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* There are two distinct tracks currently developing in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. One is for “top underdog” status between Pawar, Biss and, to a lesser extent, Bob Daiber and Kurt Summers if he gets in.
The other developing track is for “acknowledged frontrunner” status between Kennedy and Pritzker. The Summers poll showed Kennedy leading the pack with 44 percent, so he’s a frontrunner, but Pritzker has the big dough. Unlike the other candidates, Kennedy needs to show he can raise the money to directly compete with Pritzker. I’m not sure this shows he can do that yet…
Businessman Chris Kennedy hasn’t released his full contributions for the first quarter, but according to records with the state Board of Elections, he has received at least $145,700. He also has contributed $250,100 to his campaign, which broke the caps.
Kennedy’s campaign on Tuesday said he is attending a fundraiser in New York, hosted by his sister, which is expected to reap $250,000 for his campaign.
Aside from his own contribution, Kennedy has so far reported raising less money this quarter than Pawar or Biss. And with the contribution caps off, you’d think he would be expecting to raise more than $250K at a Kennedy-hosted fundraiser in one of the wealthiest cities on Earth.
First quarters are usually a first-time candidate’s best quarters, but that isn’t happening with Kennedy. Still, there’s a very long way to go with a whole lot of unknowns in front of us and money isn’t everything.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 9:53 am
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Other than big boy himself and the Chicago press - is anyone actually interested in Pritzker? Looks like the Jeb Bush of IL politics
Comment by John Rawlss Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 9:57 am
Bruce Rauner, with the caps off, would pick up the phone and call Uihlein or Griffin or someone in Colorado, or whomever, and without an “event” or anything, secure $250K on up.
It’s becoming clearer that Kennedy’s own Rolodex has few people willing to go heavy-six, easy-seven figures when you are traveling, out of state mind you, for $250,000.
Not good…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 9:58 am
Kennedy’s ability to raise money is not a issue due to the fact it doesn’t matter how much he raises because Pritzker can just write a check for any amount. True issue is who can run a monster grassroots campaign.
Comment by Rocky Rosi Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 9:59 am
The difference, seemingly, between Kennedy and the rest of the pack (excluding Pritzker) is that the Kennedy network should allow him to sustain fundraising in a way the second tier of candidates likely cannot. But you’re right so far Rich, Kennedy is simply not putting the money where his campaign’s mouth is.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:00 am
Kennedy is a poll frontrunner currently on name only. Most Illinoisans don’t know a thing about him other than that name. If he thinks Pritzker and his money, or the apparently more aggressive upstarts like Biss and Pawar are going to let him coast on his name, he’s got another thing coming. Agree with OW that it’s not a good sign having to go back to the Kennedy east coast bastion to raise money to run a race here this early on.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:02 am
If your opponents are Pritzker and Rauner, you can never compete on money. Better beat them in message, free media and organization.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:05 am
Isn’t the person running Kennedy’s operation a hot-shot fundraiser?
Comment by FYI Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:08 am
$250k in a weekend for a primary is nothing to sneeze at. He’ll raise plenty to stay in the game and to get on TV and in mailboxes.
But Kennedy is neither battle tested nor a great communicator. And name only will only get you so far (see Simon, Sheila).
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:09 am
I think the Republican Primary in 2016 showed us that talks of “Tracks” is overblown. There’s no tournament bracket.
To the meat of the post, it’s always been a question if Kennedy’s presence in an affluent family would directly lead to lights-out fudraising (less of a question for Pritzker, but still worth wondering). If not, all he has is a nice name, and that’s not going to be enough.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:39 am
Clarifying here - isn’t it still possible that Kennedy raised a bunch of cash in large contributions? If Kennedy deposited a bunch of $1,000+ contributions on the last day of the quarter, won’t there be another A-1 today?
Comment by Crazy Like a Fox Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:40 am
Kennedy’s fundraiser is someone with a few years of Chicago experience only - not sure the right fit for this size of race. In fact, Kennedy’s team is a bit Chicago insular. Chris is a very smart and capable candidate, but not sure he realizes his team may be limiting his potential.
Comment by west Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:41 am
ARsenal, Forbes has JBs net worth at $3.4B. I don’t think there’s any wondering as to his fundraising ability.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:44 am
==I don’t think there’s any wondering as to his fundraising ability.==
Well, it’s worth wondering how much of that is liquid, but still, the bigger question is if he’s really willing to open up his own wallet. He says he is. Lots of people say they are.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 10:51 am
For people concerned about Rauner’s money in the general election, don’t you think that the Democratic party will get behind the primary winner if that person is Kenendy? As long as Kennedy has enough cash to run a decent campaign in the primary, he doesn’t really need to worry about saving up for the general election because that money is going to be there.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 11:33 am
===…(Kennedy) doesn’t really need to worry about saving up for the general election because that money is going to be there.===
Read Mike Noonan’s take on monies and how Kennedy (or any Democratic Nominee, other than Pritzker) might impact the Democrats’ down ballot and the statehouse chambers.
That’s the challenge for the Democrats.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 11:36 am
===it’s worth wondering how much of that is liquid,===
For the sake of argument, let’s say none of Pritzker’s fortune is easily converted into spendable cash. But if he’s only earning 1% per year on his investments, he’d be earning $34 million per year. Every year.
That’s not quite Rauner’s income, but let’s face, I suspect he’s earning way more than 1%. He’s not a babe in the woods either, being a finance chair for Hillary Clinton. He knows he’ll need to spend many millions to win the nomination, and many more millions after that. This isn’t his first campaign either. Trust me when i tell you, J.B. Pritzker will have all of the financial resources his campaign will require.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 11:55 am
An effective Kennedy candidacy will help all candidates downstate and in the collar counties … the last name is golden … the rest of the field will have to do a massive educational campaign while Chris connects easily based on the family legacy in the Democratic Party over the years.
Comment by Downstate Dem Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 1:09 pm
Remember what then-presidential candidate Barack Obama said in 2008: “The Kennedy family, more than any other, has always stood for what’s best about the Democratic Party and what’s best about America.” The Kennedy candidacy will evoke that feeling as Chris travels the state and that’s a powerful political potion.
Comment by Downstate Dem Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 1:11 pm
- Downstate Dem -
Kennedy going out of state for an event raising $250,000 isn’t instilling any real feel of Kennedy being drying enough to get the financial wherewithal to first compete with Pritzker, than with Rauner.
Names are only golden until they get tarnished in campaigns that don’t have the resources to respond to attacks.
To this…
===The Kennedy candidacy will evoke that feeling as Chris travels the state and that’s a powerful political potion===
“The Kennedy candidacy will evoke… ”
You are the soothsayer. Kennedy’s first appearances had him ducking in an elevator than explaining a family ailment.
Right now, Kennedy is evoking questions more than anything.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 1:19 pm
Completely superficial, but Kennedy looks horrible.
Unfortunately that matters.
Comment by Joe Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 1:31 pm
===it’s worth wondering how much of that is liquid,===
Oh, gag me. At $4.3B, you don’t think this guy can free up $100M with the snap of his fingers. That’s just nuts.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 2:02 pm
==Chris is a very smart and capable candidate==
…and he’ll be unveiling this attributes,when?
He’s smart and charming and extremely likable as a person. He’s none of those things as a “candidate”. He’s defined “incapable” as a candidate.
$250K funder in NYC with the Kennedy’s. That’s peanuts. They should say they’re raising money for a zoo or a arts center. They’d raise 4x that much.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Chris has been unveiling those qualities of connecting with people, of addressing the issues, of outlining how to change Illinois — during his visits to Rockford and Rock Island, Peoria and DuQuoin and elsewhere. OW — I know you dwell on his speech in the elevator which he agrees needs to improve but let’s fast forward to his trips around the state where he has been very well received by party leaders and activists. That may not fit your narrative, but that is what I’ve seen on the trail.
Comment by Dowstate Dem Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 2:47 pm
===…I know you dwell on his speech in the elevator which he agrees needs to improve but let’s fast forward…===
… which I have. You seem to forgotten the release on the daily ailment, and the fact that Kennedy is heading out of state for $250K, wasting a day, out of Illinois, for monies both Pritzker and Rauner can pick up a phone and have wired in minutes.
I know your ridiculous cheerleading spin has “bot-like” qualities, but your own narrative has questions.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 3:47 pm
“family ailment”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 3:48 pm
Chris may be unveiling a new, kinder, gentler version 2.0 for the county Chairmen which is fine, but he has to run on version 1.0’s history, including a shaky tenure as UI BoT Chair.
The salaries and buyouts paid to Kennedy’s UI “superstars” will make anyone forget about Donna Whatshername.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 3:49 pm
== This isn’t his first campaign either.==
But his only other one was a pretty abortive attempt like, 15 years ago, right? I’m just saying, he wouldn’t be the first rich guy to promise a lot more of his own money than he delivers.
==Oh, gag me.==
It’s OK, Guy, I understand. I know why you need to cherry-pick people’s comments here. It is entirely obvious.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 4:41 pm
Arsenal,
I hate to agree with A Guy (really hate to agree with him) but that’s a pretty thin reed of hope you’re holding onto if you think Pritzker can’t or won’t write the nine figure check. Between all that tech and other business, I’ve heard he’s made a ton of his own money in the last 20 years. I’m guessing he’s got access to a lot more dough now than he had when he was a 30something.
But I suppose we’ll soon see.
Comment by Anon0091 Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 5:42 pm
===I’m just saying, he wouldn’t be the first rich guy to promise a lot more of his own money than he delivers.===
Well, he’s no William Kelly, that’s for sure.
Nor is he Al Hofeld, Dick Phelan, John Schmidt, Dawn Clark Netsch, Blair Hull or any other millionaire Illinois Democrat.
There is a lot more substance to Pritzker than simply his wealth. He believes that politics and government can and should help people, that that is the point of the enterprise, and also to provide that help efficiently and well. He’s smart and he surrounds himself with talented people.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 5, 17 @ 9:28 pm