more Bruce trying to pass himself as someone like Sullivan.
    Very early, but Sullivan has some money to spend and a certain sincerity.
    Not discounting Mr. $300,000 a day, but thinking Sullivan vs. Pritzker would be closer than Bailey or Rabine vs. Pritzker.

    Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:18 pm

  77. “Did I miss JB starting at the bottom and working his way up to run for Governor?”

    Did you miss JB starting his campaign as a resident of Illinois?

    – MrJM

    Comment by MisterJayEm Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:22 pm

  78. ===sincerity===

    “Many… many children”… my goodness, lol

    How sincere is it to say you have run your business for at least 5 years, yet you pay California state corporate income taxes or charitable taxing?

    How phony will that be… at $300,000 a day… every day.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:22 pm

  79. -thinking Sullivan vs. Pritzker would be closer than Bailey or Rabine vs. Pritzker.-

    It probably would be, but primary first, and he’s going to have to utter the word Trump at some point. Seems pretty clear he doesn’t intend to bear hug the guy given he hasn’t mentioned him yet, but he’s going to have to take a position. Even if he wins the primary, an anti-Trump or arm’s length stance could hurt the turnout he would need to win. Not to mention being (apparently) staunchly pro-life at this particular moment with Texas going on, though it remains to be seen how hot that issue will be at this time next year.

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:28 pm

  80. Enjoying watching the JB droids here having a meltdown over someone they insist isn’t a serious contender - *grabs popcorn*

    Comment by phocion Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:29 pm

  81. Like OW, I would like to see Jesse Sullivan disclose his complete income tax filings so we could see if he pays taxes in Illinois and what kind of loopholes he may use to avoid paying taxes.
    This country needs to exam how our tax system gives some folks paying such low tax rates while the rest of us are stuck paying higher tax rates than trust fund babies like Pritzker or Trump.
    Really tired of candidates like Pritzker/Trump not disclosing their complete tax returns. If you want to hold public office then come clean on your tax returns.

    Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:35 pm

  82. “What would Abraham Lincoln have thought of a comment like that?

    “You got me. I have no clue,” Sullivan responded before pointing over his shoulder at Lincoln’s statue. “You should ask him.”

    No…they asked him what he thought of Trump praising a confederate traitor…and he deferred to Abe?…I doubt could he be so truly “clueless”.

    Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:36 pm

  83. === Like===

    No. Not like me.

    I asked a very specific point to location of taxing.

    You trying to hijack that thought, nope…

    If the company(ies) filed with SoS on December 31, 2020, and Sullivan has been working for his company “here” in Illinois, where exactly, corporate tax-wise, is the company recognized as tax paying for pre December 31st, 2020?

    If it’s an Illinois company, should be easy enough to show where they filed.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:39 pm

  84. Is there a name for a system wherein super wealthy “candidates” vie against one another for positions of power?

    Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:39 pm

  85. Time for Jesse to start dropping his “g’s.” And maybe scuff up those Timberlands.

    Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:46 pm

  86. My “I’m not from San Francisco I’m from Illinois” t-shirt has people asking a lot of questions already answered by my shirt
    -Jesse Sullivan

    Comment by Nick Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:46 pm

  87. “Trying to highjack that thought”.
    Sorry for the misread. Well actually maybe kinda sorry for the misread.
    Still think candidates like Trump/Pritzker types or anyone running for Governor should completely disclose their tax returns. That includes Pritzker and Sullivan.

    Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:48 pm

  88. @FE-Utah

    ==Until I see his ad about tooling around in a twenty year old VW, I ain’t taking him seriously.==

    Hilarious!! what bumper stickers would be on that old VW?

    Comment by 10th Ward Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:52 pm

  89. === When exactly did you stop being a Republican===

    Oh, - Lucky Pierre -, you’re so wrong, again.

    I’ve stayed a traditional Republican.

    Bring a Raunerite or Trumpkin has never been anything… Republican

    Silly and foolish lemmings, who first were bought and paid for by Bruce and Diana Rauner, then were wholly hijacked by racist, conspiracy theorists, and insurrectionists… they hijacked the brand… and I guess you embraced them too.

    ===he was born here and lived here for the past 5 years?===

    Where was he… 6 years ago… 10 years ago… of his “many kids” … how many are born here… where did his company pay corporate taxes is… 2019, 2018, 2017… 2020…

    Should be easy answers, no?

    ===… has all the right people worried===

    Mocking a silly campaign isn’t worry, I’m guessing if Sullivan gets through the primary we’ll know lots about him, lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:52 pm

  90. Just state what one thinks are the most important issues and how that person specifically views them.
    Advice for all candidates for political office.

    Comment by Unconventional wisdom Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:52 pm

  91. Looks like they might have fixed his bio:

    ===The core values in Jesse’s life are faith, family, and service. He learned those values growing up in Central Illinois. He moved back to his hometown in Illinois shortly after launching Alter in 2016 in order to raise his children with the same Midwestern values he learned growing up. Jesse runs Alter from his home in Petersburg. The joys of his life are his wife and his many…many children.===

    How many children do you have to have before “many… many children” is better sounding than the actual number of children?

    Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:53 pm

  92. === Still think candidates like Trump/Pritzker types or anyone running for Governor should completely disclose their tax returns. That includes Pritzker and Sullivan.===

    That’s your thought.

    No worries, but it’s not my point to my own thought on the corporate tax residency.

    No worries, be well.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:54 pm

  93. No worries, be well.

    Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 1:57 pm

  94. The “many…many children” most likely refers to their foster children. https://ct.dio.org/item/5215-welcoming-foster-children-completes-petersburg-family.html

    Comment by Anon221 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:00 pm

  95. ==I think he must have both the D’s and the far Right worried, they are sure paying attention to him.==

    Are they? Putting out a public statement criticizing an opponent is…y’know, just what campaigns do. That’s a bit like saying “The White Sox must really be worried about the Orioles because they’re taking at bats against them.”

    Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:09 pm

  96. ===most likely refers===

    Probably true. But it looks apparent that they hastily scrubbed his bio on the company website to reinforce that the company founder moved to Petersburg in 2016 just like he’s been telling us he did. So an alternate theory is that the intern who redid the bio this morning didn’t know how many kids Sullivan has but obviously more than one.

    Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:11 pm

  97. ==Enjoying watching the JB droids here having a meltdown over someone they insist isn’t a serious contender - *grabs popcorn* ==

    Goodness, you guys can talk yourselves into anything.

    What’s the evidence of this “meltdown”? IIRC, the only public statement from any Dem is from the Party Chair who…isn’t exactly on JB’s christmas card list right now, lol.

    Othwerwise, you’re just looking at people on a political blog laughing at a guy who can’t even get his residency straight on the fourth day of his campaign and pretending that those people represent anything other than themselves and that they’re actually scared of the guy who couldn’t go a whole work week without stumbling over something as simple as “where ya from?”

    Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:13 pm

  98. Wow, I guess it’s only NOT ok to attack kids when they’re Democrats’ kids. The guy fostered teenaged kids in addition to his own four biological children. But, yeah, go ahead and attack the guy for that.

    Comment by phocion Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:15 pm

  99. ===meltdown over someone they insist isn’t a serious contender===

    If you confuse mocking for meltdown it explains how racist, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists can take over a party brand.

    I’d say the corporate types, the suits, Sullivan has scrubbing and rewriting his “lived history” is in a meltdown mode as I, speaking for myself, mock such a silly belief a word added or dropped here or there charge things like corporate tax residency or a lack of Illinois based monies in $11 million he decided to drop, seemingly unprepared for scrutiny.

    I mean, it’s laughably amateurish.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:20 pm

  100. It is very easy to find that for the years 2016-2020 Sullivan has been paid gross compensation of $88K-$130K per year from Alter. There is only one other person earning a salary from Alter. The Form 990s can be found through a simple Google search.

    I do not know this for fact, but have a hunch that Sullivan doesn’t have a lot of $. Likely the least of the 4 R candidates?

    No clue about this at all really, but looks like a guy who met some big $ people as a grad student at Stanford, impressed them enough that they donated about $5 million for him to start a 501(c)(3) and then after about 5 years he had continued to impress them enough to get $11 million in donations upfront to run for governor of Illinois.

    It looks like he lived in Petersburg birth through high school graduation and still has family there. Given the close proximity to Springfield I suspect it won’t be hard for the media to provide a complete and accurate bio.

    Comment by BCOSEC Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:27 pm

  101. ==Wow, I guess it’s only NOT ok to attack kids when they’re Democrats’ kids.==

    Are you reading some other website and responding to it here? No one here has attacked his kids.

    You really need to go touch some grass.

    Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:32 pm

  102. ===I guess it’s only NOT ok to attack kids when they’re Democrats’ kids.===

    I missed that. Who attacked his kids?

    Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:32 pm

  103. ===NOT ok to attack kids===

    Who exactly attack the kids?

    Can you NOT read? Seriously?

    I’m mocking the apparently unable task of *counting* children.

    Like, I have “many… many” cannoli kind of… embarrassing

    lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:33 pm

  104. ==The “many…many children” most likely refers to their foster children.==

    Probably. But it’s an awkward way to do that. Is “X children by birth and X foster children” really worse than making your guy sound like one of the Duggars?

    Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:44 pm

  105. A fresh faced native Illinoisan who has actually done some good for people in this world - unlike most venture capitalists - and is clearly trying to be aggressively moderate and non-ideological and that STILL isn’t good enough for OW?? And we are supposed to pretend OW is a “traditional Republican” just waiting for the right one to emerge so he can release himself from his bear hug of Pritzker? The charade is over, c’mon.

    Comment by Hahaha Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:50 pm

  106. I don’t care where he lives or his business is based.
    I’m tired of millionaires and billionaires thinking they know what is right for the rest of us.
    I know it’s a pipe dream, but a midle class governor would be cool.

    Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 2:56 pm

  107. ===isn’t good enough for…===

    Gotta admit, LOL, for folks who take little or no stock in my thoughts and *still* are concerned what I think… Im embarrassed you put me up as a litmus test. You’d think you could think for yourself.

    As for me? Easy.

    A continually evolving “life story” that seems to be scrubbed again today, a bio that can’t grasp exactly how many kids one has as a parent, whose corporate existence may only be Illinoisan since January of 2021… not a great start for a “fresh” face who want to… “turnaround”… that’s right, “turnaround” Illinois, ala Bruce Rauner?

    I never endorse, I’m the kiss of death, but I do comment on amateurish campaigns that seemingly can’t get facts, history, or simple stories correct on a rollout.

    I mean, that’s “HaHaHa” kinda funny.

    === pretend OW is a “traditional Republican” just waiting for the right one to emerge so he can release himself from his bear hug of Pritzker?====

    If you’re making it about me, that’s even sadder, because right now, Tracy, the ILGOP party chair embraces racists, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists… and you *are* cool with that. If you weren’t, you’d be hammering Tracy too, and you haven’t. Ever. That’s who you are.

    Sullivan, he’s not an Edgar, not a jbt, heck, he’s not even a GHR…

    I get it, you can’t grasp thinking to things that aren’t a religious-like embrace because of a brand these days.

    Sullivan has a ways to go to show *me*… that he’s not some prop for the “consultants” to move around, dress up, and teach to be a Chatty Kathy with “turnaround” as a theme.

    Since that $11 million, Sullivan is probably exactly how I’d expect a prop-type candidate to emerge, even with less striking costumes and his Gs seeming still in a vocabulary.

    ===The charade is over===

    Oh, it’s over.

    The racists, insurrectionists, conspiracy theorists need their cult and purity. Why you want that, I dunno.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 3:10 pm

  108. OW - This has nothing to do with purity or whatever you’re babbling about. The guy passes your greatest litmus tests - not being a boot licking Trumper and has no connections to Rauner - and yet, you’re still here trashing him because of an out of date company bio? Really?.

    You’re unicorn of a similar person who also has been in Government for 20+ years does not exist. Here in Illinois or anywhere. That’s why I say your charade is over. You set impossible standards for Republicans bc your schtick is to trash Republicans and defend and go easy on Democrats of all stripes in IL.

    JBT could rise again and you would say she was silent while the “racists, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists” took over the party…

    Comment by Hahaha Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 3:36 pm

  109. === JBT could rise again and you would say she was silent while the “racists, insurrectionists, and conspiracy theorists” took over the party…===

    Oh.

    You think she’d be silent.

    Now your ridiculousness makes sense.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 3:42 pm

  110. === You set impossible standards for Republicans bc your schtick is to trash Republicans===

    Renounce racists, insurrectionists and conspiracy theorists is an impossible bar?

    ===go easy on Democrats of all stripes in IL.===

    Frerichs, Chapa LaVia, Dunkin, Drury, Franks, Madigan, Alexi, Harmon… they might disagree.

    Read for comprehension some time

    I mean, are you losing consciousness with your mouth breathing concern that seemingly goes against exactly what I write?

    Why do you care what I write if you can’t grasp what is being written?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 3:45 pm

  111. 110 comments and counting…does that mean Sullivan is officially the front runner?

    Comment by CubsFan16 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 9:31 pm

  112. Also, OW, calling Sullivan a Raunerite after *a few days* is pretty over the top.

    Comment by CubsFan16 Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 9:37 pm

  113. === calling Sullivan a Raunerite after *a few days* is pretty over the top.===

    A seemingly phony story that can’t figure out how many kids he has while touting a “turnaround” Illinois?

    I’ve seen this movie, maybe you haven’t, lol

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 13, 21 @ 9:43 pm

  114. I don’t follow Republican primary numbers closest to know what a crowded field of downstate candidates means once the actual campaigning starts and if money well spent in Cook and surrounding counties will make decide who is the candidate. But at this point it’s a shrug and besides here who honestly cares?

    Comment by Annon3 Tuesday, Sep 14, 21 @ 8:57 am

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