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Today’s number: $4,835,000

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Illinois

* By far the single most underreported political story of the season is the involvement of Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC…

Spending in the 2016 Illinois Primary Election may end up a record-breaker as Super PACs take aim at incumbents and challengers who have either opposed or supported Governor Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda.

One of those PACs - Liberty Principles PAC - has spent massive amounts of cash this year. As of Friday, the PAC, which is chaired and directed by radio talk show host Dan Proft, has spent over $4,835,000 on nine races throughout the state.

Starting with televison ads in late January, Proft’s PAC has reported spending thus far over $3,075,400 on mailings, robo calls, television and radio ads to boost law enforcement officer Bryce Benton of Springfield, who is challenging incumbent Republican State Senator Sam McCann.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:17 am

Comments

So, the two biggest races are Dunkin and McCann and he may lose both.

Comment by 4 percent Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:19 am
If you are part and parcel of the HGOP and/or the SGOP Political Apparatus, when do you look at this and come to the realization that…

… Rauner isn’t about growing the GOP or the GOP Caucuses, but about Rauner, Raunerites, and that the GOP is being held hostage because Proft is marginalizing Republicans for Rauner, and only Rauner, at a $4+ million clip.

It’s embasrrassing, it has to be, for the GOP GA operatives, is t it?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:21 am
===So, the two biggest races are Dunkin and McCann and he may lose both.===

Remember Proft’s own words in the Tribune?

“They” may lose before “They” win…

It’s about draining monies this time, and Dunkin and McCann.

Nothing. More.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:23 am
Proft must really turn on the sweet talk to charm those old rich dudes out of their money.

I mean, why him?

There are any number of consultants they could have bankrolled that have much better track records in winning elections.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:23 am
I get that they are making Dems spend $ but one needs to win elections in politics. It’s interesting that Proft is already trying to spin that other races he is involved with will be won. But THE key ones are if he loses the McCann & Dunkin races then it’s a terrible day for Gov and they should show Proft the door.

Comment by Springfield Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:26 am
Why do you think this is so under-reported? Is it because most reporters don’t think it’s newsworthy that Proft is frontman for a bunch of millionaires attempting to purchase electoral wins or because they don’t understand what is happening?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:27 am
Let’s all join together and say, “Thank you SCOTUS!”

Without the Citizens United case, Dan Proft just wouldn’t have the same influence. (snark)

Comment by In the Middle Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:29 am
Isn’t it wonderful how the “Citizen’s United” ruling has allowed for more free speech on the part of corporations? And … the “trickle down” effect!

Comment by forwhatitsworth Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:29 am
Citizens United — Money equals free speech.
Free Speech for everyone… It’s just that the rich a have a little more free speech than everyone else.

Comment by Rufus Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:30 am
There is a board of elections hearing today on this PAC’s campaign violations. After reading the article they have a good case for coordination.

Comment by said so Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:32 am
Rufus, well said.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:37 am
Reporting on campaign finance is scarce because the subject matter is technical, the players are not household names and the data is not easy to aggregate. But it’s also true that there just isn’t much interest in the details of the subject matter, it polls well but most people don’t care past the surface of being angry at the money.

After seeing this process go through the stress test of this cycle I think we’d be far better off with no contribution limits than the rules we have. They are arbitrary, easily bypassed (see the 95th), create different sets of rules for different participants and mostly just create an extra, more confusing way of tripping up well intentioned campaigns without actually limiting any money from coming into the political process. And it’s just harder to follow the money than it used to be.

Comment by The Captain Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:41 am
Why Proft?

‘Shamelessness’ is a political superpower. And Proft is a strange visitor from another planet.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:42 am
–Why do you think this is so under-reported? –

What media outlets are against more money in politics? Bite the hand that feeds you?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:44 am
When the media looks to political season for fund raising like the girl scouts look to cookie season, the chance that either group will oppose the “sweets” is pretty small.

Comment by Dilemma Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:46 am
===Why do you think this is so under-reported?===

I dunno. They spend a lot of time tweeting about silly stuff, so maybe that’s it.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:50 am
Just wait until the General. You ain’t seen nothing yet. Doesn’t matter how McCann or Dunkin do. There is going to be a mass double down either way. There is $40 mill available now there will be $80 mill come General Election time.

Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:53 am
I agree with Oswego Willy- it is not just embarrassing to GOP GA operatives it is insulting!

Comment by dixiechick Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 9:59 am
saving my response until tomorrow around 10PM..

Comment by Not Rich Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:00 am
===I dunno. They spend a lot of time tweeting about silly stuff, so maybe that’s it.===

Truer words were never spoken.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:03 am
Rich; not to make work for you but afte electin would be nice to se a won-loss score card. Maybe even with money per vote

Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:22 am
Tomorrow will tell us whether Conservatives’ dream of using great wealth to win elections will come true, that Proft is more powerful after his career as a candidate is over, than he was before. True populists, be afraid. Be very afraid.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:33 am
I cant believe that Rauner gave Proft all this money.Proft is and always will be a opportunist. He has never won any political race and never will.
This was given to him only because of his radio show and the listeners of that.

Comment by Snoopy Do Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:35 am
@ Oswego

With all due respect, Proft is trying to manage expectations and change the narrative of the story tomorrow if both Dunkin and McCann lose.

With respect to his words about how they may “lose before they win” I don’t see anything in his memo about winning 6 of 8. He’s only trying to point out wins.

Comment by 4 percent Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:36 am
- 4 percent -

With all due respect,

Read the Tribune editorial by Proft.

It wasn’t about managing expectations, it was about saying, very clearly, win or lose, big wins or big loses, this is s beginning, not an end, and not a finish line, but a starting gate.

Confusing that editorial as a way to manage expectations… or reading it as anything other than reminding us all that this is nothing right now but a beginning is on those looking too myopic at Benton and Dunkin and nothing else.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:41 am
Even if McCann hangs on, Rauner will have sent a warning to GOP legislators. If you vote against the Governor even one time, he will unleash Dan the Hitman on you and make you wish you never got into politics.

Comment by anon Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 10:44 am
5 Million dollars spent to distort the facts and mislead the voters. Brought to you by those who claim to always be taking the high road.

Comment by Saluki Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 11:01 am
Variations on a Theme — Citizens United

It sure would be a constitutional travesty if one branch of the federal government prevented another branch from operating.

What if Congress wouldn’t allow an election for President because they didn’t like the candidates?

What if Congress wouldn’t allow a 9 member SCOTUS panel because they didn’t like the candidate(s)? Oh wait, that’s actually happening!!

Citizens United will stand a good chance of being overturned when even a moderate gets nominated and seated as the 9th justice.. The operatives who claim to own the GOP know this.

The poor old GOP is going to pay the piper on this bad move, come November.

Comment by cdog Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 11:03 am
==…it was about saying, very clearly, win or lose, big wins or big loses, this is s beginning, not an end, and not a finish line, but a starting gate.==

Most frightening thing I’ve read in a long time. Might as well do away with state government and just have Boards of Directors and CEOs. The1% get to play shareholders and the rest of the great unwashed get treated like employees.

Comment by MSIX Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 11:24 am
The Acklin campaign filed a complaint with the state board of elections today about Liberty Pac.

Comment by 102 Voter Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 11:33 am
I could very well be wrong here, but I’m not sure if Citizens United applies here. Proft and co. is not a corporation using corporate funds to “speak.” He may be able to do this with or without Citizens United. Like I said, I might be wrong here.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 11:53 am
And an underreported aspect of this underreported story: the marginalization of Jim Durkin and Christine Radogno. Their relevance shrinks with every dollar raised and spent. As Oswego Willy points out, it’s the Rauner Party now, not the Republican Party.

Comment by TT Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 11:59 am
All this money and fighting in order to make me and my Illinoisan’s life better. Isn’t it just swell…

Comment by Mouthy Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:16 pm
and my “fellow” Illinoisan’s….

Comment by Mouthy Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:17 pm
–This was given to him (Proft) only because of his radio show and the listeners of that.–

That 1.3 share, tied for 25th in his timeslot, ain’t exactly a powerhouse.

–And an underreported aspect of this underreported story: the marginalization of Jim Durkin and Christine Radogno. –

The further marginalization of the already marginal is difficult to underreport.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:17 pm
They should be marganalized They are RINOS and useless as you know what on a bull.

Comment by Parkay Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:30 pm
- Parkay -,

Lemme guess, you think funding and working to elect Ken Dunkin is very Republican, LOL…

Being a Raunerite is tough.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:33 pm
===So, the two biggest races are Dunkin and McCann and he may lose both.

Yeah. And? It’s Dan Proft. Of course he’s going to lose. His go to move is pulling in an insane man to run for Senate.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:35 pm
Willy is right. Let me simplify it for you. The tactics used by a Rauner run political party are brutal and without conscious or class. The McCann/Benton campaign has turned into a knife fight with no rules. Nothing is off limits. The GOP will lose voters because of it. People get sick of seeing such dirt and may vote against that candidate bringing it up. In the long run those tactics fail. Rauner’s heavy handed tactics are hurting the party and there’s nothing the republicans can do about it.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:36 pm
===“They” may lose before “They” win…

—It’s about draining monies this time, and Dunkin and McCann.

This assumes a level of competence from Proft that has never been observed. I understand that’s his plan, I just have no indication Dan Proft can do it.

He’s good at selling crazy to rich people.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 12:37 pm
Does Proft’s PAC pay for his 4 hours every morning or does he get paid? There’s no difference between what his PAC is saying and what he says every morning. Are there rules about that?

Comment by Yossari Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 1:08 pm
I have had 20 robocalls/surveys at my home phone. Almost all Liberty Principles. I just started inconsistently making stuff up. I run into McCann regularly at various nonpolitical events. Have never heard Benton speak…..anywhere, about anything. After all the ads, I still have no idea what Benton stands for except generic statements and that he has been a state cop. His votes must cost somewhere in the $150 each range. Those are some heavy strings being attached.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 2:13 pm
Illinois should not vote Tomorrow.
NO STATE BUDGET ! NO VOTE ! SEE YOU IN NOVEMBER !

Comment by No Sense Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 5:23 pm
Complaints have been filed with the FCC, Danny boy, his side kick, along with the station have failed to disclose before each show their financial interest….. Didn’t Danny boy use $150K to pay off his campaign dept resulting in a failed run for governor?

Is Danny boy using the 8 news papers he has established to personally profit and promote his position?

It certainly appears to have a thread of personal economic gain, and fail to meet FCC’s policy of Sponsored Identification.

Lets hope multi million dollar fines are established for Salem Communication, his side kick and Danny Boy.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 7:57 pm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-kelly/election-board-to-review-_b_9446724.html

Proft’s “papers” under investigation-

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Mar 14, 16 @ 8:10 pm