|
In
2014, then Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner spent
$36 million to unseat Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. In 2018, Rauner
spent around $70 million, but that was far less than J.B.
Pritzker’s $160 million. Pritzker, now as governor, has given
himself $33 million so far this cycle for his campaign.
Last week, state Sen. Darren Bailey was leading the GOP field in
money with about $409,700.
“People have been burnt,” Bailey told WMAY when asked how he can
match Pritzker’s millions. “People are kind of stepping back.
You have to work a little harder to earn the money.”
Bailey questioned if the state is ready for another venture
capitalist running. Rauner was a venture capitalist.
Last week, Republican businessman Jesse Sullivan entered the
race. The 37-year-old started a venture capital firm out of
California and said in a campaign video he’s been running that
firm from his native central Illinois farm home in Petersburg
for the past five years.
All of Sullivan's $11 million came from out-of-state donors.
“They don’t have a particular interest or benefit here in
Illinois other than getting to see our politics nationally
change,” Sullivan said after his campaign announcement Thursday.
“They want a uniter who can actually change our divisive
politics and so they put that trust in me.”
The money is necessary to take on a billionaire governor, he
said.
“He has a vision for Illinois and I have a very different vision
for Illinois that’s gonna have to have the resources to take him
on,” Sullivan said. “And so we’re going to bring in a lot of
good people in this race to join us to be able to take him on.”
Bailey said he doesn’t want to discourage anyone from running
and sharing their story, but at the end of the day he said “if
simply the status quo of money buying a seat is true then we are
in a world of hurt not only here in Illinois but in this nation.
Businessman Gary Rabine has $287,300 on hand. Rabine said
Sullivan is from Silicon Valley and doesn’t reflect the values
of Illinois' Republican party.
“To defeat Pritzker’s War on Families, Illinois will elect a
candidate who is vested in the culture of small businesses and
families in Illinois, not California,” Rabine said in a
statement.
Former state Sen. Paul Schimpf’s campaign, which has $116,300 on
hand, didn’t return messages seeking comment.
|
|
