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* Sun-Times…
In the heated primary for attorney general, Democrats tried to raise money quick after incumbent Lisa Madigan’s surprise decision not to seek re-election. State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, reported $781,825, spent about $109,000 and has $1.079 million on hand. He received $5,000 from Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, and smaller contributions from other fellow Democratic lawmakers. And he took in $10,000 each from Top Tobacco, Top Tubes and Republic Tobacco, all contributions that have been criticized by some of his opponents.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn received about $79,000 in contributions for his bid for attorney general, including a $55,400 transfer from the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters PAC. He spent $32,496.08 and has $278,714.04 on hand.
Former Civilian Office of Police Accountability chief Sharon Fairley received more than $195,000 in contributions, and reported a $300,000 loan from herself. She has $387,840 on hand. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti took in $345,000 in contributions and spent about $146,000. He has a bit more than $198,000.
State Rep. Scott Drury, D-Highwood, took in $506,000 in contributions and spent about $72,100. He has $731,187.94 on hand.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering took in more than $452,000 in contributions and $178,000 in loans. She spent $146,000 and had $574,383 on hand.
Chicago Park Board President Jesse Ruiz took in about $449,000 in contributions and loaned himself $100,000. He spent $194,000 and had $355,147 on hand.
Attorney Aaron Goldstein reported nearly $18,000 in contributions and loaned himself $185,000. He spent nearly $30,000 and has $206,959 on hand.
* Meanwhile, on the GOP side…
Erika Harold opposed legalizing marijuana back in 2014 when she ran for Congress — but on Tuesday, the Republican attorney general candidate said she believes Illinois should start “exploring” legalization.
She noted that there is a push in Illinois to legalize pot, and the state should be ready.
“I want Illinois to prepared for that because I think that’s ultimately where we’re going to be,” Harold said. “And I think we want to be prepared to deal with it in a way that makes sense and that protects people as much as possible.” […]
While Harold — who lost a bid for Congress in 2014 to U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis — criticized outgoing attorney general Lisa Madigan for over-politicizing her post in fighting President Donald Trump’s policies, the Harvard-educated lawyer and former Miss America on Tuesday also took issue with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ memo that rescinded a policy that discouraged federal prosecutors in most marijuana cases from bringing charges wherever the drug is legal under state laws. It essentially allows federal prosecutors to more aggressively prosecute marijuana laws.
* Back to the Democrats…
Then there’s state Rep. Scott Drury of suburban Highwood. He’s the real black sheep of this august group, the bete noir of a party establishment led by Democratic state party chairman and all-powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Madigan not only doesn’t want Drury to win the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for his daughter’s current job, he also doesn’t — make that didn’t — want Drury in the race at all.
That’s why powerful Democrats tried — and failed — to knock Drury off the ballot with a clever ploy to challenge the legality of his candidate filing.
Was Madigan behind the effort?
He’s too clever to leave his fingerprints behind. But Madigan’s chief of staff, Tim Mapes, obtained copies of Drury’s petitions, and Drury was the only candidate whose petitions were challenged by party regulars.
As I told subscribers weeks ago, Mapes pulled petitions for just about every candidate in just about every race throughout the state.
* Related…
* Dems try to stand out in attorney general primary
* Candidates for Illinois Attorney General discuss women’s issues, Trump: Chicago resident Milton Davis said he was impressed with the candidates’ qualifications and answers. Still, Davis said it was hard for a specific candidate to stand out in a crowded field with similar progressive views. “There was not any one,” Davis said. “I saw some of the same answers come from different people.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:37 pm
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Bete noir? I thought he was a former federal prosecutor.
Comment by friendofthedevil Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 12:46 pm
Rich - as you mentioned Harold in the post but not how much she raised, do you think she’s on track - or off track - to wage a competitive race?
Comment by DarkHorse Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:13 pm
When do the ads start?
Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:14 pm
**Rich - as you mentioned Harold in the post but not how much she raised, do you think she’s on track - or off track - to wage a competitive race?**
There is only one answer to this question. She’s on track if Rauner gives her substantial money.
Comment by JoeMaddon Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:18 pm
I think I will vote for Drury.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:20 pm
JoeMaddon is correct.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:20 pm
===I think I will vote for Drury.===
I’m still undecided. I’m either voting for Hampton or Holiday Inn.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 1:33 pm
Sun-Times should actually read…discount loans, Rotering and Ruiz raised the most in indivdual contributions. Raoul had $432k transered in from PACS & unions.
Comment by cpcsco Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 2:05 pm
==discount loans, Rotering and Ruiz raised the most in indivdual contributions. Raoul had $432k transered in from PACS & unions.==
The advertisers and staffers don’t care if it’s PAC money or individual contributions.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 3:04 pm
==- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 3:04 pm:==
And the truth is if Ruiz or Rotering were incumbents in state legislative positions or another statewide office or Congress, they’d have a ton of PAC money. A lot of PAC money on the D side is labor anyway.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 3:14 pm
Goldstein raised his hands. He might actually do a good job!
Comment by Puddintaine Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 3:29 pm
Ruiz’s burn rate is unsettling. Same with Mariotti considering his raise.
Comment by LakeEffect Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 3:41 pm
Rotering’s A-1s shows she’s having a strong fundraising start to 2018. Given the environment and only 2 D women running, you could see her very much in the mix on election day
Comment by DarkHorse Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 4:09 pm
I’m surprised how much Drury has raised.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 4:45 pm
–I’m surprised how much Drury has raised.–
Don’t be.
$295k are loans from Druryad his father.
Comment by King Louis XVI Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 5:14 pm
–That’s why powerful Democrats tried — and failed — to knock Drury off the ballot with a clever ploy to challenge the legality of his candidate filing.–
Such a clever ploy. Everybody and their brother from both parties have only been challenging petitions forever. It’s SOP if it looks close.
Rauner tried to get the Libertarians bumped lock, stock and barrel last time out, and sent pistoleros to the homes of petition passers allegedly to “investigate” whether they were kosher. Or intimidate them.
And last week candidates all over the state got bounced from Dem and GOP primary ballots.
But who is this Betty Noir? Is she a bartender at Legends?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 7:58 pm
Kwame wins 38% Quinn 30% the field splits the rest.
Comment by the Cardinal Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 10:56 pm
I’d like to have an attorney general who doesn’t take money from big corp :/
Comment by powerpuff Thursday, Jan 18, 18 @ 11:48 am