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The
election, which saw millions of dollars injected in from several
billionaires, was one of the most expensive non-presidential
races in American history.
Hedge fund manager and billionaire Ken Griffin pumped $50
million into Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s campaign for the GOP
nomination for governor, and it appeared to be working, with
Irvin leading the other candidates in early polling.
That is when the Democratic Governor's Association, funded
partly by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, spent $30 million on advertising
against the early frontrunner. The group ran ads attacking Irvin
for his time as a criminal defense attorney. As a result,
Pritzker was accused of meddling in the GOP primary.
Pritzker and the DGA’s plan appears to be that conservative
state Sen. Darren Bailey would be one of the easier Republicans
candidates to beat in November. The group ran ads that said
Bailey’s policies “are too conservative for Illinois.”
“I think it’s obvious Gov. Pritzker thinks I’m the easiest
candidate to beat, and my message to Gov. Pritzker is ‘be
careful what you wish for because it’s coming right toward
you,'” Bailey said after declaring victory Tuesday night.
Bailey had his own backer, wealthy businessman Dick Uihlein, who
has given Bailey nearly $10 million in donations.
Despite being outspent, Bailey came away with the GOP nomination
over Irvin and several other candidates.
Other Griffin-funded candidates didn’t fare well either,
including John Milhiser for Secretary of State and Steve Kim for
Attorney General, who both lost in the GOP primary.
Griffin recently announced he is relocating his hedge fund
Citadel from Illinois to Miami, Florida.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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