Connecting the Cash: Dunkin vs. Stratton
It's looking like a Super PAC vs. Union matchup in one of the most closely watched primary races of this election cycle, which has already seen over $1.4 Million in spending.
The battle is for the 5th State House District, where Democratic incumbent Ken Dunkin is facing a challenge from Juliana Stratton, the former Executive Director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council. Dunkin made news last year when he missed a crucial vote to override a gubernatorial veto, and again when he voted no to restore funding for childcare subsidies. Stratton, who has been endorsed by Democrat power players such as Karen Lewis, Toni Preckwinkle, and Secretary of State Jesse White, is expected to make a strong challenge with significant financial support from organized labor.
Ken Dunkin's interesting year has won him financial support from donors and committees traditionally aligned with Governor Rauner and the Republican party. Dunkin started 2016 with $226,000 in his campaign committee, but has since received a $500,000 donation
In addition to the funds contributed directly to Dunkin's campaign committee, a Super PAC is independently spending money supporting him.
IllinoisGO was seeded with $9 million in April of 2015 by just five donors. As an independent expenditure committee (Super PAC), IllinoisGO is prohibited by law from coordinating with any candidate, but can spend unlimited funds in support or opposition to whomever they choose. So far, IllinoisGO has spent a total of $338,000 on field work, mailings and television ads on behalf of the Dunkin campaign.
Funds Supporting Ken Dunkin
x
Funds available on 12/31/15 quarterly report
$225,829
Donations since 1/1/16*
$506,500
Funds spent by IllinoisGO
$338,000
Total Current Supporting Funds
$1,070,329
Stratton's campaign got a much later start and is playing catch-up in the fundraising department. She began the year with $70,000 in the bank, largely from organized labor donations. She has since raised over $318,000 more including almost $140,000 from AFSCME, $100,000 from SEIU and $50,000 from the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. So far no independent expenditure committees have spent money on her behalf, although IllinoisGO has spent $36,000 on ads against her.
Funds Supporting Juliana Stratton
x
Funds available on 12/31/15 quarterly report
$70,587
Donations since 1/1/16*
$318,700
Total Current Supporting Funds
$389,287
This race will likely be the most expensive legislative primary this year and may break spending records for the most expensive General Assembly race in Illinois history.
*Donations since 1/1/16 includes only contributions over $1,000 per State Board of Elections reporting requirements.
Data sourced from Illinois Sunshine and the Illinois State Board of Elections. Research provided by Scott Kennedy of Illinois Election Data.
Dem Dunkin talks after missing key vote in Springfield
Thursday, September 10, 2015
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) --
State Representative Ken Dunkin missed a key vote to override IL Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a labor bill. Democrats concerned that his independence could be contagious, especially among African-American lawmakers.
"It's incumbent upon black legislators to take the lead," IL State Rep. Dunkin said.
In his 12 years as a state lawmaker, Dunkin, a democrat, has never felt this kind of political heat. Last week he angered House Speaker Michael Madigan, Illinois' most powerful Democrat, by not showing up for the vote. Madigan was left short of the 71 votes needed to override Republican Governor Bruce Rauner's veto of a bill that would have removed Rauner from negotiations with state worker unions.
"Had Mr. Dunkin been here, there would have been 71 democrats voting to override," Madigan said on September 3, 2015.
"He's this omnipotent Speaker that controls and runs all. Why should I wear the jacket?" Dunkin said.
Political consultant and blogger Maze Jackson says the Dunkin defection changes the power paradigm in Springfield.
"When one guy breaks off the plantation it's got to make a lot of people in Springfield nervous, real nervous," Jackson said.
Governor Rauner says he did not ask Dunkin to miss the override vote, but admitted he and the South Side democrat talk frequently.
"He and I share a passion around economic empowerment, especially in the black community," Rauner said.
"If this governor wants to work with me, I'm working with him," Dunkin said.
Dunkin--a former Legislative Black Caucus chairman--says he is looking for common ground where Governor Rauner's "turnaround agenda" intersects with what says should be a turnaround agenda for the state's struggling African-American community.
"Today is the time that we have to take charge of our own destiny here," Dunkin said.
Above is from: http://abc7chicago.com/politics/dem-dunkin-talks-after-missing-key-vote-in-springfield/978095/
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