How much is it worth to have the governor’s ear?
For Illinois State Rep. Jay Hoffman, the answer may approach $900,000.
Hoffman, the Collinsville Democrat running for re-election this year, has no opponent in the March 21 primary and an unknown, under-funded Republican challenger in November. Yet newly filed campaign finance records show Hoffman raised more than $310,000 in the last half of 2005.
Combined with his previous balance, that gives Hoffman a total of $899,871 in cash on hand, records show.
That’s many times more than most, if not all, rank-and-file legislators in the Illinois Legislature, who often measure their campaign kitties in five or even four figures. In fact, Hoffman, with no real political battle anywhere on the horizon, is sitting on more cash than is available to three of the six mainstream candidates for governor.
The reason for Hoffman’s popularity among unions, law firms, industry groups and other donors from all over Illinois certainly has something do to with his 15-year tenure in Springfield. But even Hoffman admits that at least part of the reason is the perception that he is Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s point man in the Legislature.
Hoffman comes from the land of big lawyers and huge settlements.Thats how the last bill to knock these down got watered down.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 6:54 am
You have to get up pretty early in the morning to beat Rich Miller to a story, that’s for sure.
Comment by diane Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 8:46 am
Jay Hoffman is above reproach. He is a man of great integrity and one of the hardest working legislators
Comment by Deconstructing Circe Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 10:44 am
Has anyone else caught on?
Comment by The Great Pumpkin Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 11:51 am
Don’t think they have.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 12:10 pm
Rich, are you implying that Hoffman has raised money inappropriately? if so, i want you to be specific and bring up valid points to prove your case.
Comment by Deconstructing Circe Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 3:30 pm
That’s it. I’m not buying any more beers for Jay.
Comment by poor lobbyist Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 3:44 pm
Question. Would Hoffman be raising this large sum of money, if donors knew he has been backsliding on his original pro-life position? Hoffman runs as a STRONG pro-life candidate in his district, but doesn’t want that word to get out to others in the rest of the State.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 3:49 pm
Jay deserves all the budlight and pizza illinois has to offer. He is the personfication of perfection in an elected official. He’s a hottie. Have you really looked at that picture? He is the political Adonis.
Comment by Deconstructing Circe Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 6:04 pm
Rich, I would think someone who utilizes is “connections” like you do would be the last person to knock someone else who is doing the same thing. What do you have a personal beef with the guy?
Comment by pyrman Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 6:39 pm
Hoffman is a prolific legislator for progressive reform. His bills are substanstative and empathetic for those that are most in need. He is not a megalomaniac or looking for sychophants to appease his ego. He is genuine and that’s what makes him so unique among the IL legislature. It is his ability to empathize and look beyond the temporal fluidity of politics that makes him a great statesman.
Comment by Deconstructing Circe Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 8:58 pm
one would think such a great statesman could exercise some of that great empathy and slip Wyvetter $766 to get her fund to zip-o.
Comment by What the heck is Deconstructing Circe? Thursday, Feb 2, 06 @ 10:05 pm
Interesting photo selection, Rich — especially the background. Are you trying to tell us something?
Comment by Publius Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 9:35 am
LOL. No. But clicking the pic does tell a story.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 9:38 am