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* Politico on Gov. JB Pritzker’s attempt to elect more Democratic governors…

Pritzker isn’t weighing in on Florida’s Democratic primary for governor, where Rep. Charlie Crist and state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried are battling in a caustic rivalry. Instead, he’s committed to backing the victor of the Aug. 23 contest. […]

In the interview with POLITICO, Pritzker declined to say how much he might spend this cycle but explained his strategy for the midterms — and its limits: He plans to help Democrats running for governor in states with GOP-controlled legislatures, but he draws the line at places where Republicans hold supermajorities that could override even a governor’s veto. […]

Pritzker has given $500,000 to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin this cycle. Pritzker and his wife, MK Pritzker, have given $40,000 to Evers, according to the governor’s campaign.

In mid-July, Pritzker met with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, to discuss how the Illinois governor could support Democrats. That eventually led to the $2 million contribution.

Pritzker has also given $250,000 to the Minnesota Democratic Party, and MK Pritzker has given $4,000 to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

And Pritzker expects to donate to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s political campaign as well.

* The Question: Your thoughts on Gov. Pritzker becoming a player in gubernatorial races around the country?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:18 pm

Comments

“Your thoughts on Gov. Pritzker becoming a player in gubernatorial races around the country?”

Better than him wasting all his money on comic books and video-games, I guess.

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:22 pm
My thought is that Governor Pritzker’s largesse does nothing to quiet those rumors about trying to move out to that place on Pennsylvania Ave in D.C.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:25 pm
More power to him. It enhances his political effectiveness and ability to accomplish things. This is not only good for him, but also for Illinois when he can ask for help in bringing home the bacon.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:25 pm
Frankly, considering the GOP’s continuing assault on our political system, I think it is money well spent. Even if the candidates lose, it will still increase awareness.

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:25 pm
He’s spent much of his adult life raising and donating money to politicians he supports. Why would he stop doing that now?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:25 pm
Don’t tell Durbin. He might get his feelings hurt.

Comment by Opening Date Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:28 pm
Many a good things here…

1) Goodwill. This allows some goodwill in races beyond some EFT. This is a business of addition, not subtraction and goodwill allows addition.

2) Geography. It’s one thing to be known in a region, but being part of things geographically allows not only getting knowledge to having folks learn about you “there”

3) Imbedded. Who is to say 1, 2, or 5 folks from all these races find their way to Illinois, strengthening the Dems in races, or having statewide directors imbedded in other state’s mechanisms isn’t a bad thing… ever.

4) Favors. Sure an EFF helps. When don’t they? Do a bit more, help a bit more, be a team player a bit more, not that a phone call or text isn’t being answered, it’s folks now feeling a bit more obligated to respond.

5) Wild Card. You never know how that one time you take a chance and reach out to a person, group, candidate, or state party how that can change things or change lives.

Heck yeah… “be involved”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:29 pm
It seems pretty normal to me.

he’s a relatively successful statewide politician in a relatively large state. Those guys almost always end up helping their party at a national level. Even moreso if they have even 1 molecule of further ambitions.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:29 pm
Fine by me. He has to do something with his time now that the legislature’s out of session and his campaign is shaping up to be a cakewalk.

Comment by Benjamin Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:39 pm
Glad he’s doing it. Hope he gets more donors on board in those races and more around the country. I also support his mission to apply dollars to races where a win really means something.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:42 pm
Developing good will is a plus for Illinois (and any future political ambitions JB might have). Success will also take off some of the pressure on Illinois (and California and New York) to solve all of the country’s social problems.

I just hope he has a better outcome than Griffin had in Illinois.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:43 pm
Leaders lead. More of this please.

Comment by West Sider Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:48 pm
He should spend big in MI and MN gov races and get his name out. Odds are that one of those states beats out IL for a spot as one of the first four primaries. The more Dems there are aware of JB and like him, the easier time he will have when he eventually runs for president.

Comment by The Real Downstate Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:52 pm
Nixon spent a lot of time and money collecting ‘chits’. He went on to become president.

Comment by Al Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 1:52 pm
I’m all for him helping out other governors, but not sure he should spend it in WI. The odds of the WI republicans not having a super majority after the next election are close to zero, with the maps the SCOTUS forced on us in WI, they only need to get 48% of the vote to get the super majority.

Comment by crow04 Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:06 pm
Absolutely. Pritzker is a leader in policy accomplishments and has financial abilities.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:08 pm
I really love what JB is doing regardless if it is a good move towards going to the white house.

Comment by Austinman Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:12 pm
Guess my comment got flagged and deleted because I didn’t refer to him as Richard [Nixon]. Oh well, the point remains. Smart play by JB, following a tried and true playbook.

Comment by ;) Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:14 pm
It’s a good thing. It validates that he’s generally doing a good job within the state and could set his sights higher on that basis. I don’t recall anybody seeking Bruce Rauner’s endorsement.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:18 pm
Cynically, I’m figuring he’s doing it to line up allies for a prrsidential run in 2 or 6 years.

And he’s got so much money he could spend a few hundred million and not even notice.

Comment by TJ Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:30 pm
Can’t hurt if he has presidential ambitions.

Comment by Nathan H. Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:36 pm
He can drop a mill here and a mill there as he sees fit but it makes the whole toilet fiasco even more crazy. What was he thinking?

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:36 pm
Him spending a bunch of money to successfully elect a Dem governor in Florida would be a pretty epic troll of Ken Griffin.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:40 pm
“My guess is, it’s good because he’s (Pritzker) is going to be term limited anyway”

- Fake Ken Griffin
Chicago Tribune, 2022

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 2:41 pm
This wouldn’t be happening if Irvin was the nominee.

Comment by Plus Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 3:02 pm
It’s a smart strategy . JB has been a big donor to Democrats for decades. Why stop now? If he wants , he can run for president with a lot of powerful politicians supporting him. He’s got the money, and he’s the Governor of the 6th biggest state. Hard not to notice he’s a top contender for 2024.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 3:15 pm
Very shrewd, and a counterweight to the Griffin / Uihlein bloc

Comment by Ares Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 3:41 pm
If it helps his presidential ambitions. In which case he might want to pick and choose which races he wants to intervene in. Florida might not be the wisest one.

Comment by Levois J Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 3:55 pm
An admirable way to spend his money.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 4:01 pm
Many a good things here…

1) Goodwill. This allows some goodwill in races beyond some EFT. This is a business of addition, not subtraction and goodwill allows addition.

2) Geography. It’s one thing to be known in a region, but being part of things geographically allows not only getting knowledge to having folks learn about you “there”

3) Imbedded. Who is to say 1, 2, or 5 folks from all these races find their way to Illinois, strengthening the Dems in races, or having statewide directors imbedded in other state’s mechanisms isn’t a bad thing… ever.

4) Favors. Sure an EFF helps. When don’t they? Do a bit more, help a bit more, be a team player a bit more, not that a phone call or text isn’t being answered, it’s folks now feeling a bit more obligated to respond.

5) Wild Card. You never know how that one time you take a chance and reach out to a person, group, candidate, or state party how that can change things or change lives.

Heck yeah… “be involved”

The one aspect that is lost is…….his only real qualifications for local….state,,,,,,national Politics ….is his checkbook.
Without it no one knows who he is….or cares.

Comment by Batman Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 5:10 pm
===The one aspect that is lost===

Yeah. No? No. The financial wherewithal is important but it seems in your smirky way…

===his checkbook. Without it no one knows who he is….or cares.===

Narrator: Pritzker is governor of the 5th largest state in America, speaking at the invitation of other states and candidates.

Keep up. Please. Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 6:49 pm
===Your thoughts on Gov. Pritzker becoming a player in gubernatorial races around the country?===

Does the Governor have any other rich friends he can get to help out? In this election cycle I think it is important for folks to support candidates that clearly support the idea of Democracy and Human Rights with any way they are able to. JB Pritzker is a rich man. He is able to support a lot.

JB Pritzker spent more on trying to improve our State constitution, so I don’t think there’s much here to complain about in him throwing funds at governors races in other states. He’s only spent chump change compared to his total wealth.

===Can’t hurt if he has presidential ambitions. ===

There’s better ways for him to be spending the money than throwing it at Governors races if he’s looking at a presidential bid. It is good that he understands the importance of a governors mansion.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 7:54 pm
Rich deletes comments from the right so who even cares?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 8:49 pm