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Pritzker says DPI won almost 80 percent of its 270 targeted local races (Updated)

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* We’ve already discussed how the Democratic Party of Illinois was involved in a bunch of local races during the consolidated elections. Gov. JB Pritzker updated reporters today on how the party did…

The Democratic Party of Illinois focused on about 270 races and and won almost 80 percent of those races. And those were the critical ones.

And I just point especially to DuPage County, where, before Juliana Stratton and I ran for governor in 2018, DuPage County was a reliable Republican county. It produced the most number of Republican votes. And in last night’s election, as has steadily happened in every election since we’ve been on the ballot and since 2018 - last night’s election was a route. Republicans lost almost everywhere. As I understand it, 48 out of 49 races the Democratic Party of Illinois was involved with were victorious for the Democrats. And I think in the 49th race, they’re still counting the votes, it’s that close.

And then, just to talk about the mayor’s races, look, I think people rejected those who were, you know, who were acolytes of Donald Trump. And look at Keith Pekau in Orland Park. Look at Richard Irvin, who, when he ran for governor, he tried to distance himself from Donald Trump, but then he threw a fundraiser, an event for Donald Trump in 2024. So I think there was a broad rejection of what Donald Trump and the Republican Party stands for, and Illinois Democrats had perhaps one of the best nights we’ve ever had.

Barack Obama narrowly won DuPage in 2012. Hillary Clinton won it by a mile in 2016. The trend started moving down-ballot and picked up steam in the past six years. Yesterday was a blowout in that county which reminded me of the way Democrats were stomped in 1994 almost everywhere.

Also, I’ve been trying to get a list of those 270 races to see how many were actually competitive.

* From DPI last night…

The Party’s mail and digital advertising investment reached hundreds of thousands of Democratic voters in target regions across Illinois, and highlighted the Trump–aligned conservatives on the ballot, as well as supported the credible, commonsense community advocates that DPI recommends. As part of the program, DPI launched https://votelocalillinois.com/, a candidate lookup tool to help voters find and support endorsed Democrats in their communities. In addition to supporting candidates already on the ballot, DPI and Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA)’s candidate recruitment program helped ensure that strong Democrats step up to run for local office in future cycles.

* Back to the governor, who was asked if last night’s results were about party organization or the current national mood…

I attribute it to both. I don’t mean to avoid picking, but honestly, the Democratic Party of Illinois has been organizing, recruiting candidates, doing the things that state parties do all across the country, but that the Democratic Party of Illinois had not done for decades. And it showed last night that that recruiting candidates, good candidates, matters. And that having an organization, or supporting local organizations from the state level and picking the races that are most important matters. So the organization and strength of the Democratic Party that we’ve built over the last two years or so is making a big difference.

There is a national mood. I mean, I felt that going around Illinois. There’s a, it’s felt everywhere. As you know, I had some gatherings of farmers, of people who are affected by the Medicaid cuts, for example, have met with people on Social Security cuts. And I can tell you, people are angry. And when I say people, it’s not just Democrats, it’s Republicans. People are mad. Veterans are not able to get the services they deserve in the timely fashion that they should be able to get them. People are seeing Social Security offices closed, and those offices for some people, are vital for being able to access, to talk to anybody. Going online is hard sometimes for someone, a senior citizen, if they don’t know how to navigate the Social Security website, or perhaps don’t even have high speed internet or their own computer. So people are feeling the effects of what Donald Trump is trying to do.

And let’s be clear what he’s trying to do, and what people are reacting to. He’s doing all these things, they call, they say it’s about government efficiency, but then in the next breath, they tell you about the $5 trillion tax cut that they’re attempting to pay for by making these cuts. So the anger is felt in Illinois, as it is across the entire country. And that did play a role, there’s no doubt, in turnout and in the actual results.

Please pardon all transcription errors.

…Adding… DuPage Dems…

Statement on Election Results from the Chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County, Reid McCollum:

“Democratic values prevailed across Illinois last night, especially in DuPage County. When all the votes are counted, we will likely win 49 of 49 (100%) of the contested partisan township races – 38 of these are outright flips, and 20 against GOP incumbents.

In both partisan and nonpartisan races, candidates prevailed who understand that local government plays a critical role in our community. From public schools to filling potholes and from mental health to economic development, voters trust Democrats and see the GOP as the party of division, extremism and corruption.

Last night’s unprecedented victories were the result of the hard work of countless people over decades. Our township Democratic organizations and their leaders worked unbelievably hard to recruit and support great candidates. The volunteers who knocked doors, made phone calls, and mailed postcards helped make sure voters knew about the election and who was on the ballot.

The Democratic Party of Illinois invested in important “air support” with mail, digital and text messages.

As the DuPage Dems, we recruited volunteers to mail 80,000 get out the vote postcards, sent over 400,000 text messages and generated 75,000 digital impressions – our first ever significant investments in consolidated elections.

DuPage County is officially a Democratic stronghold. We intend to keep it that way through good governance, hard work, and a continued belief in facts, sound policy and supporting the whole community rather than conspiracy theories, blaming others and benefiting only the ultra wealthy.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 11:56 am

Comments

My only concern is that the gov/dems are shouting too much about people not getting services and it’s too soon. There are many people saying, it’s now impacting me. But the truth is, it hasn’t yet, but it will. So, I’d be a little more patient and then when people are really feeling this impact on all the levels I think they will be, then lay it on super thick with many I told you so.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:17 pm
Stop talking about Rauner now?
One party state so time to own it all. Including Chicago transit and CPS. Now get to work and solve the problems.

Comment by 44 Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:21 pm
===Stop talking about Rauner now?===

In politics, you try to use what works.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:27 pm
Rainy day fund has less then some people keep in their checking accounts- RTA on the verge of insolvency as is CPS- worst pension funding on the country and second highest RE taxes- to borrow from Bush 43- JB and his cohorts are doing one heck of a job

Comment by Sue Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:28 pm
JB and his cohorts are doing one heck of a job

Imagine how well off we’d be if we didn’t get that Biden COVID bailout money.

Comment by Capcitynewt Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:32 pm
===Imagine how well off we’d be if===

Every state got that money.

Maybe focus on the campaigns, which is the topic here.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:35 pm
I saw that Elk Grove Township which had never elected any democrat for township board, elected a full slate of democrats for the first time since the Township was created in the mid-1800’s.

https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/historic-election-sees-democrats-take-control-of-elk-grove-township-board/

Comment by scurvydog Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:35 pm
@Sue has apparently not taken the president’s declaration of English as the official language in the US seriously. Or less day drinking?

Pick any state in the country and you will find issues. The rainy day fund has been reestablished by JB and his team and the pension is becoming less and less of a problem. JB just needs to keep his focus on good budgeting and economic growth.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:36 pm
County boundaries are artificial constructs.

In 2002 Democrats won four white collar suburban seats: Hamos, Nekritz, May, and Ryg.

The levy started to break in the suburbs in 2006 when Crespo won Hoffman Estates and Walker won Elgin.

By 2011 they had added the Coulson seat and Emily McAsey..

Today I think there might be more Democrats than Republicans reprsenting the white collar suburbs. GOP losses among college educated voters, especially women, have been huge.

Add to that the low turnout election where government workers are over-represented as the Trump administration eviscerated government employees, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Kudos to DPI for baking the cake, but the ingredients were all sitting on the counter.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:38 pm
==Stop talking about Rauner now?==

It’s a lot easier and faster to tear down than to build up or rebuild.

Comment by Anon324 Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:40 pm
“Imagine how well off we’d be if we didn’t get that Biden COVID bailout money.”

Okay, I’ll play.

Imagine how well off we’d be if we got every cent back from Washington that we sent it.

You know, instead of being one of the handful of states keeping this whole magilla afloat.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:55 pm
As a general principle, you can never say enough bad stuff about Rauner. His memory lives on, even though he’s skedaddled to Florida.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 12:59 pm
Some people have more than $2 billion in their checking accounts, Sue? Wow. That’s…neat. I would wager that anyone that wealthy has their money tied up in investments so their money is working for them, but you’re still good for a chuckle.

Comment by Jimmy Hart's Megaphone Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:00 pm
==JB and his cohorts are doing one heck of a job==

I guess so because the Democrats continue to win over and over again. But you keep up your incessant whining without acknowledging your side’s arguments are losers.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:04 pm
Another obvious explanation of the Irvin and Pekau defeats is voter fatigue. Both politicians had been in office for years and were unsuccessful in their bids to seek higher offices. Irvin failed in a gubernatorial campaign. Pekau lost a race for Congress.

Sometimes, politicians seeking higher offices are viewed as not caring about the present positions or neglecting their local duties. Word to the wise, Governor Pritzker.

Comment by Gravitas Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:35 pm
Quiet as it’s kept, that Biden COVID bailout money was actually Trump COVID bailout money.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:36 pm
your side’s arguments are losers. Hmm.

Defund the police
Black lives matter
Men playing in women’s sports
Open borders
Harboring illegal immigrants
No cash bail
Voter ID
Student loan bailouts

And on and on.

Comment by Capcitynewt Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 1:50 pm
Typed in my address and only got the College of Lake County election portion of my ballot. The rest of the ballot were uncontested races in Moraine Township, Highwood, Highland Park and Lake Forest including municipal, school and library contests. On the Lake County college front they claim I needed to vote for one for a six year term. Reality is the ballot called for voting for no more than two. Clerk’s website also called for voting for no more than two. So I did in fact vote for two in spite of being mislead or misinformed or both. Both votes were cast for Republicans who finished strongly at 1 and 2 and did not share the values of the Democratic website. And right now both Republicans finished 1 and 2 by such a large margin that I do not foresee enough late arriving mail ballots to change the results over the next two weeks.

Which begs the question. How many of these on the website were also screwed up, misled voters, and are they also claiming victory in my example where the top two vote getters were both Republicans and the third place finisher was behind by roughly 5,500 votes which looks insurmountable right now. Are they also adding the uncontested races?

Questions the Democratic Party leadership will need to be confronted with.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 2:17 pm
“Rainy day fund has less then some people keep in their checking accounts … ”

Rainy Day Fund

06/30/2023 $1.9 B
06/30/2024 $2.1 B
04/01/2025 $2.3 B

Data from IOC website

Not sure how many people keep that sort of “loose change” in their checking accounts.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 3:13 pm
@Capcitynewt:

How are things working out for you in Illinois? Yes, you’re arguments are losers. You and your ilk’s continued failure to recognize that will keep your side in the super minority.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 4:14 pm
Speaking of Rauner, I really miss “Dad’s Home State.” They took the reruns off HBO, so I can’t watch them anymore.

Oh well. Time marches on.

Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Apr 2, 25 @ 5:30 pm